Washington Spirit struggle in 3-0 home loss to Boston Legacy: Match report
It was grim stuff at Audi Field, with the Legacy striking three late goals to hand the Spirit a deserved loss.
The Washington Spirit suffered through their worst performance — and worst result — of 2026 on Sunday, falling to a dismal 3-0 home loss to the Boston Legacy.
Aïssata Traoré's 81st-minute goal may have come with a slice of fortune, but the Legacy were the better team on the day, frustrating a misfiring Spirit side with their pressing structure. Amanda Gutierres came in off the bench to strike twice in stoppage time, condemning the Spirit to a heavy home loss.
The Spirit's center backs nearly connected on the game's first real chance, with Esme Morgan's back-post free kick delivery finding Tara Rudd, only for the captain's header to go into the outside netting.
From there, the first half was largely in Boston's favor, as the visitors offered sporadic — but significant — threats.
A 27th-minute free kick offered threat as Sarah Schupansky's service from the flank crept through the Spirit penalty area. Sandy MacIver had to dive left to prevent the ball from sneaking in at the back post, where Traoré couldn't find a finish.
Schupansky came up with an even better ball five minutes later, sending an inswinger into the goalmouth. Legacy right back Bianca Saint-Georges arrived, but somehow skewed her point-blank finish over the crossbar.
A long ball over the top from Deja Davis tempted MacIver out of the box only for Bárbara Olivieri to win the race to the ball. The Venezuela midfielder tried to round MacIver, but couldn't turn her long-range shot into the empty net.
Just before halftime, Schupansky went to goal herself, attempting to bend a shot past MacIver from deep on the right flank only to watch her effort land on the roof of the net.
Boston came close to breaking the deadlock quickly after play resumed after a fortuitous bounce caught the Spirit backline out. Olivieri arrived to send a half-volley on frame, but MacIver had the answer with a big save.
Washington Spirit's GK Sandy MacIver leaps for this clutch save 😮💨🧱
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) September 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM
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At halftime, the Spirit swapped wingers Trinity Rodman and Rosemonde Kouassi to open a physical game up, but Traoré had the game's next genuine look. MacIver again produced a save — arguably her best of the day — to tip the ball away from danger.
Casey Murphy had been forced into just one easy save in the game's first 67 minutes, but seemed to be on the verge of facing a penalty as Mélissa Bethi was pushed down by Jorelyn Carabali. The contact was light, though, and after initially pointing to the spot, referee Nabil Bensalah was called to the VAR monitor, ultimately reversing the call.
It had been a tough day at the office for the hosts, and the Legacy finally capitalized in the 81st minute. The play seemed dead as Nichelle Prince and Gabby Carle tangled up on the edge of the box, but Prince kept enough balance to touch the ball on to a wide-open Traoré inside the box.
The Mali striker didn't put a ton of power on her shot, but picked out the bottom corner perfectly, beating MacIver to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Aïssata Traoré hustles and sneaks it into the net! 🤌 The Boston Legacy lead Washington Spirit 1-0!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) September 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
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Gutierres came off the bench to nearly make it 2-0 in the aftermath, while Ashley Hatch's 19-yard shot gave Murphy some trouble with its movement.
The goal seemed to spark a much more lively version of the Spirit, who had otherwise lacked for attacking initiative throughout.
However, that risk-taking came with a harsh punishment, as Gutierres bagged a stoppage-time brace. First, with the Spirit pushing high, Boston forced play the other way, with the Brazil forward spotting MacIver well off her line. From over 40 yards out, Gutierres took aim, floating an angled shot over the Spirit goalkeeper to put the game on ice.
Amanda Gutierres took it herself for this goal 🤯
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) September 13, 2026 at 3:17 PM
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It got worse moments later, as another turnover resulted in a third, with Lilly Reale squaring to Gutierres for an easy tap-in.
Lilly Reale books it to find Amanda Gutierres to make it 3-0 for the Boston Legacy! 👏
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) September 13, 2026 at 3:20 PM
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A fifth home loss of 2026 leaves the Spirit (13-4-7) five points behind NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL Shield race. Washington will be heavily favored to bounce back next weekend as they head to Evanston, Ill. to take on the last-place Chicago Stars. Kickoff from Martin Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
Box score — NWSL regular season (game 24)
9/13/2026
Washington Spirit 0
Boston Legacy 3 (Traoré 81; Gutierres 94+, 95+)
Lineups:
Spirit (433): Sandy MacIver; Paige Metayer (Madison Haugen 88), Esme Morgan, Tara Rudd (C), Gabby Carle; Monique Ngock (Claudia Martínez 62), Hal Hershfelt, Mélissa Bethi; Rosemonde Kouassi (Ashley Hatch 75), Sofia Cantore (Tamara Bolt 88), Trinity Rodman
Boston (4231): Casey Murphy; Bianca Saint-Georges (C), Jorelyn Carabali, Deja Davis, Nicki Hernández (Lilly Reale 60); Alba Caño, Annie Karich; Sarah Schupansky (Aleigh Gambone 84), Bárbara Olivieri (Josefine Hasbo 93+), Sammy Smith (Nichelle Prince 60); Aïssata Traoré (Amanda Gutierres 84)
Bookings:
Spirit - Hershfelt 39, Ngock 43, Martínez 75
Boston - Carabali 20, Hernández 50+, Boston bench 72
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
Weather: Muggy, mostly cloudy, 86°
Attendance: 15,588
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