Super Falcons star Gift Monday carries Spirits to victory

Super Falcons forward Gift Monday was the hero on Saturday as she scored a dramatic late winner to hand the Washington Spirit a thrilling 3-2 victory over Chicago Stars FC.

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With the match hanging in the balance, Monday struck in the 83rd minute to seal the Spirit’s fourth straight road win and end a two-game losing skid.

It was a rollercoaster afternoon in Bridgeview, Illinois, with both teams trading blows in a fiercely contested encounter. The Spirit struck first in the 31st minute when Rosemonde Kouassi’s cross was deflected in for an own goal by Chicago’s Ally Schlegel.

But the home side responded swiftly, equalising through Julia Grosso just five minutes later. Kouassi then restored Washington's lead in the 41st minute with a stunning header, becoming the 500th player to score in NWSL regular season history.

The Stars weren’t done, though, and former Spirit defender Sam Staab brought them level again early in the second half.

As the tension built, Gift Monday was subbed on in the 62nd minute and quickly made her presence felt, narrowly missing a header before finally finding the net with just seven minutes left to play.

Monday’s decisive strike came off a pinpoint cross from Kouassi, marking her third goal in four games, and second match-winner in that stretch.

With Saturday’s win, Washington became just the second team in NWSL history to start a season with four consecutive away wins.

Monday’s impact off the bench was a key factor, changing the game alongside fellow substitute Croix Bethune.

Kouassi, with a goal and two assists, was equally instrumental. But it was Monday’s clinical finish that ultimately sealed the victory and ensured Washington bounced back in style.