AIPS MEMBER
NSMA MEMBER
Story by Shawn Payne
Photos by Daniel Sperling
September 13, 2026 | Audi Field — Washington, D.C. | NWSL Regular Season
WASHINGTON — The Washington Spirit returned to Audi Field on Sunday looking to strengthen their position near the top of the NWSL table as the regular season moved deeper into its final stretch.
Washington entered the afternoon in second place with a 13-6-4 record and 43 points, having won consecutive matches against Bay FC and the Portland Thorns. With the postseason approaching, the Spirit had an opportunity at home to continue building momentum and maintain their position among the league’s leading clubs.
Boston Legacy FC arrived in Washington facing a different situation. The expansion side entered the match 14th in the standings at 6-12-5 with 23 points, looking for a road result against one of the NWSL’s top teams.
The clubs had met once previously this season, with Washington earning a 3-2 victory at Gillette Stadium in May.
From the opening whistle at Audi Field, Washington looked to use its speed in the attacking third, with Trinity Rodman working the right side and Rosemonde Kouassi looking for opportunities to get behind Boston’s back line.
The match developed into a physical contest as both sides battled for control in midfield. Boston defender Jorelyn Carabalí received the first yellow card in the 20th minute. Washington midfielders Hal Hershfelt and Monique Ngock were also booked during the opening half, while Boston’s Nicolette Hernández received a yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
Despite opportunities at both ends, neither team found the breakthrough, sending the match into halftime scoreless.
Boston began creating more pressure after the restart. Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver was called into action in the 50th minute, making a diving save to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
Washington responded by continuing to push forward. Sofia Cantore helped create pressure and earned a corner in the 57th minute, while Kouassi later tested Boston from outside the penalty area.
Spirit head coach Adrián González turned to his bench as Washington searched for the opening goal. Claudia Martínez entered for Ngock shortly after the hour mark, and Ashley Hatch replaced Kouassi in the 75th minute.
With the match still scoreless entering its final 10 minutes, Boston finally broke through.
Aïssata Traoré battled through Washington’s defense in the 81st minute and finished from near the top of the penalty area to give Legacy FC a 1-0 lead, with Nichelle Prince providing the assist.
Washington pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer. Rodman came close in the 88th minute, but Boston goalkeeper Casey Murphy denied the Spirit forward and preserved the visitors’ advantage.
The match then swung decisively toward Boston in stoppage time.
With MacIver off her line as Washington pressed forward, Amanda Gutierres scored from distance in the 94th minute to extend Boston’s lead to 2-0.
Two minutes later, Gutierres struck again. Lilly Reale sent the ball across the area, where Gutierres finished at the back post for her second goal of the match and Boston’s third.
A match that had remained scoreless for more than 80 minutes ended with Boston leaving Audi Field with a 3-0 victory.
Legacy FC finished with 13 shots to Washington’s eight and put six attempts on target compared with three for the Spirit. Murphy stopped all three Washington shots on goal to complete the clean sheet.
The result moved Boston to 7-12-5 with 26 points, while Washington fell to 13-7-4 with 43 points.
Washington will now turn its attention to a road match against the Chicago Stars on Sunday, September 20.
Final Score: Boston Legacy FC 3, Washington Spirit 0
Goals
- 81’ — Aïssata Traoré, Boston Legacy FC (Nichelle Prince)
- 90+4’ — Amanda Gutierres, Boston Legacy FC
- 90+6’ — Amanda Gutierres, Boston Legacy FC (Lilly Reale)
For more of Daniel Sperling’s work, visit his page at: Daniel Sperling Photography
