{"id":4220,"date":"2026-09-14T23:44:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T23:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4220"},"modified":"2026-09-22T18:27:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:27:51","slug":"late-boston-surge-stuns-washington-spirit-at-audi-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4220","title":{"rendered":"Late Boston Surge Stuns Washington Spirit at Audi Field"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Story by Shawn Payne<\/strong>
Photos by Daniel Sperling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 13, 2026 | Audi Field \u2014 Washington, D.C. | NWSL Regular Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s leading clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s top teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The clubs had met once previously this season, with Washington earning a 3-2 victory at Gillette Stadium in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Washington
Washington Spirit midfielder M\u00e9lissa Bethi (7) holds back Boston Legacy FC midfielder Annie Karich (6) during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Washington Spirit midfielder Monique Ngock (8) attempts to steal the ball from a fallen Boston Legacy FC midfielder Barbara Olivieri (21) during a game at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Ca\u00f1o (26) races Washington Spirit midfielder M\u00e9lissa Bethi (7) for the ball at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s back line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match developed into a physical contest as both sides battled for control in midfield. Boston defender Jorelyn Carabal\u00ed 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\u2019s Nicolette Hern\u00e1ndez received a yellow card in first-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabal\u00ed (16) crashes into Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt (17) moves around Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Ca\u00f1o (26) during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC forward Nichelle Prince (12) moves the ball down the pitch during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Despite opportunities at both ends, neither team found the breakthrough, sending the match into halftime scoreless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spirit head coach Adri\u00e1n Gonz\u00e1lez turned to his bench as Washington searched for the opening goal. Claudia Mart\u00ednez entered for Ngock shortly after the hour mark, and Ashley Hatch replaced Kouassi in the 75th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the match still scoreless entering its final 10 minutes, Boston finally broke through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\u00efssata Traor\u00e9 battled through Washington\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC forward Nichelle Prince (12) moves the ball down the pitch during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC defender Nicolette Hern\u00e1ndez (20) uses her head to save a shot on goal during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver (18) clears the ball during a game between the Washington Spirit and the Boston Legacy FC at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019 advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match then swung decisively toward Boston in stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With MacIver off her line as Washington pressed forward, Amanda Gutierres scored from distance in the 94th minute to extend Boston\u2019s lead to 2-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Washington
The Boston Legacy FC celebrate a goal by forward A\u00efssata Traor\u00e9 (14) during a game against the Washington Spirit at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC forward Nichelle Prince (12) during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Washington
Boston Legacy FC forward Nichelle Prince (12) moves past Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt (17) during a game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A match that had remained scoreless for more than 80 minutes ended with Boston leaving Audi Field with a 3-0 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legacy FC finished with 13 shots to Washington\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result moved Boston to 7-12-5 with 26 points, while Washington fell to 13-7-4 with 43 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington will now turn its attention to a road match against the Chicago Stars on Sunday, September 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Score: Boston Legacy FC 3, Washington Spirit 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n