Super Falcons forward, Gift Monday came off the bench to net the decisive goal as Washington Spirit claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Chicago in Saturday’s NWSL clash at SeatGeek Stadium.
It was Monday’s third league goal since arriving from Spanish outfit Costa Adeje Tenerife, and her timely strike in the 82nd minute ensured the visitors snatched all three points and moved up to third on the table with 15 points from eight games.
The game began with drama on both ends of the pitch. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute, albeit from an unfortunate moment, as Alyson Schlegel scored an own goal to hand Washington Spirit the lead.
Chicago responded swiftly through Canadian midfielder Julia Grosso, who equalised just five minutes later with a calm finish to restore parity.
Ivory Coast’s Rosemonde Kouassi gave Washington the lead again in the 40th minute, finishing off a crisp attacking move to put the Spirit 2-1 ahead heading into halftime.
The second half saw Chicago once more fight back, this time through Samantha Staab, who powered in a header in the 53rd minute to make it 2-2.
But it was Gift Monday who stole the show. Introduced in the second half for Brittany Radcliffe, the Nigerian forward made her presence felt late on, capitalising on a defensive lapse to fire home the match-winner in the 82nd minute.
With her third goal in the NWSL, Monday continues to prove her value as a game-changing presence for Pere Romeu’s Spirit side, just months after her move from Spain.
Washington Spirit will next host Utah Royals on May 18, as they look to maintain momentum in the title chase.
