WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Spirit closed the NWSL regular season Sunday with a 2-0 win over Chicago Stars FC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., a result that clinched the third overall playoff seed and a home quarterfinal.
The first half ended scoreless. Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher stopped a chance from Ashley Hatch in the 33rd minute, and Spirit keeper Sandy MacIver turned away a shot from Mallory Swanson. Washington finally broke through in the 62nd minute, when pressure from defender Lucia Di Guglielmo led to an own goal by Chicago defender Michelle Alozie.
Trinity Rodman sealed it in the 85th minute, finishing a cross from second-half substitute Clara Luvanga for her 12th goal of the year. The defense held on through 10 minutes of stoppage time for the club’s 12th shutout. A crowd of 19,322 made it the sixth sellout of the season at the Buzzard Point stadium.
Washington finished 17-9-4 with 55 points. Next up is sixth-place Portland Thorns FC on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. at Audi Field, the third straight season the Spirit open the postseason at home. The club has sold out four home playoff matches over the past two years and has reached two straight championship games.
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