Washington Spirit 1 - 2 Women - Match Report

Alessia Russo's brace in sweltering conditions gave us a well-earned victory over Washington Spirit in the first match of our US pre-season tour. 

Jonas Eidevall named a starting lineup led by Kim Little, including three academy prospects, Katie Reid, Freya Godfrey and Vivienne Lia.

The fixture also marked the debut of our adidas 24/25 Third Kit.

There were no signs of pre-season jitters as Russo gave us a dream start within the opening 10 minutes.

Starting with Kim Little's floated pass over the top to Frida Maanum, the Spirit tried to clear the danger by launching the ball skyward. However, our number 23 was lying in wait in the six-yard box and as the ball returned to earth, she tapped it home.

Ouleye Sarr proved to be the NWSL outfit's biggest threat going forward and she forced a few good stops from Manuela Zinsberger in the Arsenal goal.

We remained in control as the two sides headed towards half time before a deep ball into the box was headed in by Sarr.

The second half heralded four substitutions from Eidevall, as new signing Rosa Kafaji made her first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. 

The hosts began the second 45 minutes in the ascendancy, testing our newly rotated backline, but some brave defending by centre-back pairing Katie Reid and Lotte Wubben-Moy kept the scores level. 

Kafaji made her presence felt very early on and her skilful and determined display was capped off with an assist. Our Swedish forward pounced on a loose ball in the Spirit half and played a perfectly judged dink towards Russo.

The England international then did what she does best - rushing goalwards, rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the net. 

In the dying moments of the game, Kafaji nearly set up another goal, this time for Michelle Agyemang. However, our young striker was unluckily denied by the woodwork.

We return to Audi Field to face Sonia Bompastor's Chelsea on Sunday, 25 August.

The action will be streamed live on Arsenal.com but tickets are still available for the double header in Washington D.C.

Arsenal Starting XI: Zinsberger (GK) (Williams, 62), Lia (Catley, 78), Williamson (Wubben-Moy, 46), Reid, McCabe (Wienroither, 46), Kuhl (Cooney-Cross, 78), Little (Earl, 78), Maanum (Kafaji, 46), Godfrey (Foord, 78), Mead (Agyemang, 46), Russo (Harbert, 78)