Spirit Celebrate Hello Kitty Day With 1–0 Win Over Bay FC

Story & Photos by Shawn Payne

Match Date: August 30, 2026 | Audi Field, Washington, D.C. | NWSL

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Audi Field had a different look Sunday afternoon as the Washington Spirit welcomed Bay FC for the club’s first-ever Hello Kitty® Day. The themed afternoon brought 16,817 fans to the stadium, but once the whistle blew, Washington had more important business to handle: ending a four-match winless run.

The Spirit did exactly that, grinding out a 1–0 victory behind Paige Metayer’s first-half stoppage-time goal and a clean sheet from goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.

Bay FC did not make the afternoon easy.

Washington Spirit defending against repeated attacks on their goal by Bay FC strikers and midfield during their game at Audi Field

The visitors created several dangerous opportunities during an open first half and came within inches of taking the lead in the 41st minute. Taylor Huff delivered a ball into the area that found Karlie Lema, whose attempt struck the woodwork and kept the match scoreless.

Washington responded just minutes later.

In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, Sofia Cantore released Trinity Rodman down the left side. Rodman drove into the penalty area, beat her defender and sent a shot off the crossbar. With the ball dropping near the goal line, Metayer followed the play and bundled home the rebound to give the Spirit a 1–0 advantage just before halftime.

It would prove to be the only goal Washington needed.

#2 Trinity Rodman of Washington Spirit takes on a Bay FC defender whilst attacking the goal at the game at Audi Field

The Spirit were forced into an early change after the break when Kate Wiesner went down with an injury. Tamara Bolt entered in the 51st minute, while Washington continued trying to protect its narrow advantage against a Bay FC side that refused to go away.

Bay FC pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and finished the match with 19 total shots. Washington’s defense, however, held firm when it mattered, and MacIver recorded four saves to preserve the clean sheet.

The afternoon also provided opportunities for two new Spirit players. Mélissa Bethi entered at halftime to make her NWSL debut, while Monique Ngock came on in the 68th minute for her first NWSL appearance.

#12 midfielder and captain Andi Sullivan in an airborne attack for possession during the game against Bay FC at Audi Field

When the final whistle sounded, Washington had secured three points for the first time in five matches.

The 1–0 victory kept the Spirit in second place in the NWSL table heading into September and completed a season sweep of Bay FC after Washington also defeated the California side 2–0 earlier this season.

On a day filled with Hello Kitty throughout Audi Field, the Spirit ultimately gave the home crowd something more important to celebrate — a return to the win column.