SOCCER: Gotham fall to Spirit

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

Lucia Di Guglielmo scored her first NWSL goal to lead the Washington Spirit to a 1-0 win over Gotham FC, clinching a playoff spot for Washington. This loss ended Gotham’s four-match unbeaten streak and denied them the NWSL Shield, dropping their record to 16-5-7.

Defender Lucia Di Guglielmo scored her first National Women’s Soccer League goal to help the Washington Spirit secure a 1-0 victory over Gotham FC, clinching a playoff berth for Washington. The match, played on the road, ended Gotham’s four-match unbeaten run and prevented the team from securing the NWSL Shield. Gotham’s record dropped to 16-5-7 following the loss.

In Major League Soccer action, Toronto FC defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-0 in Harrison, New Jersey. Dániel Sallói scored in the 82nd minute, with goalkeeper Luka Gavran making three saves to preserve the clean sheet for Toronto.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami posted a 3-1 win against Atlanta United on the road, propelled by Lionel Messi’s performance. Messi assisted the opening goal in the first half and followed with two goals in quick succession early in the second half, securing the victory for Inter Miami.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.