Rodman, Rudd goals see Washington Spirit past Boston Legacy: Match report
The Spirit went to the top of the NWSL standings, holding off a late charge from Boston in a 2-1 win.
PAWTUCKET, RI – The Washington Spirit shook off a frustrating, difficult midweek loss in style Sunday, seeing off the Boston Legacy 2-1 in the first-ever meeting between the clubs.
First-half goals from Tara Rudd and Trinity Rodman were more than enough for the visitors, who climbed atop the NWSL standings with the win. For Rudd, it was a first goal of 2026; for Rodman, who is now on 7 goals and 4 assists from 10 games, it prolonged a staggering run of productivity. Sammy Smith's late goal for the Legacy caused some tension in the final minutes, but Washington was able to cling onto the lead to full time.
With the match marking a third road game in just eight days, Spirit head coach Adrián González made seven changes to the side that fell 1-0 at NJ/NY Gotham FC midweek. Only Rodman, Rudd, Sandy MacIver, and Leicy Santos maintained their places.
Making her first start of 2026, Paige Metayer had the game's first serious chance, arriving to volley a decent look over the bar after Rebeca Bernal's cross from a recycled free kick on the right.
Washington had made a bright enough start, and took the lead in the aftermath of a 25th minute corner. While Santos' initial corner didn't pan out, the Spirit recycled the ball, with the Colombia playmaker lobbing a cross to the back post. Rudd stayed high after coming up for the initial dead ball, looping her header over Casey Murphy and in.
TARA RUDD GOAL 🚨 TARA RUDD GOAL 🚨
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 19, 2026 at 7:47 PM
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Boston went close in the immediate aftermath, with Aïssata Traore narrowly missing, but the Spirit had no interest in letting the Legacy spark a comeback. Rebeca Bernal won two tackles within four seconds at midfield to progress play, with Gift Monday then pivoting to reward Rodman's run between the center backs.
From there, it was light work for the U.S. women's national team forward, carrying into the box before burying a shot past Murphy.
Four goals in four games. Trinity Rodman is on a heater🔥
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) July 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
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Washington was mostly coasting, but got a reminder that Boston entered this match having won two straight on two near-misses in first-half stoppage time. First, Lilly Reale's driven cross found Traore, whose shot from close range went just barely over the bar. Then, a slick combination between Bianca Saint-Georges, Nichelle Prince, and Annie Karich ended with the veteran Canada wingback zipping a shot wide.
Eight days earlier, Washington walked into the break up two goals on the road, only to end up needing to survive wave after wave of attacks from the North Carolina Courage.
Traore saw another shot bobble wide in the 66th minute, though Legacy fans howled for a penalty after Kate Wiesner and Prince collided in a race to get the last touch. Referee John Matto emphatically waved off the protests, however, and VAR did not intervene.
While Spirit chances were sporadic, the same could be said for the hosts. Substitute Sammy Smith fired one 75th minute look directly at MacIver after a rare missstep from Élisabeth Tsé on the edge of the box. Later, Rudd did just enough to cut Traore's angle off, preventing any sort of chance on goal.
Metayer, moving up to an attacking role after Rodman was substituted, saw one shot go right at Murphy. Turning provider, her 87th-minute cutback to Sofia Cantore saw the Italy forward's attempt a trademark heel flick, only for the ball to roll away from danger.
Boston would give themselves a shout at a late comeback on a goal the Spirit will want back. Emerson Elgin was given time and space to size up a long ball from the back, and her delivery fell perfectly for Sammy Smith, who had little to do beyond guide the ball past MacIver in the 88th minute.
That set up a nervy finish, and Boston had one last look with the game's final touch, only for Annie Karich's volley from the top of the box to fly into the stands.
After claiming six points from three straight on the road, the Spirit (9-3-3) will return home atop the NWSL standings. A welcome return home will come against this season's other expansion side, with the Denver Summit coming to Audi Field next Sunday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET.
Box score — NWSL regular season (game 15)
7/19/2026 — Played at Centreville Bank Stadium (Pawtucket, RI)
Boston Legacy FC 1 (Smith 88)
Washington Spirit 2 (Rudd 25, Rodman 31)
Lineups:
Boston (4231): Casey Murphy; Bianca St-Georges, Jorelyn Carabali, Emerson Elgin, Lilly Reale; Alba Caño (Aleigh Gambone 90), Annie Karich; Nichelle Prince (C) (Amanda Gutierres 71), Ella Stevens (Sammy Smith 59), Barbara Olivieri; Aïssata Traore
Spirit (433): Sandy MacIver; Paige Metayer, Élisabeth Tsé, Tara Rudd (C), Kate Wiesner; Deb Abiodun (Hal Hershfelt 57), Rebeca Bernal, Leicy Santos (Andi Sullivan 81); Trinity Rodman (Gabby Carle 76), Gift Monday (Sofia Cantore 46), Claudia Martínez (Rosemonde Kouassi 57)
Bookings:
Boston - St-Georges 54
Spirit - Abiodun 48+, Sullivan 92+
Referee: John Matto
Weather: Clear, sunny, 77°
Attendance: 10,101
Quick note: I'm having formatting problems with Ghost in terms of how goal clips look in the emails subscribers get. I don't have a good solution on that front yet, but if you want the goal clip and you read these via the email rather than the site, the link near the clip will take you to the video.
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