WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Spirit beat the Portland Thorns FC 4-1 in an NWSL playoff quarterfinal on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Audi Field, building a three-goal lead before halftime in front of a crowd of 19,215.
Mélissa Bethi put Washington in front in the 6th minute off a setup from Trinity Rodman. Clara Luvanga doubled the lead in the 34th minute, and Rodman made it 3-0 one minute later, finishing a fast break that Luvanga started.
Portland got one back in the 51st minute when Pietra Tordin scored after a corner, with Jessie Fleming providing the assist. The Spirit answered seven minutes later, as Rodman struck again in the 58th minute on another Luvanga feed to restore the three-goal margin.
Rodman finished with two goals and an assist, while Luvanga had a goal and two assists. The match was delayed twice for injuries to Portland players, including goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold in the opening quarter hour.
The win sends Washington into a semifinal against Utah Royals FC at Audi Field on Saturday, Nov. 14, with a noon kickoff. A victory there would put the Spirit in a third straight NWSL Championship, which is set for Audi Field on Saturday, Nov. 21. Washington beat Utah 1-0 on the road on July 29 on a Rodman goal after the teams drew 1-1 in the District on March 25.
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