The Washington Spirit host the Chicago Red Stars for a rematch of the 2021 NWSL Championship game. You may recall that it went quite favorably for the Spirit, completing a dramatic 2-1 comeback with the winning goal coming in added extra time.
However, both teams are quite different from that day. Washington head coach Kris Ward has had more time to fully implement his preferred style of play, particularly more sustained pressing. While the Red Stars have a new coach altogether after then-head coach Rory Dames was allowed to step down the day after the championship, and just ahead of allegations of abuse reported by Molly Hensley-Clancy of the Washington Post.