What a treat, a late season game of the NWSL on a national broadcast. A pair we know, JP Dellacamera and Lori Lindsey on the call, terrific to hear familiar voices.
In this early going both have had some good looks on goal. A pair of corners or not for Reign as they are checking on a possible handball on the first for a PK. The call stands here comes #2, driven in headed a bit far to the side, each team has it in the same half, now OL makes a poor pass and it is gone, back deep in their defensive 3rd. A lot of back and forth here neither team able to get much going, a ball in by Reign is too forward, the GK steps off her line with no issue. Dangerous passes in their defensive area but Spirit get it out, many lateral passes by OL and finally it is in the other half, a driven ball, right to the GK. Rodman is down, not a good thing for her team or the league as a whole. It would appear to be a non contact injury, those are usually bad. She has walked off under her own power not limping. Rodman collects the ball well, loses her mark but is well over the bar. A deep foul on Hatch has a DFK for the Spirit from the side of the goal about 30 yards out, Staab is over the ball. Into the area nodded a bit wide then the 2nd ball shot into the side netting by Rodman, no lasting effects evident. Sanchez sends a ball in from wide, but very high the GK camps out below and reels it in. Reign with great ball control about ten passes in and back over the center mark, into the area and shot well wide. Can’t tell if it was played in to the 6, the player was not near it or shot wide. Rodman fouled, Staab on the kick at the touchline equal to the bottom of the center circle, the ball off a few, Spirit throw. very deep, Staab takes it. Lindsey tells of her throw in being like a corner, yes, to the edge of the 6. Staab goes 40 yard in the air right to the head of her target. Another throw like a corner on the way just shy of the 6, 2nd ball slowing on goal into the hands of the GK. Hatch out to Sanchez, her cross headed away, now Rodman for Sanchez, the ball inI goes for her throw. That leads to a corner, to be taken by…Staab, is she paid by the restart? Boxed out, bounces on to Rodman she barely makes contact. 40 minutes in, nobody putting their stamp on this game in any way shape or form. Rodman too nonchalant on the ball, losses it her through ball for Latsko who gets tripped up by Staab on a professional foul. The restart leads to a go on goal right at the GK. Fishlock with a blast right in the defender in her “natural” position with her hands behind her back. Parsons carded, his assistant was blocking the view of the ref in issuing it. Off along ball from a restart, Spirit gets a corner, all by Staab shot into the area as 2’ of stoppage time begins is headed goal ward, but just wide.
Seconds in 2 collide and are shaken up if nothing more. The Reign a few shots, balls in and creating, finally a lofted ball on goal is brought down by the GK. It’s happening again, Reign holding it, getting off a quality shot, many more possessions like this will lead to a goal. Sanchez beats the defense and sends a rocket to the edge of the 6 for Hatch it bounds off her out of play. Rodman from just in the area and it is barely tipped over the bar. Her ball from Hatch is missed by Sanchez, now Staab on a throw who feeds Rodman who first sought to take the throw, Staab again with the restart. She gets yet another throw, wonder what her pitch count is? Sanchez, unable to find an option lets it rip from 30’, should have kept looking as it went wide left. Sonnet takes a soft yellow in the air to stop a ball and makes contact with the player. Sullivan carded for yet another professional foul on a break. Rodman for Sanchez at speed one too many cuts on the ball and loses it deep in the area. Brown has her pass go a bit long is played out then she takes her throw. Staab shields the ball as it goes over the end line, let’s see if she takes the Goal kicks as well, all but, as it is given to her mere feet from goal. Reign can’t turn to shoot, Spirit cannot take it and a long ball is pick up by the Spirit GK. Spirit with a quick cross and headed ball off the mark. Sanchez trying to catch the GK off the line gives it a go from distance, I drifts wide left. Less than ten to go, it is end to end and Reign missed by not much on a partially deflected shot. A caution at 84’ as Staab takes another kick. Spirit with many passes, Sullivan sends one in, the GK out jumps the offender. 86’ a misstep and Reign get a corner. 2nd ball partially cleared, sent in the GK and teammate collide, neither are hurt. A tie helps all but those who are in this game. Foul on Reign, Spirit in no rush to get the ball in play. As the clock his 89’ great shot by Spirit parried over the bar, Bailey a late sub would have loved that going in. 5’ stoppage time at minimum. Both teams have been in on goal of late a goal may be in this game after all. The ball in for the Reign, way too long. Staab for Rodman away, and back she is stopped at the line as she goes far post with accuracy but not well enough. Hatch on the corner to the edge of the 6, it is cleared out. Rodman denied at the top of the area, gets it again, enters the area lets go a rip and again the GK is up to it. Caution in extra, extra time to Spirit. This DFK from 40 yards should be the last thing of this game. Played short then in and out again it is whistled dead before it goes out of touch.