Boston Legacy Defeats Thorns 4-2 Despite Sophia Wilson's Red Card

The Thorns aimed to improve their playoff positioning but faced a setback when U.S. women's national team forward Sophia Wilson received a straight red card in the 22nd minute for pulling the hair of Boston defender Laís Araújo in a struggle. This marks only the second red card of Wilson's NWSL career, her first occurring in 2024 when she was sent off from the bench for delaying the game. As a result of this recent ejection, Wilson will miss the Thorns' next game against Bay FC on October 18.

The Legacy took immediate advantage of their numerical supremacy. Alba Caño opened the scoring in the 35th minute, followed shortly by Sarah Schupansky, who tallied her first goal for Boston just four minutes later.

Portland fought back, and in the 60th minute, forward Pietra Tordin was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Boston goalkeeper Casey Murphy. Tordin, recently called up to the senior U.S. national team, successfully converted the penalty.

The contest remained tight, prompting Boston to substitute in Aleigh Gambone and Amanda Gutierres. Within three minutes, Gutierres scored, extending Boston's lead back to two goals, making it her fifth goal off the bench this season.

Portland responded quickly, with Shae Harvey scoring just two minutes later for her first professional goal since joining the Thorns ahead of the season.

Gutierres struck again three minutes later, bringing her total to an NWSL-record six goals as a substitute in a single season. She also made history as the first player in league history to have multiple braces as a substitute in one season. Boston's impressive performance also included a league record of eight stoppage-time goals this season, leading the NWSL with 12 goals scored by substitutes.