After a 2-1 home win vs. the Seattle Reign just a few days earlier, the Spirit traveled to Seattle on September 11 for their second meeting of the season and fell to the two-time NWSL Shield winner by a score of 2-0.  Coupled with a win by the second-place Portland Thorns, the Spirit are now just one point ahead of the Thorns in the NWSL standings with one game regular season game remaining before the playoffs. Both Washington and Portland have earned a home-field playoff game but whether they finish first or second is still to be determined.  It couldn't be any more exciting in advance of the final game for each of clubs on the weekend of September 24-25. 

With a Spirit victory over the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, they will nail down first place regardless of the result of Portland's match against Sky Blue FC on Sunday. Should the Spirit lose or draw in their game against Chicago, Portland will take over first place with either a win or a draw. Meanwhile, Chicago has clinched a playoff spot while Western New York and Seattle must await the outcome of their games to determine the fourth and final playoff-bound team.  

The Spirit thank BRYC for their support this season and hope to see BRYC families at the playoff game, perhaps the Spirit's best chance ever of making it to the NWSL Chammpionship contest. Watch here or at the Spirit's own web site for playoff ticket information when the date is set.