Washington Spirit booked their place in the NWSL playoff semifinals with a convincing 4–1 victory over Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field on Sunday, November 8. Trinity Rodman’s goals in the 35th and 58th minutes headlined a clinical attacking display, with the hosts establishing a three-goal advantage before halftime.
Early breakthrough, then a decisive double blow
Melissa Bethi gave Washington the ideal start with the opening goal in the sixth minute, immediately leaving Portland chasing the quarterfinal.
The Spirit then took a firm grip on the fixture with two goals in quick succession. Clara Luvanga doubled the lead in the 34th minute, and Rodman added Washington’s third in the 35th. That devastating burst sent the hosts into the interval 3–0 ahead and left the Thorns facing a daunting second-half task.
Rodman answers Portland’s response
Pietra Tordin offered Portland a route back into the contest with a goal in the 51st minute, reducing the deficit to 3–1. For a brief spell, the visitors had something to build on.
Washington’s response arrived just seven minutes later. Rodman struck again in the 58th minute, completing her brace and restoring the three-goal cushion. Any prospect of a sustained Portland comeback had been sharply checked.
Clinical Spirit finish the job
Washington finished with 59 percent possession and a 16–11 advantage in total shots. Their finishing proved particularly decisive: four of their five efforts on target produced goals. Portland registered seven shots on target but could turn that threat into only one goal.
The visitors’ difficult afternoon ended with Jayden Perry’s dismissal in the 88th minute, having earlier received a yellow card in the 47th. Washington’s Luvanga and Esme Morgan were also booked, in the 62nd and 82nd minutes respectively.
By the final whistle, the Spirit had delivered an emphatic knockout-stage result. An early breakthrough, a ruthless first-half burst and Rodman’s timely second-half reply carried Washington into the last four, while Portland’s playoff run came to an end.
