September 7, 2026: Desperate Beats Tired
Portland 1-2 Washington. The first home loss of the season, and the Spirit's first win in Portland ever.
Portland had played ten at home this year and lost none of them. This was the eleventh. Washington came in missing seven players and won anyway.
Sophia Wilson scored from the spot in the 18th, her tenth career penalty from ten attempts. Only one other player in NWSL history has done that. Tara Rudd equalized from the spot in the 59th, given after a video review. Melissa Bethi got the winner in the 80th, her first for the Spirit, set up by Trinity Rodman.
Then the 68th minute. Rudd handled…
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