• Di Guglielmo scores first NWSL goal in 1-0 victory

• Gotham denied chance to clinch NWSL Shield

• San Diego secure top-four seed as Angel City rally

Lucia Di Guglielmo scored her first National Women’s Soccer League goal and the Washington Spirit clinched a playoff spot with a 1-0 victory over Gotham FC on Saturday.

In other NWSL action, the San Diego Wave beat the North Carolina Courage 2-1, Angel City FC defeated the Denver Summit 3-2 and the Kansas City Current shut out the Utah Royals 2-0.

It was the first win for the Spirit (16-8-4) over Gotham since 23 June 2024.

The road loss at Audi Field denied Gotham (16-5-7) a chance to clinch the NWSL Shield and snapped their four-match unbeaten streak.

Spirit midfielder Mélissa Bethi delivered a pinpoint lobbed pass to Di Guglielmo in the 70th minute. She slipped her shot past Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.

Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made two saves for her 10th clean sheet of the season.

Leicy Santos returned from injury and started for the Spirit in her first appearance since 8 August.

After her contract was terminated by the Chicago Stars, Gotham defender Leila Ouahabi started on her debut for her new club.

Wave secure top-four playoff seed

Goals from Melanie Barcenas and Trinity Byars lifted the Wave (17-8-3) to a road victory over the Courage, clinching a top-four playoff seed for San Diego.

Barcenas struck a long-range shot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. The 18-year-old forward scored her seventh goal of the season, breaking the NWSL single-season record for goals by a teenager.

Midfielder Gia Corley’s through-ball found Byars in stride, allowing her to chip goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to make it 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

North Carolina forward Ashley Sanchez found Vilde Bøe Risa in the 83rd minute for her first NWSL goal.

The Courage (13-12-3) have now lost four of their last five matches.

Angel City erase two-goal deficit in comeback

Evelyn Shores and Gisele Thompson combined for three assists as Angel City (13-8-7) scored three unanswered goals in a 3-2 comeback victory at the Summit (10-10-8).

Denver forward Melissa Kössler’s tap-in from a corner gave the hosts the lead in the second minute. Midfielder Lindsey Heaps’ volley doubled the advantage in the 18th. It was her fourth goal in three games.

Angel City responded when defender Shores provided her eighth assist of the season for Sveindís Jónsdóttir in the 32nd minute. Seven minutes later, Thompson slipped a through-ball to Taylor Suarez to make it 2-2. Ally Sentnor scored the winner in the 43rd minute.

Angel City are unbeaten in their last eight games.

Hopkins double gives Current third straight win

Haley Hopkins scored twice to lead the Current (14-9-5) to a road victory over the Royals.

Hopkins headed home the opener from a corner by midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo in the 21st minute. A counterattack in second-half stoppage time saw forward Temwa Chawinga draw the defense toward her before laying the ball off to Hopkins for her second goal.

Lorena made four saves to earn her fourth clean sheet of the season.

The Utah Royals (14-10-4) have been shut out twice in their last four games.