Spirit claim NWSL final berth after dramatic shoot-out

A pulsating NWSL semi-final championship clash at Audi Field was eventually resolved on a penalty shoot out.

Football can be a cruel game. As the clock at Audi Field hit the 90 minute mark, Gotham FC players and coaching staff would have felt that they had done enough to secure a place in then 2024 NWSL Championship final in Kansas City. The side from the Big Apple were leading 0-1 and in control as seven minutes of added time were confirmed.

Things looked bleak for the Washington Spirit as stoppage time began as the home side were awarded a free-kick deep inside the Gotham FC half after a foul from Jenna Nighswonger in the 103rd minute.

Makenna Morris took the kick and delivered a solid pass toward the center of the box and Hal Hershfelt rose to head the ball into the left corner of the net to tie the game to the delight of a capacity crowd in Washington.

Earlier, Gotham took a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute as Yazmeen Ryan delivered a left-footed cross toward the center of the box and Esther Gonzalez then sent a header toward the right corner that trickled into the net.

The game went to extra-time and with nothing to choose between both teams, a penalty shoot out to see which side would be the first to stake a claim in the 2024 final.

Shoot-out drama

Aubrey Kingsbury was imperial for Washington in the shoot-out as she saved all three shots with Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano and Tara McKeown keeping a cool head and bagging all three spot kicks to end a marathon and enthralling contest.

The second-seeded Spirit advance and will face the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final as Orlando Pride face Kansas City Current.

The final will be staged on Saturday, 23 November, at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City with the Spirit looking to add the 2024 title to their previous sole win, back in 2021.