Late Martinez show hands Washington Spirit 1-0 win at Seattle Reign: Match report
A game of few chances took only one good look for Claudia Martínez as the Spirit made it five straight wins.
SEATTLE — The Washington Spirit went through a slog on Sunday, but found just enough in the late minutes to claim a 1-0 win over the Seattle Reign at Lumen Field.
A choppy game of few chances was settled by Claudia Martínez's 84th-minute goal, though the Spirit began a tough 13-day stretch featuring four games with a new worry as Trinity Rodman was forced out of the game with a possible ankle injury.
Seattle came into the match having not scored in 311 minutes, but after Washington interfered on a flowing move, Mia Fishel pounced to head the loose ball to an open Maddie Mercado, who cut against the grain before firing a shot that grazed the crossbar.
What followed was a very tactical, choppy first half that saw very little in the way of chances at either end. At one end, Reign attacks broke down against a wall of yellow jerseys at the edge of the Spirit box. At the other, the visitors' best chance came on a turnover from Sam Meza, but Trinity Rodman's attempt to pick out the top corner in the 43rd minute with a curling shot bent a yard wide.
The Spirit got some unwelcome news as Rodman went down with an apparent ankle injury early in the second half. Though she played on for a few minutes, including making a recovery run to chip in defensively, Washington ended up sending Lucia Di Guglielmo in for her after just 55 minutes.
Nérilia Mondésir's close-range header forced the game's first save early in the second half, though it was easy work for Sandy MacIver in the end. Meanwhile, a poor pass forward from Claudia Dickey went straight to Hal Hershfelt, but the midfielder's long-range shot soared a yard high.
MacIver had to make the game's first more serious save in the 65th minute, getting low to keep a Mercado header out of the bottom corner, but in truth the box entries (let alone threats at goal) were sporadic at best.
An 81st-minute Spirit counter looked promising, but in a game where everything took just a bit too long for either team, Paige Metayer needed an extra touch as a bobbling ball found its way to her, with her shot going right at Claudia Dickey.
The Spirit had started to look more fluent late, with Andi Sullivan's arrival off the bench helping, and that change was at the root of a late winner. Sullivan drew pressure before spraying the ball wide, where Metayer and Gabby Carle exchanged touches.
Carle's eventual low cross invited someone to arrive for the finish, and halftime substitute Claudia Martínez obliged, picking out the corner first-time to hand the Spirit an 84th-minute lead.
What a goal by NWSL newcomer Claudia Martínez for the @washingtonspirit.com!
— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) May 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
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While the Reign threw the kitchen sink at an equalizer, including bringing ex-Spirit attacker Brittany Ratcliffe on as a fullback, Washington hung on for a valuable three points.
The Spirit (5-3-1) continue on their May odyssey in five days, with another top NWSL contender looming in the form of the San Diego Wave. Kickoff from Snapdragon Stadium is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Box score — NWSL regular season (game 9)
5/10/2026
Seattle Reign 0
Washington Spirit 1 (Martínez 84)
Lineups:
Reign (4231): Claudia Dickey; Sofia Huerta (C), Emily Mason, Phoebe McClernon, Madison Curry (Brittany Ratcliffe 89); Ainsley McCammon (Angharad James-Turner 79), Sam Meza; Nérilia Mondésir (Sally Menti 87), Maddie Mercado (Emeri Adames 79), Maddie Dahlien (Holly Ward 87); Mia Fishel
Spirit (4231): Sandy MacIver; Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan, Tara Rudd (C), Kate Wiesner (Paige Metayer 46); Hal Hershfelt, Rebeca Bernal (Andi Sullivan 67); Rosemonde Kouassi (Claudia Martínez 46), Leicy Santos, Trinity Rodman (Lucia Di Guglielmo 55); Sofia Cantore (Gift Monday 67)
Bookings:
Reign - None
Spirit - Bernal 36, Morgan 72
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Weather: Partly cloudy, breezy, 64°
Attendance: 7,597
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