Late score allows Spirit to salvage draw with Louisville

Rosemonde Kouassi scored at the death for host Washington Spirit, who salvaged a 2-2 draw with Racing Louisville in a frenetic game that also marked the home debut of Sofia Cantore.

It was Cantore, an Italian national, who scored first in electric fashion, but Washington (8-4-4, 28 points) needed Kouassi's goal 10 minutes into second-half stoppage time to take a point from the match.

That's because Racing (6-4-6, 22 points) scored twice in the second half. The first came off a Spirit own goal that deflected off Leicy Santos and Rebeca Bernal in the 53rd minute. Louisville then jumped in front via a Savannah DeMelo penalty kick at the 80th.

Louisville's go-ahead goal came after a lengthy video review determined Santos tripped Racing's Ary Borges in the box as the ball was entering the penalty area. From the spot, DeMelo got Spirit keeper Aubrey Kingsbury to go to her left as DeMelo sent it to the open half of the net.

At that time, it seemed as if Racing would end a nine-game winless streak (0-4-5) against the Spirit. However, Washington took advantage of a late turnover by Borges that led to Kouassi's second score of the season.

Cantore, who became the first Italian national to join the NWSL in June, earned her first start in her second game with Spirit. The Ballon d'Or Feminin finalist got the ball in space in the 39th minute after Gift Monday forced a turnover deep in Louisville's end.

The Spirit's new forward dribbled five times before uncorking a rocket from outside the box that beat Racing keeper Jordyn Bloomer just off the bottom of the crossbar.

Washington controlled possession for a majority of the game and outshot Louisville 13-11 overall and 5-4 on goal.

Both teams remain in playoff position with the draw, which is the second straight contest in which Louisville settled for a tie after allowing a goal in second-half stoppage time.