Will the Spirit make the playoffs?

As I have previously stated, I try to follow the less glamorous sports (at least for U.S. audiences).  Soccer is that, even though the World Cup proves that there is a growing audience for soccer in this country.  There has to be -- the numbers of youth soccer players are large and increasing. 

But one of the problems with soccer in the U.S. is that the domestic leagues are nothing compared to the international leagues, particularly for the men.  The men need both more homegrown superstars (not just stars) and also enough prestige and competition (and money) to attract major international stars who aren't past their prime, like Beckham, Thierry Henry, and the recently arrived Frank Lampard.  The women are in worse shape, because there's less money for all women's sports, the previous women's pro league folded, and in cities like DC, there's just too many other ways to spend the sports entertainment dollar.  In Portland, where two of the three major leagure pro teams are soccer teams, there's a bit more fervor for the beautiful game.

So given the power of the Internet, I can follow the localest women's pro soccer team, the Washington Spirit, of the NWSL, the National Women's Soccer League.   And last year they were not one of the best teams in the league.  In fact, they were the worst team in the league, and had only 3 wins.

Which is why this year they are to be admired for their scrappy effort to make the playoffs.  And now, with three games left to play, they are in third place, 3 points ahead of Chicago (who has a game in hand) and 1 point ahead of Portland.  The top four teams make the playoffs, and the top two spots are secure.  Two of these three teams will be the other two playoff teams. So the Spirit have a legit chance to make the playoffs a year after being the worst team in the league.  That's the kind of sports story I like.

Even the Washington Post covered their most recent win!

Spirit wins

Washington boosted its National Women’s Soccer League playoff chances, coming from behind in the second half at Maryland SoccerPlex to defeat second-place Kansas City, 2-1. Kerstin Garefrekes equalized in the 49th minute and Christine Nairn (Annapolis) scored the go-ahead goal in the 67th as the Spirit (9-8-4) moved into third place with three matches left. Four teams will advance to postseason. Washington will host Chicago on Saturday night. Kansas City fell to 11-6-4.

They play Chicago next, on Saturday, August 2. That could be the game of the year for them (unfortunately it might be raining).

GO SPIRIT.  In this town, we need all the pro sports success we can get!

Speedy English forward Jodie Taylor is one reason the Spirit is better this season