After three straight games where they did well enough to win only to lose or tie, the Washington Spirit travel cross-country to take on Portland Thorns FC tonight. Washington’s best performance of the season is likely their previous meeting with the Thorns, who they managed to bottle up for all 90 minutes at the Maryland Soccerplex en route to a 1-0 victory. It’ll take an even better performance this time around if the Spirit are to get a much-needed win.
Key player: Meggie Dougherty Howard
Dougherty Howard has quietly been among the NWSL’s best rookies this year, firmly establishing herself in central midfield for the Spirit over the past two months.