Washington Spirit clinch NWSL playoff berth with 1-0 win over Gotham
Lucia Di Guglielmo’s first NWSL goal secured Washington’s postseason place and stopped Gotham from sealing the Shield on Saturday.
The Washington Spirit clinched an NWSL playoff berth on Saturday, 17 October, with a 1-0 win over Gotham FC at Audi Field in Washington. Lucia Di Guglielmo scored the only goal, preventing league leaders Gotham from securing the NWSL Shield that day.
How Washington beat Gotham
Di Guglielmo scored her first NWSL goal in the 70th minute after Spirit midfielder Mélissa Bethi sent a lobbed pass into her path. Di Guglielmo slipped the ball past Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, according to The Guardian. The defeat ended Gotham’s four-match unbeaten run.
Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made two saves to record her 10th clean sheet of the season. Leicy Santos returned to the Spirit starting lineup for her first appearance since 8 August after an injury absence. Gotham defender Leila Ouahabi started on her debut for the club following her move from the Chicago Stars.
CBS Sports reported that Washington took 13 shots, including six on target, despite having less possession than Gotham. Spirit coach Adrian Gonzalez described a plan to stay compact, narrow and protect the middle of the field. The result secured Washington’s third consecutive postseason appearance since Michelle Kang took over the club in 2022, according to CBS Sports.
What the result means for the NWSL Shield
Gotham remained first in the standings with 55 points after the defeat but had yet to clinch the Shield, CBS Sports reported. Washington also remained in contention. Gotham’s next opportunity to secure the regular-season title would come the following weekend, according to CBS Sports.
San Diego Wave moved within one point of Gotham by beating North Carolina Courage 2-1 on 17 October. The Sporting Tribune reported that the Wave had 54 points with two regular-season matches left. Their victory guaranteed a top-four finish and a home quarterfinal while the Shield race continued.
Melanie Barcenas put San Diego ahead in the fourth minute, and Trinity Byars doubled its lead in the 52nd. North Carolina cut the deficit in the 83rd minute through Vilde Bøe Risa, but San Diego held on for its fifth consecutive win, The Sporting Tribune reported.
Read in depth: Sports
Kevin Durant and Suns owner Mat Ishbia exchange posts over his Phoenix tenure
The Houston Rockets forward objected to Ishbia’s account of the Suns’ 2023 trade for him. Ishbia said he was describing the team’s direction, not blaming Durant.
IllustrationNBA sportsbook partners bar parlays and other bets vulnerable to manipulation
The league and its betting partners have barred several player and game wagers after reviewing markets linked to earlier gambling scandals, according to reports on October 16.
Sources and context
- Washington Spirit clinch NWSL playoff berth as Gotham miss chance to seal ShieldThe Guardian
- How the Washington Spirit found their playoff form in a gritty 1-0 win over NWSL rivals Gotham FCCBS Sports
- San Diego Wave close gap in NWSL Shield race with win in North CarolinaThe Sporting Tribune (republished by Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.