See below a collection of photos taken from section 137 of Audi Field during the opening match of the 2026 NWSL season featuring the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns. An Olivia Moultrie goal tilted the three points to the visitors in what was a scrappy bout between league heavyweights. The Spirit held a healthy advantage in the possession stat. However, the attack didn’t have quite the cohesive potency we’ve come to see the last few season. They seemed to miss the creative impact of Croix Bethune, who was traded to the Kansas City Current over the off season, and struggled to crack the right combination to fully make up for her absence yet.
Though Portland eventually found a way through, the Spirit’s defense was strong, with a particularly good debut performance from Lucia Di Guglielmo. The Spirit will be disappointed to see all three points go, if only because they usually do produce more in the final third. I expect will do just that in their next match when they travel to face Racing Louisville next weekend.
