Finally, someone broke the stalemate. But it was the visiting Chicago Red Stars who struck first, leaving the Washington Spirit desperate to even the score.
For weeks, Spirit players and first-year coach Richie Burke emphasized how they have pushed opposing defenses into their own territory. That’s not the problem. Where the Spirit has struggled time and again is in the final third of the field, on the last leg of long runs. So late in the match, Burke yelled to his defense: “Press! Press!”
And still nothing. The Spirit couldn’t initiate and convert, and it was left with a 1-0 loss Saturday night at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds.