The 2020 NWSL season has been nothing if not strange, and under unusual circumstances, the Washington Spirit fell 2-1 to Sky Blue FC amid late drama at both ends in the league’s Fall Series opener. Adding to the strange nature of the day, the defeat broke a ten-game unbeaten streak (9W-1D-0L) between the Spirit and their rivals from New Jersey.
With no fan presence inside the venue — though the Spirit Squadron, socially distanced in the parking lot, chanted throughout the match — a first half goal from Ifeoma Onumonu appeared set to stand up as the game-winner, but an 89th minute penalty kick from Paige Nielsen brought the Spirit level.