The Washington Spirit are heading back to the NWSL Championship after beating the Portland Thorns 2-0 at Audi Field on Saturday.
Gift Monday found the net for the Spirit for the second playoff game in succession in the first half before Croix Bethune made sure of the victory late on.
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Washington now has a chance to avenge its loss to Orlando Pride in last year’s final. Adrián González’s team will play the winner of Sunday’s second semifinal between Orlando and Gotham FC in the championship game in a week’s time.
The Spirit’s win was made all the more sweeter by the return of star forward Trinity Rodman. The United States international, who had been out for a month with a knee injury and was an unused substitute in last week’s quarterfinal, came on from the bench in the 90th minute to a rapturous ovation from the crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field.
The opening goal Saturday arrived in the 27th minute and was thrillingly created by Rosemonde Kouassi. The Ivory Coast international surged down the right wing from deep inside her own half, all the way into the Thorns penalty area before unselfishly squaring the ball for Monday to finish into an unguarded net.
Sofia Cantore missed a chance to double the home side’s lead when she hit the post from close range midway through the second half. But it was not to matter for Washington, as U.S. international Bethune seized on a loose back pass and ran clear through on goal to seal a place in the final.
The Spirit, the No. 2 seed, reached the semifinals after ousting Racing Louisville in a penalty shootout. It remains unbeaten through six home playoff games after defeating a Portland team that was competing in a record 10th NWSL semifinal.
