Late Aïssata goal and Gutierres brace lead Legacy to second-straight road win
Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2026) - The Legacy secured their second straight road win on Sunday, taking down the Washington Spirit 3-0 at Audi Field.
The match opened with steady, even possession between the two sides. Washington strung together a few runs down the field in the first 10’, but was unable to create any real chances. Boston played through the midfield, scouting out seams in the Spirit’s defense.
In the 12’, a Washington set piece found a target at the far post, but the Spirit header hit the post and went out. The Legacy won their own set piece at 24’, but nothing came of the opportunity. In the next minute, Bianca St-Georges delivered a strong shot that went soaring over the net. Three minutes later, Deja Davis connected with a cross at the back post, but her shot was just barely turned away by Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
The game settled into a slow pace through the 30’. Boston’s next chance came at 32’, as Sarah Schupansky’s cross was one-touched at close range by St-Georges but drifted over the net. Boston upheld a high press through the end of the half, impeding Washington’s ability to play out of the back. Schupansky made an effort in stoppage time, arcing a strike from distance towards the far post, but it sailed just over the top corner. The teams went into the half level at 0-0.
The second half opened with Washington struggling to string together possessions in the first minutes. In the 51’, the Legacy sent the ball out wide to Barbara Olivieri, who delivered an on-target volley from the corner of the six-yard box, but the attempt was punched out by the keeper. Both sides remained composed and intentional in their shape and passing. Washington attacked in the 58’, but the shot was deflected out.
The Legacy’s first substitutions came in the 60’: Nichelle Prince and Lilly Reale replaced Sammy Smith and Nicki Hernandez. Boston sped up their play, switching the field as they looked for seams in the defense. A 63’ give-and-go between Aïssata and Schupansky in the box produced a promising shot by Aïssata, but MacIver made the save. After a brief battle for possession in Washington’s box, Aïssata found the far corner off an assist from Prince, putting the Legacy up 1-0 in the 81’.
Boston brought Aleigh Gambone and Amanda Gutierres off the bench at 84’, replacing Schupansky and Aïssata. Guttieres made an immediate impact, delivering a shot in the 86’ that rattled off the post. Casey Murphy made a series of saves in the 89’, preserving the Legacy lead. At 90+1’, Trinity Rodman’s header went just wide.
The Legacy made a final substitution at 90+3, sending Josefine Hasbo into the game for Barbara Olivieri. Just a minute later, Gutierres found herself in a one-on-one with a Washington defender at distance and calmly curled the ball past MacIver, who had come off her line. Gutierres struck again at 90+5, finishing a close-range assist from Lilly Reale to secure the win for the Legacy.
Starting XI: Casey Murphy, Nicolette Hernández, Deja Davis, Jorelyn Carabalí, Bianca St-Georges, Barbara Olivieri, Annie Karich, Alba Caño, Aïssata Traoré, Sammy Smith, Sarah Schupansky
Substitutes: Laurel Ivory, Lilly Reale, Kaka, Emerson Elgin, Josefine Hasbo, Amanda Allen, Amanda Gutierres, Ella Stevens, Nichelle Prince, Aleigh Gambone
BY THE NUMBERS
Attendance: 15,588
Shots: Boston Legacy 13, Washington Spirit 8
Shots on goal: Boston Legacy 6, Washington Spirit 3
Corner Kicks: Boston Legacy 5, Washington Spirit 2
Fouls: Boston Legacy 8, Washington Spirit 11
Yellow Cards: Boston Legacy 2, Washington Spirit 3
Red Cards: None
Saves: Boston Legacy 3, Washington Spirit 3
UP NEXT
The Legacy host Houston Dash at Centreville Bank Stadium at 2 pm on September 20, live on CBS.
About Boston Legacy Football Club
Boston Legacy FC is the 15th team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), currently playing its inaugural season at Gillette Stadium and Centreville Bank Stadium. Founded and led by women, the club is committed to creating a home for the greatest female athletes of our time, building upon the supercharged legacy of Boston’s historic sports teams, cultivating a community of fans with impact at its core, and forging new connections across our city through sport. For more information, please visit bostonlegacyfc.com or its social media platforms – LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter (X), Tiktok, Bluesky, Facebook
