Aubrey Kingsbury’s heroics send Washington Spirit to NWSL Championship 2024 | OneFootball

The Washington Spirit punched their ticket to the 2024 NWSL Championship in epic fashion with a semifinal victory over reigning champions NJ/NY Gotham FC. In front of a record crowd at Audi Field, the Spirit proved why they are one of the most thrilling teams in the league. And, of course, the queen of the night was indisputably Aubrey Kingsbury-who shone the brightest during the penalty shootout, saving three in a row and ensuring the team goes to Kansas City.

With only one game in between the Spirit and another title, it's worth diving into what made this victory a landmark moment in NWSL history.

This was more than just a semifinal game; it was an event in front of a crowd of 19,365 fans. That remarkable number is indicative not only of the growth of the Spirit but of women's soccer throughout the United States. Already, the 2024 season is historic, featuring 8 of the 10 largest crowds in club history. No wonder Audi Field has become a fortress for opponents.

Head coach Jonatan Giráldez then introduced important changes onto the pitch: Leicy Santos into the starting midfield lineup, while Rosemonde Kouassi came back into the fold after serving a suspension. Those moves proved critical, providing the tone of balance and aggression throughout the match.

Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch (33) and NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams (10) jump to head the ball during extra time in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field / Amber Searls-Imagn Images

First 90 Minutes Drama

It was an intense opening. Gotham FC came out firing, notching five clear shots in the first nine minutes, but the Spirit's defense, marshaled by Kingsbury, held firm. The response, through Trinity Rodman and Kouassi down the wings, tested Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger on multiple occasions. Paced with precision, the duo kept Gotham's defense on edge.

Then, in the 40th minute, Kouassi did some magic, lightening the footwork before passing it perfectly to Casey Kruger, who nearly beat the deadlock. The first half was not devoid of several fouls and tensions, but it ended without scoring.

Second Half and the Equalizer

The second half started off just as intensively. Kouassi, whose tirelessness in running the defensive linchpin remains laudable, was close to scoring early, but Berger denied her yet again. Gotham quickly countered, and in the 56th minute, Esther gave them the lead with a cool header.

The Spirit would not yield. Santos spearheaded the attack with dangerous shots and incisive play. The 93rd minute brought about the major game-changer: Hal Hershfelt equalized via a free kick in what was the perfect assist from Makenna Morris. It marked the 13th goal of the season scored by the Spirit in the final 15 minutes of matches, a show of team resilience.

Washington Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury (1) makes a save during extra time against NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. / Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Extra Time and Penalty Shootout: Kingsbury's Moment of Glory

Extra time was edgy, filled with chances either way, as yellow cards started flying. Rodman's cross almost sealed it with Hatch, but a fingertip save from Berger denied her. A saints' length away, Kingsbury repeatedly shut down Gotham's threat, most notably on back-to-back corner kicks.

No goals in extra time, and the game moved to penalties. Now, the moment of the night belonged to Kingsbury. Hatch started the scoring confidently. Silano and McKeown kept the momentum. The high point, though, was Kingbury's third save: a diving stop that denied Gotham's last chance for a 3-0 penalty victory to take the Spirit onto the Championship.

Now the Spirit will gear toward the final set for Saturday, November 23, in Kansas City against the winner of the Kansas City Current-Orlando Pride semifinal. Having been to two finals thus far-one win, one loss-the Spirit are anxious to cement their place as an NWSL powerhouse.

An Incredible Season

The Washington Spirit won the championship as a vestige of grit and determination. They've shown, from tactical adjustments to clutch moments, that they could handle the pressure. At the top of it all was the performance of Aubrey Kingsbury, who will surely go down as one of the greatest defensive performances in NWSL history.

If that semifinal was anything to go by, this championship is going to be all the more exciting. With the team living for such crucial moments and the fanbase who can back them up pretty well, the Spirit head into the finals as formidable contenders. Kansas City better watch out-Washington Spirit is ready to create history again.