Schupansky unlocks Bruninha, Lavelle scores title winner – Equalizer Soccer

© John Hefti-Imagn Images

There was only one goal last week, Rose Lavelle’s 80th minute, National Women’s Soccer League Championship winner against the Washington Spirit. Fortunately, it was a good one. Let’s take a look.

There was a lot of discussion during the week about Ann-Katrin Berger’s ability to play with her feet. This was hardly the most complicated scenario the German goalkeeper found herself in on the night, but she had taken a pass from Jess Carter to her left as Gotham subtly shifted the point of attack. The Spirit’s defensive shape below seems reasonable, but the issue is further back, off screen, where Hal Hershfelt had just re-entered the pitch after being off for several minutes and having her ankle wrapped.