Boston Legacy FC secured a 3-0 victory over the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on Sunday, September 13, 2026, breaking a scoreless deadlock with three goals in the final minutes of the match, according to match reports from both clubs and the Boston Globe.
Late-Game Surge Lifts Boston Over Washington
The match remained scoreless until the 81st minute when Aïssata Traoré broke through the Washington back line, collecting a ball that slipped past defenders at the top of the box and sneaking a shot in off the bottom of the far left post, according to the Boston Globe and Washington Spirit official match reports. The goal marked Traoré’s ninth of the season and her fourth in four games, giving the Legacy a 1-0 advantage.
Amanda Gutierres, who subbed on for Traoré in a planned substitution in the 83rd minute during 90-degree heat, added two goals in stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Gutierres intercepted a pass from Washington’s Tara Rudd and fired from roughly 60 yards out while Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver was off her line. Two minutes later, Gutierres tapped in a cross at the back post from Lilly Reale to finalize the 3-0 scoreline.
Standings and Play Context
According to the Boston Globe, the victory marked the Legacy’s second straight road win against a top-five opponent, following a 2-1 win at Utah on September 4. Boston entered the match in 14th place with just six wins from 23 matches, while Washington sat second in the standings with aspirations for the NWSL Shield. Following the result, the Legacy improved to 7-12-5 with 26 points, while the Spirit fell to 13-7-4 with 43 points, maintaining a one-point lead for second place.
The physical match featured multiple yellow cards in the first half, including cautions for Washington’s Hal Hershfelt and Monique Ngock. Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver registered saves, including a diving stop in the 50th minute and a block against Gutierres in the 84th minute, but the Spirit’s late offensive efforts—including a late look by Trinity Rodman in the 88th minute—were turned away by Boston goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Washington Spirit will travel to face Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in a match airing on ESPN at 5 p.m. EDT, according to the Washington Spirit match report. The Boston Legacy will host Houston next Sunday at Centreville Bank Stadium for their final match in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, before playing their final home game of the season at Gillette Stadium against Racing Louisville on October 16, as reported by the Boston Globe.
