Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
It is still early in the 2025 NWSL season but the Washington Spirit might have just put up one of the best draw game endings we have seen in quite some time.
The way tonight’s finish was set up came from the aggressive nature of the game. There didn’t seem to be many shots that weren’t contested and the level of play in the second period caused the extra time and ultimately set up the finish.
The Spirit got a stoppage-time goal off a header from Casey Krueger to draw even at 3-3 with the Utah Royals at Audi Field.
Utah set the tone in this game early when Brecken Mozingo’s fired a shot past Kingsbery and the goal was Utah’s first non-penalty goal in six matches, dating back to March 22, and it was the first three-goal performance for the Royals since October. Utah came into the game tonight with just a total of four goals coming into Saturday.
If the Spirit want to take anything positive away from the draw game today, it was that they were part of history. You might say it doesn’t seem like anything was historic about this game, but the Royals and Spirit set an NWSL record with four goals scored in the opening 22 minutes of Saturday’s match at Audi Field.
Both Monzingo and Cece Kizer notched their first goals of their NWSL careers for Utah tonight.
In addition to a NSWL record, the Spirit marked their 11th match at Audi Field with an attendance over 15K since the start of 2024! Even without Trinity Rodman, this team continues to be one of the big draws in the NWSL and their record continues to soar right along with it.
Prior to tonight’s game, Spirit Defender Rebeca Bernal was called up to the Mexican National Team.
Next up for the Spirit is a trip on the road to face Seattle on May 23 before returning home to face the North Carolina Courage.
