The Washington Spirit started the Richie Burke era off right, defeating Sky Blue FC 2-0 in the NWSL season opener for both sides. Rookie Sam Staab scored the game’s only goal, powering a shot through traffic in the 59th minute following a Mallory Pugh corner kick. Deep into stoppage time, Megan Crosson padded Washington’s lead with a point-blank header following another cross from Pugh.
The visitors started the game on the front foot, pinning the Spirit in with a high line. An 11th minute cross from Nahomi Kawasumi picked out Imani Dorsey at the back post, and the Maryland native floated a clever header over Aubrey Bledsoe only to be denied by the crossbar.