Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns: Preview, time, and how to watch
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Semifinals: Spirit Vs Thorns
Two postseason contenders meet on Saturday afternoon as the Washington Spirit host Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field in a 2025 NWSL semifinal. Washington is aiming for its second straight championship appearance and fourth in club history. Portland enters its tenth semifinal—more than any club in league history—and seeks its fifth trip to the title match. Both sides are coming off extra-time quarterfinal wins and arrive carrying strong momentum into the weekend.
Washington advanced after a 1–1 draw with Racing Louisville that went to penalties, where the Spirit converted three of four attempts and Aubrey Kingsbury recorded two saves. The Spirit have now sold out four consecutive playoff matches at Audi Field and six home games in the last 17 months. Portland reached the semifinals with a 94th-minute winner from Reilyn Turner, assisted by Olivia Moultrie, and carries a three-match shutout streak into the weekend.
🌟 Key Player: Attacking Third
Washington’s front line has been sharp in recent weeks, generating consistent chances and forcing defensive mistakes. Their ability to turn possession into clear looks will be tested against a Portland back line that hasn’t conceded in three straight matches.
👀 Watch Out For: Reilyn Turner & Olivia Moultrie
Turner has scored in both of her postseason appearances, including last weekend’s extra-time header. Moultrie leads Portland with eight goals this season and remains their central playmaker, responsible for creating most of the Thorns’ high-quality chances.
🚨 Challenges:
• Washington Spirit: Managing injuries and absences while maintaining control of possession. Washington led Portland this season in goals, assists, big chances, and possession but conceded more total shots and shots on target.
• Portland Thorns: Handling Washington’s rhythm at Audi Field, where the Spirit have won the last two meetings with stoppage-time winners. Sustaining their defensive form against a high-volume Spirit attack will be a major test.
⏪ Previously:
Washington holds a two-match home win streak over Portland but trails in the all-time series at 5–16–9. Their last Audi Field meeting ended in a 2–1 Spirit win, highlighted by Trinity Rodman’s late strike in her return from injury.
📋 Availability
Portland Thorns
🤕 Out: Mimi Alidou (excused absence), Julie DuFour (SEI – knee), Caiya Hanks (SEI – knee), Marie Müller (SEI – knee), Nicole Payne (SEI – knee), Olivia Wade-Katoa (maternity leave), Morgan Weaver (SEI – knee), Sophia Wilson (maternity leave)
❓ Questionable: M.A. Vignola (ankle)
Washington Spirit
🤕 Out: Gabby Carle (thigh), Ashley Hatch (maternity leave), Lyza Jessee (SEI – wrist), Casey Krueger (maternity leave), Ouleye Sarr (SEI – back), Andi Sullivan (maternity leave)
❓ Questionable: Trinity Rodman (knee)
📍 Location: Audi Field
⏰ Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
🧑⚖️ Referee: Brad Jensen
📺 Watch: CBS, Paramount+
Tom Bogert and Meg Linehan are reporting this morning that this looks like it’s going to be Rodman’s final home game for the Spirit
They need to raise the salary cap. It would be so foolish to let her go when it seems like she wants to stay!
Tara McKeown isn’t even questionable?!?
If she can start, what an iron woman. Saw that injury straight across from me at the stadium, I was sure she was out for a month.
Tough as nails
Yeah, I’m fairly certain that, even if my athletic ability and training had been up there to that level, I absolutely wouldn’t have chosen to pursue being a pro athlete. Best case scenario is that you’re so central to your team that pain from a remotely playable injury is something you just have to shoulder. I can’t imagine trying to run down a professional sprinter while your ankle screams the whole time.
Pretty ridiculous that CBS prioritized a beekeeping episode of “The Visioneers” over very basic pregame coverage of a pivotal NWSL semifinal.
Like, in what universe are people watching the former?
Sounds like Claudia Pagan is the on field reporter!
Glad she’s part of this, but man, DC shame
Watching from home, I think Monday was brilliantly on
Well, without technology to prove it, chalked off. Booo!!!
Well today started well at least for me. As the US triumphed over Romania 26-18 this morning. The draw for the 2027 World Cup in Australia is on Dec 6th.
Bethune forced a save out of the Portland keeper.
It’s very early, but the attack is looking much more dangerous than last week.
A bit surprised that a team like the Thorns has what looks to be some pretty brittle individuals in their defensive unit. Still, gotta exploit
Portland has survived the early pressure from the Spirit and is now pressuring back.
There it is! That goal has been coming on that lightning fast counter.
There we go!! Excellent work by Kouassi
Kouassi and Monday are just that fast
1-0 Spirit
You could have added another 100 yards of track to that play, the defense was never gonna be able to track back before the two of them slowed for a moment of composure
What a run by Rose! What a finish by Gift!
Fantastic save on an Esme shot
The Thorns are gonna go to the head injury well a lot to slow momentum.
Gift’s having a great game. Case in point, that track back when we were lacking numbers for a Thorns counter, forced the safe pass and allowed shape to be reconstituted
Our offensive talent even without Rodman in the mix dwarfs The Thorns. We need that second, though
Yeah, somehow the Spirit going ahead by one has made me more nervous?
I’m also in that club. Don’t let the Thorns hang around.
Count me in there too.
Well, I have to painfully tear myself away to make up a commitment I missed last Saturday being at Rowdy.
Will watch the rest of this on record, definitely set the next event to record as well, just in case, but hopefully The Spirit can fully realize the dominance they clearly have.
Croix has so much swagger
Oh man, excellent press from Croix there and then she just BURIES it!! That’s the 2-0 we needed!
Not for nothing, but I also think that makes it more likely Trin sees the field and gets her (maybe?) swan song
Sure enough, here’s Trin for her 10 minute runout.
Damn that was fun.