The Washington Spirit have successfully appealed Sam Staab’s early red card from last weekend’s 3-2 loss to NJ/NY Gotham FC. The NWSL Independent Review Panel agreed with the Spirit’s appeal, and Staab’s red card has been rescinded. As a result, she will be available to face Racing Louisville this weekend.
Staab was sent off early in the game after bringing Gotham attacker Midge Purce down as the pair ran into the Spirit penalty area, but only after a convoluted series of events.
First, referee Karen Collado gave a red card to Paige Nielsen rather than Staab, despite Nielsen having made no contact with anyone on the play.