The Washington Spirit face the NWSL-leading Portland Thorns tonight in a game that is equal parts difficult and important. The Spirit are by no means out of the playoff race, but they’re at the point where they need to get results every time they step on the field, and that includes this tough road game in Oregon. The Thorns (33 goals) are the league’s top-scoring team despite only playing 7 of their 17 games at home. At Providence Park, they’ve averaged over 2 goals per game, and have only conceded 6 times.
The task sounds monumental, but there are reasons for the Spirit to have some confidence.