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WASHINGTON — The Washington Spirit dominated possession, took 23 shots and lost anyway, falling 1-0 to the Orlando Pride at Audi Field on Sunday evening.
Orlando needed three minutes. Off a fast break, midfielder Haley McCutcheon collected a low cross and finished first-time past Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. It was the only goal Orlando managed all night, and it was enough.
Washington had chances, and the woodwork had answers. In the 12th minute, Sofia Cantore and Tamara Bolt each struck the post from inside the Orlando box. In the 40th, Bolt stripped an Orlando defender and found Trinity Rodman at the top of the area, but Rodman dragged her shot wide. Just before halftime, Rodman crossed for Tara Rudd, whose header cleared the bar.
The Spirit went into the break with eight shots and more than 70% possession, and no goals.
The final numbers tell the same story. Washington outshot Orlando 23-10 but put only three on target, one more than the Pride managed. Orlando goalkeeper Cosette Morché made three saves; MacIver made one.
Forward Ashley Hatch entered in the 74th minute to a loud welcome, her first appearance at Audi Field in more than 15 months. She nearly delivered the equalizer. With the referee having added 11 minutes of stoppage time, Hatch met a corner in the fifth minute of added time and clipped the top of the crossbar. Moments later, Gift Monday — on at halftime after returning from this summer's WAFCON tournament — got free at the back post and headed into the outside netting.
The whistle came after nearly 102 minutes.
Barbra Banda was booked for Orlando in the 69th minute, Gabrielle Carle for Washington in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The loss leaves the Spirit second in the NWSL table. They stay home Sunday to host Bay FC in the sides' second and final regular-season meeting, kicking off at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
