Washington Spirit found their breakthrough after the interval and finished the job late, beating Chicago Stars FC 2–0 at Audi Field on Sunday, November 1, in the National Women’s Soccer League. Michelle Alozie’s own goal in the 62nd minute put the hosts ahead before Trinity Rodman added the second in the 85th minute.
Goalless at the break
Neither side could find a goal in the opening half, leaving the fixture finely balanced at the interval. Ashley Hatch received a yellow card in the 22nd minute, the only booking before halftime.
Washington finished with 62.4 percent possession, but Chicago’s attacking numbers showed this was no one-way contest. The visitors registered 19 shots to the Spirit’s 17 and put four attempts on target, compared with Washington’s three. Chicago also earned eight corners to the hosts’ six, yet could not turn those opportunities into a goal.
Alozie own goal breaks the deadlock
The decisive spell came shortly after the restart. Chicago’s Alozie was booked in the 56th minute, followed by teammate Tessa Dellarose in the 60th. Two minutes later, Alozie’s own goal handed Washington a 1–0 lead and changed the complexion of a previously goalless contest.
The Stars remained within one goal until the closing stages, but Washington’s clean sheet ensured there would be no route back through an equalizer.
Rodman provides the finishing touch
Rodman delivered the second goal in the 85th minute, giving the Spirit a two-goal cushion as the fixture headed toward its conclusion. Washington then saw out the remaining minutes, including an extended period of stoppage time, to secure all three points.
For the Spirit, the result paired control of possession with a clean sheet and two decisive second-half moments. Chicago departed with the greater shot and corner totals, but Washington made the difference where it mattered: the goals.
