The Washington Spirit finished 2021 on an incredible run, and they’ll be looking to carry that into 2022 in today’s NWSL Challenge Cup opener against the Orlando Pride. Despite the Challenge Cup being seen by teams league-wide as a tournament lacking the importance of the regular season, the Spirit established a winning culture late last season, and as such expectations remain very high for the 2021 champs.
A trip to Orlando, who have brought in coach Amanda Cromwell from UCLA and have looked to renovate a roster that frankly needed it, will be an intriguing test after a preseason that saw Washington have two friendlies cancelled, making this the first game they’ve played in 2022 where the full squad is together.