On Sunday, Claudia Martinez scored her second consecutive game-winning goal to lead the visiting Washington Spirit to a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign.
In other games in the National Women’s Soccer League, host Kansas City defeated the Chicago Stars 3-0, while Bay FC played to a scoreless draw with the Utah Royals.
In the 47th minute, the Spirit successfully defended Laine’s corner kick, but Trinity Rodman went down with priority to her right ankle. Rodman returned to the game, but was sent off in the 56th minute.
In the 84th minute, Gabriel Carle delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Martinez to score the only goal of the game.
Goalkeeper Sandy McIver made three saves and kept his fifth clean sheet of the season. The Spirit (5-1-3) have won five straight and are undefeated in their last eight games.
The Seattle Reign (3-3-2) has not scored in 409 minutes and is winless in its last four games.
Chawinga’s hat-trick boosts current win
Two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga scored three goals against the Stars, earning him his first regular season hat trick for Current.
Chawinga gave Current (4-4-0) the lead in the 22nd minute off a deflection from defender Sam Staab and an assist from Croix Bethune.
Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Neher tried to cut out a cross, but the rebound hit Chawinga in the path of Chawinga, who scored his second goal in the 47th minute. Two minutes later, Michelle Cooper’s short lofted pass found Chawinga, completing her hat-trick.
Current goalkeeper Lorena made three saves in her first clean sheet of the season.
This was Chawinga’s first hat trick, and his first of the 2026 NWSL season.
The Chicago Stars (2-7-0) have lost their third straight game.
Utah State’s shutout streak continues
With the scoreless draw against Bay FC, the Utah Royals extended their shutout streak to five games.
Utah captain Paige Cronin had two breakaway chances in the 68th and 89th minutes, but both were stopped by Bay goaltender Jordan Silkowitz. Meanwhile, Royals goaltender Mandy McGlynn made a save to maintain the clean sheet.
Bay FC (3-3-1) achieved a shutout victory for the second year in a row.
The Royals (5 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws) had their winning streak stopped at five. However, the consecutive shutout record lasted until 468 minutes.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
