Published on May 21, 2026 under National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release
Pachuca, Hgo. – The Washington Spirit advanced to the 2025-26 Concacaf W Champions Cup final with a 1-0 win over host side CF Pachuca Femenil in the semifinal round on Wednesday night. The Spirit will take on another Mexican side in Club América Femenil on Saturday night with the North American club title on the line.
Pachuca started the match on the front foot, with two scoring chances in the opening minutes. The team had an opportunity in the box almost immediately but the Spirit was able to deflect the ball out of bounds. Following the ensuing corner kick, a Pachuca attacker connected on a header from close-range off the inside of the post and back out into the box. The Spirit defending third was able to clear the ball before any damage was done.
Washington found its first attempt on target in the 21st minute when forward Trinity Rodman sent a cross into the box for midfielder Leicy Santos whose shot was corralled by Pachuca goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras. Five minutes later, Pachuca was again on the attack as forward Charlyn Corral made a cutback move outside the box and fired a shot on target that Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver was able to get in front of to save.
The Spirit attack had four strong chances at a goal in the final minutes before halftime. In the 40th, Santos took a free kick that made its way through the Pachuca wall but was saved by Barreras. In the first minute of stoppage time, forward Rosemonde Kouassi received a cross near the goal line but had her point-blank shot saved. Shortly after, Kouassi beat Barreras to a loose ball on a breakaway to get through but the ball was deflected just wide enough for the Pachuca defense to catch up. Finally, Rodman found herself racing into the corner of the box and fired a shot past Barreras but the ball went off the post and was cleared as the sides headed into the locker rooms.
Forward Sofia Cantore and defender Lucia Di Guglielmo entered the match for midfielder Andi Sullivan and defender Kate Wiesner, respectively, to start the second half. Pachuca put together two more solid attacking chances in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, nearly connecting on a header deep in the box and sending another shot slightly wide left.
Forwards Claudia Martínez and Gift Monday subbed on for Santos and Kouassi as the Spirit looked for a goal. Martínez would deliver in the 81st minute after…