Photo Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
The Washington Spirit defeated Shield leaders NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-0 on Saturday to book their place in the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League playoffs. Meanwhile, the San Diego Wave beat the North Carolina Courage 2-1 to secure the top four playoff seed and home team rights.
The clash in Washington was what you’d expect from these two top-of-the-table teams, but the home side created more quality scoring opportunities. The game-winner came in the 70th minute when midfielder Mélissa Bethi sent the ball into the box for Lucia Di Guglielmo, who positioned herself well, gathered and headed home for a 1-0 lead. This was his first goal after joining the Spirit.
In North Carolina, the Wave opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a long-range goal by Melanie Barcenas. Her seventh goal of the season set a new NWSL single-season record for goals scored by a junior, while Lia Godfrey’s assist tied the club’s single-season record. The visitors extended their lead in the 52nd minute when Gia Corley put Trinity Byars through and the forward chipped the ball over goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan for her 11th goal of the season, the most by a San Diego player since Alex Morgan in 2022.
Vilde Bøe Risa halved the lead in the 83rd minute with her first goal since joining the Courage mid-season on an assist from Ashley Sanchez. North Carolina threatened to tie it in stoppage time, but San Diego secured all three points and guaranteed a home playoff quarterfinal.
These two results prevented Gotham from capturing the Shield and fell within just one point of the wave leaders, with Gotham in first place with 55 points and San Diego in second place with 54 points. The Spirit is not far behind with 52 points.
