The Washington Spirit would love to comfortably win a playoff game. Score early. Manage the match. Maybe add an insurance tally, just for kicks.
Yet this Spirit squad seems addicted to drama. A year after advancing to the NWSL final on the strength of an extra-time win and a shootout triumph, the Spirit continued its adrenaline junkie ways with a 3-1 shootout victory after a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at Audi Field.