Following a hiatus of of just over five weeks, the NWSL returns today, kicking off its Fall Series with a match between the Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC. For the Spirit, it’s their first action since being upset by their New Jersey-based opponent during the NWSL Challenge Cup. That penalty kick defeat upset the Spirit’s dominance of the rivalry between these two sides, as Washington had won nine straight meetings before being held to a scoreless draw.
Circumstances have changed since then. While the Spirit have seen Rose Lavelle depart the club, Sky Blue have former Spirit attacker Mallory Pugh ready to debut after injury kept her out of the Challenge Cup.