The Washington Spirit are in the 2021 NWSL Championship game, as they take on the Chicago Red Stars today at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville. Sometimes you don’t have to dress things up. The mere fact that these teams — the Spirit coming through a decade’s worth of crises in a little over three months, and Chicago coping without nearly half their starting lineup — have made it to the final is staggering.
It also means NWSL history, as today’s winner will lift their first trophy ever. For the Spirit, a win today would put the ghosts of a heartbreaking 2016 to rest.