Spirit forward [Mallory Pugh](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dkk9sopglpjgnopxcxkn65gid) made her NWSL debut, but FC Kansas City midfielder [Alexa Newfield](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/ep50oy55uj6ulflveoy70nzs9)’s goal was the difference as Kansas City beat Washington 1-0 in front of a crowd of 3,714 at Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Newfield’s goal came in the 39th minute as Gibbons served a ball into the penalty area. Forward [Sydney Leroux](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/4c3ul31a4mf94cclrayr43g7p) tried a bicycle kick, but couldn’t connect cleanly on it and it bounced to Newfield, who sent a right-footed laser past Washington Spirit goalkeeper [Stephanie Labbé](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/cuv7sxu6f38qn367grmxno3x1). Pugh, 19, subbed into the match in the 54th minute, becoming the youngest American and third youngest player ever in NWSL history. The U.S. women’s national team rising star [recently joined the Spirit after leaving UCLA to turn pro](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news#mallory-pugh-joins-the-spirit). In the 56th minute, Pugh had a chance for a goal on what would’ve been her first touch but couldn’t get on the end of a pass from midfielder [Kristie Mewis](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/4t91su0ns46r00vjynp0on5qt). Mewis nearly scored twice in the match, but her 24th minute shot rocketed off the crossbar and her 60th minute free kick was stopped by defender [Becky Sauerbrunn](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dpi1jk3r0cyn9f9ote89781jp), who peeled off the wall and blocked Mewis’ shot with her chest. Goalkeeper [Nicole Barnhart](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/1vm9mztp9ro7cnp6boinc7phx) made six saves to earn the shutout for FC Kansas City, her 35th career shutout, the most in NWSL history.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights