The Washington Spirit didn’t have a ton of the ball, but showed a steely resolve in gritting out a 0-0 draw against Portland Thorns FC. Despite being out-shot 21-5 and losing USWNT attacker Mallory Pugh to a first-half injury, the Spirit were largely able to frustrate the Thorns, who only looked truly dangerous in a few bursts late in both halves.
Portland had a surprise in store for the Spirit, fielding a 3412 lineup rather than their more customary 4231. However, despite the Thorns having plenty of possession and getting numbers into the attack, the game’s only notable early chance either way came as a turf bounce caught Sam Staab off-guard.