NJ/NY Gotham’s season from hell continued on Saturday night as it was blanked by the struggling Washington Spirit, 2-0, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

Cellar-dwelling Gotham fell to 4-14 while the 10th-place Spirit improved to 3-6-10 with its second consecutive win in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Tara McKeown scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 51st minute. Sanchez passed a through ball behind the back line into the run of McKeown. McKeown’s cross into the box was deflected but the ball found its way back to her. With goalkeeper Michelle Betos out of her position, McKeown finished into the empty net.

This was the 14th time that Gotham FC has conceded the first goal in a match this season.

Sanchez scored the second goal in the 86th minute. Applying a high press, Sanchez striped Betos of possession inside the box. Sanchez calmly finished her opportunity.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.