NWSL roundup: Spirit beat Wave late; Gotham, Reign draw

Field Level Media|published: Sun 5th October, 19:22 2025

Oct 5, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Rosemonde Kouassi (19) and San Diego Wave FC forward Delphine Cascarino (20) battle for the ball in the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

Rosemonde Kouassi played hero for the Washington Spirit, collecting both goals in a 2-1 thriller victory against the San Diego Wave on Sunday.

Kouassi began with a threading header in the ninth minute, thanks to an assist from Deborah Abiodun just inside the box. That stood as the only goal until the fifth minute of stoppage time, when Delphine Cascarino of the Wave finished off a calculated offensive drive for the extra-time equalizer.

Three minutes later, Kouassi delivered the game-winning goal on a shot from deep outside the box for the Spirit (12-4-7, 43 points), who continue to sit comfortably at second place in league standings.

While the Spirit haven't lost a match in nearly four months, this heartbreak marks the Wave's (8-8-7, 31 points) seventh straight game without a win, barely hanging onto the eighth and final playoff spot over North Carolina by three points.

Gotham FC 0, Reign 0

Claudia Dickey of Seattle (9-7-7, 34 points) posted five saves to force a stalemate with host Gotham FC (9-6-8, 35 points) in Harrison, N.J.

Defense shined for the Reign as Gotham controlled possession nearly 64 percent of the match, yet its 10 shot attempts proved fruitless. The Reign managed just one shot attempt for the match -- and it was not on frame.

Gotham, which hasn't lost since Aug. 17, maintained third place in the standings and awaits a road date with the league-topping Kansas City Current on Oct. 11.

Gotham and eighth-place San Diego are separated by just four points in the playoff race, with a select few matchdays remaining in the regular season.

Royals 2, Stars 2

Chicago (2-11-10, 16 points) rallied for a draw with Utah (5-11-7, 22 points) in Bridgeview, Ill.

Mina Tanaka etched both of Utah's goals in the second half -- an explosive shot from the bottom arc in the 59th minute and a penalty goal in the 66th minute -- to give the Royals a 2-0 lead.

The Stars brought on Ivonne Chacon and 17-year-old Micayla Johnson in the 79th minute and they paid quick dividends. Chacon answered in the 83rd minute with her first goal in the NWSL, then Johnson added her own first goal for the equalizer in the 86th.

The Royals have been one of the league's hottest teams with no losses since Aug. 8 -- a stretch of eight straight matches.

--Field Level Media

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