Washington Spirit remain a top team as NWSL season approaches playoffs
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 10:00 AM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026

The National Women’s Soccer League is in its 14th regular season, with Washington Spirit positioned as a top-two team for the third consecutive year. As of August 5, 2026, the Spirit are striving for a first-place finish amid the final 12 games of the season. With notable international talent and a strong performance, the team aims to secure a championship. The 2026 season has seen two new expansion teams and the Utah Royals performing strongly, adding competition for playoff positioning.
- •Washington Spirit are a top-two team in the NWSL.
- •12 out of 30 regular-season games remain.
- •The Spirit aim for a first-place finish.
- •Two new expansion teams have entered the league this season.
- •Utah Royals are currently on a historic performance streak.
- 10:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Continuity, chaos and Rodman: How Washington Spirit are thriving in NWSL
"International talent and one of league’s most marketable players to fore as league approaches business end The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is just past the midway point of its 14th regular season, with 12 of 30 games remaining in the regular season (though half the league’s teams have one or more games in hand). Despite a number of developments in 2026 – including two new expansion teams and the Utah Royals on a historic tear – some things have stayed consistent. At the moment, that includes a third consecutive season featuring the Washington Spirit as a top-two team. With the business end of the season looming, the mark of success is twofold: maintain that consistency through the end-of-year melee and into the playoffs (easier said than done) and, importantly for the Spirit, level up with a first-place finish in the table and/or a Championship trophy. Continue reading...
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