The Spirit’s 2026 Shield hunt hit a snag, as No. 13 Boston derailed No. 2 Washington’s two-game winning streak with Sunday’s 3-0 upset.
All three Legacy goals came late in the game. Aïssata Traoré’s 81st-minute tally teed up Amanda Gutierres’s second-half stoppage-time brace.
“It doesn’t matter where we are in the table,” Guttieres said. “We need to keep that mentality from the beginning of the season.”
The loss sent the Spirit skidding five points below No. 1 Gotham at the top of the NWSL standings. The results subsequently shook up the tightest Shield race since 2023.
Weekend wins also saw No. 3 Utah and No. 4 San Diego move within one point of Washington, with six matchweeks left in the regular season.
“As always, a good learning,” said Spirit coach Adrián González. “I would prefer this now than the end of the season, or potential playoff.”
