The Washington Spirit handed reigning NWSL champion Orlando Pride its first loss of 2025 on Saturday with a 1-0 win despite a slew of injuries for the visitors. Nigerian international Gift Monday sealed the victory in the 63rd minute in her second game for the Spirit.
Ahead of the match, Washington listed eleven players as unavailable, including star forward Trinity Rodman, who stepped away from team activities to address her continuing back issues. The team confirmed her indefinite absence a few hours before the match. The Spirit has been battling injuries since the beginning of the season.
“The strength of this team is the sum of the players, and we’ve always had a strong sense of togetherness,” captain Aubrey Kingsbury told reporters after the match. “There are a lot of people that we wish were out there on the field with us, and hopefully, some will be getting back soon here, but everyone who’s got an opportunity to play has stepped up and done really well.
“I am really proud of just our versatility and the overall fight and togetherness.”
Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos was listed as questionable due to an ankle injury before the game. She subbed on in the second half but left the field for to get treatment on her lower leg. During the match, the Spirit’s leading goalscorer, Ashley Hatch, had to leave the field as a concussion substitution.
Midfielder Andi Sullivan, forward Ouleye Sarr, goalkeeper Lyza Jessee and rookie Emma Gaines-Ramos are all long-term absences for Washington. Defender Casey Krueger has missed the last two matches with a knee issue and 2024 rookie of the year Croix Bethune suffered a setback while recovering from a meniscus injury that she picked up while throwing out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game. Brittany Ratcliffe, who assisted both Washington goals last weekend, was also out with a lower-leg injury. Midfielder Hal Hershfelt is nearing a return after a sprained ankle in the season opener.
“Medical services and performance department are analyzing everything (that has) happened with injured players, with the performance of the players, internal loads, external loads, what we can improve as a team,” head coach Jonathan Giráldez told reporters before the game. “Analyzing, yes, but at the same time seeing that as an opportunity (for) other players who are available to play.”
One player who made the most of the Spirit’s depleted depth was Monday. Her goal was more about smart pressure than precise placement against Orlando. With the ball at her feet, Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse looked for the open pass, not paying much mind to the incoming run from Monday. With the right toe poke, the forward found the back of the net for the game’s lone goal.
Persistence from Gift Monday pays off in a goal for the Spirit ‼️
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— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) April 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Monday joined the Spirit late last month on a three-year deal with an option for 2028. She arrived from Spain’s UD Tenerife, where she contributed to 26 goals across 65 matches. Before her stint in Spain, Monday played for Nigeria’s FC Robo and COD United Amazons. She made her international debut for Nigeria in 2019 and was part of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad that made it to the round of 16.
“I know her pretty well from her time in Spain,” Giráldez, the former head coach of FC Barcelona, told reporters after the match. “A few years ago, she played as a left winger at Tenerife. Today, she had a specific role: attacking to stretch the field as much as possible and create space in the pockets. I’m very happy for her. It wasn’t an easy task, playing her first games with so many players unavailable.”
A corner kick from Marta late in the second half found the back of the net for Orlando. However, after video review, the would-be equalizer was waived off.
The Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league. The two East Coast powerhouses met in last year’s NWSL final, where Orlando claimed the title. Earlier this season, they faced off in the Challenge Cup, battling to a 1–1 draw, with the Spirit taking that trophy, winning in penalty kicks. Saturday marked the Spirit’s first regular-season win at Orlando since October 5, 2019. The win moves the Spirit and Pride level on points, 12, behind No. 1 Kansas City Current in the NWSL standings.
(Top photo: Mike Watters / Imagn Images)