Washington Spirit controlled their Sunday afternoon quarterfinal match against the Portland Thorns, winning 4-1 after a first half blitz of goals by Mélissa Bethi, Clara Luvanga, and Trinity Rodman. Portland’s Pietra Tordin won one back in the second half, but another goal from Rodman solidified Washington’s lead and helped ensure they would move on to the semifinals next week.

Looking more dynamic and confident than they have in months, the Spirit dominated the first half and were nearly as effective in the second. Easily forcing turnovers, they maintained 59 percent of possession and outshot their opponents 16 to 11 (12 to three in the first half), in addition to scoring three goals. Defensively, they were able to weather the Thorns’ few attacks, though the defensive unit was called upon to make a few big blocks.

The first goal was representative of much of the half. In just the sixth minute, Rodman stole the ball from Portland’s Carolyn Calzada along the right side and drove towards goal, dodging defenders and making it close before cutting the ball back to the far corner of the goal area. It bounced past several Portland defenders before Bethi rushed onto it and tapped it in.

In the 33rd minute, Luvanga pressed high to capitalize on a short pass to goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. As Arnold prepared to take a second-touch pass, Luvanga put her body in the way of the ball, pushing it into the goal instead.

Just moments after, Luvanga got the ball in space and proceed toward goal. Choosing her moment, she passed it to Rodman, who had drifted in to receive it and was able to quickly direct it on-frame for another goal.

“Trin’s performance, I think, has been outstanding,” coach Adrián González said. “I have no words. I know her potential, but every day, showing something different.”

Portland made two first half substitutions after the third goal, but the change did little to slow the Spirit’s attack. They fit in a few more chances before the half time whistle and headed to the locker rooms still up by three. Esme Morgan said spirits were high, but the team talked about “not resting on our laurels” and making sure they stayed focused to get the job done in the second half.

The warning was necessary. Especially early in the second half, the Thorns were more effective at creating chaos in the penalty area, as well as using Morgan Weaver’s speed on the wing to play more direct and create chances for Sophia Wilson. In the 50th minute, Wilson got the ball in the box and shrugged off Tara Rudd’s attempted takeaway. MacIver blocked Wilson’s shot, but the ball went out for a corner. The Spirit blocked the initial cross but were unable to clear the ball, allowing Tordin a shot that chipped over MacIver’s shoulder into the goal.

Tordin had another opportunity shortly thereafter, but this time, the Spirit were ready. After her shot was blocked, they launched a counterattack, eventually finding Luvanga for another run towards the goal. With Sofia Cantore as an option first outside and then cutting in, Luvanga opted to keep the ball and cross it to the far post, linking up with Rodman yet again to regain the Spirit’s three-goal lead.

González complimented the composure his team showed in their reaction to Portland’s goal, noting that the Thorns’ decision to play more direct made them more dangerous but also opened spaces for the Spirit to attack.

“I think we had a great response on that,” he said.

Portland would have five more chances before the end of the match, but Washington’s defense was largely able to limit their angles, assisting MacIver to a match-total of six saves. Jayden Perry’s foul on Rodman just outside the box in the 89th minute gave the Spirit a final big opportunity, while getting herself sent off with a second yellow. The resulting free kick by Tara Rudd went just wide of the goal, looping instead into the outside netting, but the Spirit’s had already succeeded, and the sell-out crowd’s exuberant reaction at the end of three minutes’ stoppage time capped off a splendid afternoon for the home team.

Up next: The Spirit will play the Utah Royals in the semifinals next weekend, although exact date and time are yet to be announced.

Three takeaways 

• Venue uncertainty. A scheduling conflict means the Spirit may have to play their semifinal match at the Washington Commanders’ Northwest Stadium instead of their beloved “Rowdy Audi.” The NWSL has yet to confirm plans for next weekend, but several players who were asked about the possibility post-match expressed a preference for staying at their regular home field. Still, Rodman summed up the team’s response to a possible change in venue stoicly, “We’re always prepared for what we need to do. I don’t personally think we need to make it into something that it’s not,” she said. “This team has been so good at adapting to difficult conditions, so whatever it is, we’ll be ready for it.”
• Pressing the advantage. Much of the Spirit’s dominance can be credited to their aggressive press, allowing them to win balls high and force mistakes. Gabby Carle explained the strategy, “The higher you can get the ball back, the further they are from our goal.” She said Washington had overall decided to be an aggressive team in this match and, “Portland felt that today, it was really hard for them to get out.”
• Finally getting the goals. Despite their talented class of attacking players, the Spirit have often struggled to create quality chances or to finish those they do create. In this match, they finally delivered on the promise of that talent, although González struggled to explain what had finally made things click for his team, suggesting it could be the extra motivation of playoffs. “It was such an amazing feeling. I can’t remember the last time we scored this early and been this dominant,” Carle said in the post-match press conference. Rodman joked to her that it may have been the third match of the season, and Carle replied, “I mean, it’s coming together now, which is really all that matters.”

Box Score

NWSL Quarterfinals

Washington Spirit 4 (Bethi 6′, Luvanga 34′, Rodman 35′, 59′)
Portland Thorns 1 (Tordin 51′)

Lineups

Washington Spirit (4141): Sandy MacIver; Tara Rudd, Lucia Di Guglielmo (Paige Metayer 86′), Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan; Mélissa Bethi (Monique Ngock 77′), Leicy Santos (Claudia Martinez 86′), Andi Sullivan (C); Trinity Rodman, Clara Luvanga (Ashley Hatch 67′), Sofia Cantore (Rose Kouassi 67′)

Portland Thorns (442): Mackenzie Arnold; Carolyn Calzada (M.A. Vignola 38′), Reyna Reyes, Isa Obaze (Sam Hiatt 72′), Jayden Perry; Jessie Fleming (C), Nina Nijstad (Morgan Weaver 51′), Marie Müller (Reilyn Turner 38′); Caiya Hanks, Sophia Wilson, Pietra Tordin

Misconduct Summary

Washington Spirit:  Luvanga 62′, Morgan 82′
Portland Thorns:  Perry 47′, 88′

Lead image of Mélissa Bethi celebrating her opening goal by Jason Taylor