Portland Thorns FC
No results can be found
Showing results for:
-
Athletes
-
Pages
-
News
Athletes
Pages
News
Washington, D.C. (11/01/2026) – The Washington Spirit took a 2-0 decision over Chicago Stars FC at Audi Field on Sunday evening, locking up the third overall seed and a home quarterfinal in the upcoming NWSL Playoffs in the process. With a crowd of 19,322 in attendance, the match was Washington’s sixth sellout of the 2026 regular season.
Washington opened the match with 68 percent possession across the first 15 minutes of play but was only able to manage two shots in the attacking third, one blocked and one off target. Chicago found its footing with several strong chances on offense over the following 15 minutes with four shots of its own, including one on target from forward Mallory Swanson to force a save by Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
In the 33rd minute, the Spirit had its best look at the Chicago net so far when forward Trinity Rodman found a driving Ashley Hatch with a centering cross but Hatch’s shot was saved by Stars FC keeper Alyssa Naeher. The match went to halftime after just one minute of stoppage time with both sides still looking to break the seal.
The Spirit put forwards Clara Luvanga and Tamara Bolt into the match for Hatch and Rosemonde Kouassi, respectively, to start the second half. Finally, in the 62nd minute, Washington broke the deadlock with a goal. Defender Lucia Di Guglielmo forced a Chicago own goal from Michelle Alozie to put the Spirit up 1-0.
Washington sent Sofia Cantore on in the attacking third, replacing Mélissa Bethi in the 78th minute as the side looked to extend its lead. Seven minutes later, Rodman delivered with a one-timer off a service from Luvanga. The Tanzanian sent a cross from the right side of the pitch toward Rodman who did the rest, tallying her 12th goal of the season.
The Spirit defending third stood tall to close out the match across a lengthy ten minutes of stoppage time. Chicago threatened on the attack but Washington protected its 12th clean sheet of the season. With the win, Washington locked up a home quarterfinal match for the third straight season and will stay in DC to kick off the playoffs next weekend.
Next up, the Spirit will host Portland Thorns FC in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs on Sunday, November 8 at 3 p.m. EST.
-NWSL Match Report-
Match: Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Stars FC
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
Kickoff: 5 p.m. EST
Weather: Partly sunny, mid-50s
Scoring Summary:
| Goals | 1 | 2 | F |
| Washington | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | 0 |
WAS – Michelle Alozie – 62′ (OG)
WAS – Trinity Rodman – 85′ (assisted by Clara Luvanga)
Lineups:
WAS: 18 – Sandy MacIver; 14 – Gabrielle Carle; 24 – Esme Morgan; 9 – Tara Rudd; 13 – Lucia Di Guglielmo (26 – Paige Metayer, 88’); 10 – Leicy Santos (8 – Monique Ngock, 89’); 12 – Andi Sullivan; 7 – Mélissa Bethi (27 – Sofia Cantore, 78’); 2 – Trinity Rodman; 33 – Ashley Hatch (25 – Clara Luvanga, 46’); 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi (16 – Tamara Bolt, 46’)
Unused Substitutes: 28 – Sara Wojdelko; 5 – Élisabeth Tsé; 11 – Claudia Martínez; 35 – Madison Haugen
CHI: 1 – Alyssa Naeher; 11 – Nádia Gomes; 3 – Sam Staab; 77 – Maitane López; 5 – Michelle Alozie; 23 – Micayla Johnson (4 – Jenna Bike, 78’); 34 – Tessa Dellarose (14 – Taylor Wood, 90+2’); 10 – Brianna Pinto; 28 – Emma Egizii (20 – Bea Franklin, 90+2’); 7 – Julia Grosso (31 – Anna Gasper, 61’); 9 – Mallory Swanson. (18 – Simone Charley, 61’)
Unused Substitutes: 22 – Halle Mackiewicz; 6 – Oihane Valdezate; 15 – Elise Evans; 27 – Katie Atkinson
Stats Summary: WAS / CHI
Shots: 18 / 19
Shots On Goal: 3 / 4
Saves: 4 / 3
Fouls: 9 / 10
Offsides: 2 / 0
Misconduct Summary:
WAS – Ashley Hatch – 22′ – Yellow Card
CHI – Michelle Alozie – 56′ – Yellow Card
CHI – Tessa Dellarose – 60′ – Yellow Card
Drag & View 360°
