Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh (9) and Washington Spirit defender Emily Sonnett (6) fight for the ball during the first half of the NWSL Championship soccer match Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.

Jeff Dean / AP

A summary of this story was republished by El Tiempo Latino. Puedes leer un resumen de este artículo en español aquí.

The Washington Spirit defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-1 to win the National Women’s Soccer League championship Saturday. The game was played in Louisville and went into overtime after the teams were tied 1-1.

Kelley O’Hara scored the winning goal in the 97th minute. Spirit goalie Aubrey Bledsoe was named game MVP.

It was the first league championship for the Spirit.

The Spirit won the championship after a tumultuous season. Richie Burke, the team’s former head coach, was fired after The Washington Post published a series of stories alleging Burke created a toxic work environment for players on the team and women who worked for the organization.

The match inspired a friendly wager between D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. If the Spirit lost, Bowser offered up food from HalfSmoke, beer from City-State Brewing and clothing from District of Clothing, a Black and woman-owned brand.

But it looks like Lightfoot will have to deliver on her promise of goodies from Chicago’s Funkytown Brewery and Justice of the Pies, and gear from The Silver Room.

 

https://twitter.com/MayorBowser/status/1461847233498955776

Debbie Truong contributed reporting.

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