Away Loss to Spokane Review
Date: Friday April 26, 2025
Result: Spokane 3-2 Tampa Bay
Records: Tampa Bay Sun (36 pts 9W-9D-6L); Spokane Zephyr FC (34 pts 9W-7D-8L)
Standings: The Sun stayed 3rd in the table.
From Spokane, the Sun were apparently shrouded in clouds on Saturday night. The home side got off to a good start and their visitors could never fully recover. It only makes the table tighter around those final two playoff positions. With four games to go, Tampa Bay not even earning a point on the road hurts. The Zephyr see their opponents only a few places ahead. It’s going to be a nervy run in for all involved!
How did they stop our streak?
In a game that started out with a lot of chances, it was possible to see a high scoring result from early on. After a flurry of early opportunities for the Sun, including off of multiple corners and free kicks, it may be the case that they wasted chances which would have put the match on another path. Had one of those shots gone in, and Tampa Bay gone up, Spokane would’ve had to adjust their tactics.
As it played out, the Zephyr capitalized first and put their visitors on the backfoot. The hosts found a breakthrough off a corner of their own, with midfielder Taylor Aylmer hitting the ball first time from the back post. Keeper Ashley Orkus’ punch was insufficient to clear it; but, it was also partly down to how wide open Aylmer was when the failed clearance fell to her.
The Sun immediately responded by earning another corner, but failed to finish that as well. It was never the case that Tampa Bay was playing poorly. Quite the opposite: they were getting the ball into good positions regularly, either just outside the box or even within it. Momentary defensive lapses were what allowed the Washingtonians to take over the game.
One of those brief lapses occurred after Carlee Giammona lost the ball just within her own half. Spokane’s Bosnia international Emina Ekic took it and ran straight at the Sun box, finding a streaking McKenzie Weinert in behind Viv Bessette. She had started on the right side of Tampa Bay’s defense, taking advantage of Tori Haugen’s positioning upon the turnover in possession.
The moment the ball was lost until it was in the net couldn’t have been more than ten seconds. There was nothing Orkus could do to keep the finish out. Ultimately, this period of ten minutes set the tone for the rest of the game. The Floridians were always chasing thereafter. It fundamentally puts you in a different position – even if you can score within two minutes.
Sydny Nasello’s goal also followed an interception within the defensive half, this time Spokane’s, of course. It was another example of her becoming more direct with her attacking movements and looking to do things on her own. However, still being down by one, they were always chasing, trying to get the equalizer throughout the rest of the first half.
The Sun made some substitutions in the second half, bringing on Hannah Keane and Jade Moore to put more pressure on the hosts’ defense. Despite ending the game with two goals, it seems Tampa Bay were not always finishing as well as they have in recent weeks. Good chances went begging before the Zephyr found what would turn out to be the winning strike.
That goal came off another interception in midfield. Wayny Balata received the ball following the turnover and found Katie Murray for Spokane. She was wide open and able to see the run in behind from McKenzie Weinert. The latter found herself again in a great position to race through a Sun defense that wasn’t properly staggered to react to her. Orkus again was left in the cold.
The consolation penalty from Tash Flint was earned from another Nasello burst into the box. But, it wouldn’t be enough. The Sun return from the west coast empty handed. The timing is difficult with so little room for error during the playoff run in. Slow reactions to giveaways doomed the visitors. Harsh lessons to be learned from a tough road trip that included flight delays and little sleep.
Player of the Game:
Liz:
Tom:
RBLR Score Predictions Standings:
Lizzie: 20
Tom: 12
Yurika: 14
James: 10
