The rematch of the 2021 NWSL Championship ended 1-1 as the Chicago Red Stars' early goal was cancelled out by a late equalizer by the Washington Spirit. The draw is already the Spirit’s fourth of the season, and fourth consecutive. Considering the Spirit only drew six times all last season, this brutal stretch of matches is already having an impact that will likely be tangible enough to point to on the final table.
The match began a grossly hot and dry Wednesday evening with zero cloud cover. The venue and surface at Segra Field led to some precautionary absences from the start, with Red Stars coach Chris Petrucelli naming Mallory Pugh on the bench and Kris Ward opting to do the same with Andi Sullivan.