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Washington, D.C. (08/02/2026) – The Washington Spirit fell to San Diego Wave FC 0-1 on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Audi Field. The Spirit’s annual Cancer Awareness Day match came after a midweek win on the road in Utah. The team now sits in second place on the NWSL table with 12 matches left to play.
The first ten minutes of the match saw the two sides settling in against the rain. Despite hard fights from both teams, the wet conditions resulted in little action in front of either goal. Both teams scrambled to get used to playing on the slick surface and hold possession. In the 15th minute, San Diego registered two shots on target, but Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver was able to save both efforts.
Ten minutes later, wing back Gabrielle Carle found herself forward and passed the ball to Trinity Rodman at the top of the box. Rodman dragged her shot wide, but the promising move energized the Spirit. San Diego, looking for passes over the top of the Spirit defense, was thwarted by MacIver who was quick off her line to prevent chances in the box. The Spirit defending third shut down Wave FC combinations before the ball could reach the box, not letting the slippery conditions get the best of them.
A close call came late in the first half with a shot by Sofia Cantore after the Wave FC defense bobbled a clearance in front of goalkeeper Sandra Paños. Both sides went into the halftime break level at zero.
The heavy rain continued to pour as the second half kicked off. The Wave had the better chances to start the second half, but the Spirit defense stayed strong, contributing to some impressive shot blocks. Center back Tara Rudd blocked one good San Diego chance near the top of the box to end a threat early in the half.
As the sun came out in the 54th minute, Rodman ran from midfield and sent a rocket of a shot just wide of San Diego’s net. This was followed shortly by Rebeca Bernal who launched her own shot from outside the box, clipping the crossbar and out for a goal kick. In the 60th minute, Wave FC recovered the ball near midfield and pressed toward goal. San Diego got to a deflected ball in the box and was able to chip it over MacIver and into the net for the 1-0 lead.
After conceding the goal, the Spirit brought on some fresh legs with Claudia Martínez taking Cantore’s spot up top and Andi Sullivan replacing Leicy Santos in the midfield. While the Spirit maintained a strong presence in San Diego’s half, the home side struggled to take shots. Tamara Bolt was added to the field in place of Paige Metayer on the left side as Washington searched for an equalizer.
As the match entered the 80th minute, play was held up by a couple of injury breaks on San Diego’s side. The stoppage did not slow down the Spirit as the team turned up the attack but Wave FC’s defending third stood strong to keep Washington off the scoreboard. Washington maintained much of possession throughout the final minutes of the match, including a lengthy stoppage period but San Diego did not concede and took all three points at the final whistle.
Next up, the Spirit will stay put for another home match next weekend against the North Carolina Courage. Kicking off at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 8, the match will air on ION.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Washington Spirit vs. San Diego Wave FC
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2025
Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
Kickoff: 4 p.m. EDT
Weather: Rainy, low-80s
Scoring Summary:
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Washington | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Diego | 0 | 1 | 1 |
SD – Lia Godfrey – 60′
Lineups:
WAS: 18 – Sandy MacIver; 6 – Kate Wiesner (35 – Madison Haugen, 87’); 24 – Esme Morgan; 9 – Tara Rudd; 14 – Gabrielle Carle; 17 – Hal Hershfelt; 4 – Rebeca Bernal; 10 – Leicy Santos (12 – Andi Sullivan, 61’); 2 – Trinity Rodman; 27 – Sofia Cantore (11 – Claudia Martínez, 61’); 26 – Paige Metayer (16 – Tamara Bolt, 75’)
Unused Substitutes: 28 – Sara Wojdelko; 31 – Kaylie Collins; 5 – Élisabeth Tsé; 29 – Emma Gaines-Ramos; 34 – Molly Skurcenski
SD: 12 – Sandra Paños; 75 – Perle Morroni; 14 – Kristen McNabb; 2 – Kennedy Wesley; 16 – Mimi Van Zanten; 22 – Lia Godfrey (9 – Adriana Leon, 83’); 8 – Kimmi Ascanio (10 – Kenza Dali, 65’); 18 – Laurina Fazer; 11 – Gia Corley; 17 – Ludmila (15 – Trinity Byars, 57’); 7 – Melanie Barcenas (19 – Tatum Wynalda, 83’)
Unused Substitutes: 1 – Luisa Agudelo; 6 – Brooklyn Courtnall; 23 – Nya Harrison; 28 – Jordan Fusco
Stats Summary: WAS / SD
Shots: 6 / 15
Shots On Goal: 2 / 6
Saves: 2 / 5
Fouls: 10 / 9
Offsides: 1 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
SD – Melanie Barcenas – 38′ – Yellow Card
SD – Laurina Fazer – 75′ – Yellow Card
SD – Kenza Dali – 90+8′ – Yellow Card
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