NWSL roundup: Spirit hang on to down Bay FC in front of record crowd

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 54th-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.

Royals 0, Gotham 0

Mandy McGlynn racked up seven saves and visiting Utah pulled out its second straight scoreless draw in a defensive tussle with Gotham FC in Harrison, N.J.

The Royals (1-11-5, 8 points) continued their recent run of improved defensive play while coping with a number of on-target attempts from Gotham (5-6-6, 21 points), who are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the league standings.

Ann-Katrin Berger needed to make just one save to keep a clean sheet for Gotham. The hosts also fended off a Utah attack in first-half stoppage time, when Aisha Solorzano hit the crossbar on an open look. The ball came down to her teammate Kate Del Fava, but Gotham defender Emily Sonnett expertly dove in and blocked Del Fava's attempt with her boot.

Current 2, Thorns 0

Ellie Wheeler had a goal and an assist to help Kansas City extend its unbeaten stretch to 10 matches with a win over host Portland.

About 54 seconds into the game, Wheeler raced in unmarked as Izzy Rodriguez sent her a high cross over the Portland defenders' heads, and she headed the ball into the top left corner of the goal. The Current (14-2-1, 43 points) doubled their advantage in the 71st minute on Temwa Chawinga's league-high-tying 11th goal of the year, which she tapped past goalie Mackenzie Arnold at the end of a run set up by Wheeler.

It was also Kansas City's fifth straight shutout, thanks to Lorena's four saves. Arnold finished with two saves for the Thorns (7-5-5, 26 points).

--Field Level Media