With 28 points already in pocket coming into the day, the Washington Spirit aided in their playoff push with a 3-2 win against Bay FC before a record crowd in San Francisco.
Kate Wiesner and Croix Bethune scored in the seventh and 39th minutes, respectively, as Washington (9-4-4, 31 points) took over second place in the NWSL league standings, moving past the Orlando Pride, who next play on Aug. 29, and San Diego Wave FC, who take on Louisville Sunday.
Playing in front of a NWSL record 40,091 fans (surpassing the previous record of 35,038 for Chicago’s June 8, 2024 match with Bay FC), Bay FC (4-8-5, 17 points) overcame an own-goal late in the first half with a tally from Racheal Kundananji three minutes later, cutting a 3-0 deficit down to 3-1.
A 54-minute goal by Kelli Hubly drew them closer, but the Spirit held Bay FC off the sheet the rest of the way. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury knocked away a last-ditch effort from Jordan Silkowitz in the sixth minute of extra time as part of a five-save day.
–Field Level Media
