NWSL Playoffs Match Recap: Semifinal - Portland Thorns at Washington Spirit

The Portland Thorns' Cinderella season came to a close just one game shy of its fairy tale ending.

With goal contributions from Washington's Gift Monday and Croix Bethune, the Thorns hopes of advancing to the NWSL Finals were quickly diminished.

And with a 2-0 loss to the Washington Spirit, the 2025 season would come to an end for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL semifinals.

Lineups & Prematch

The starting XI was exactly what your STF crew anticipated for this semifinals match up – one that remained the same from their quarterfinals victory a week ago.

That left Pietra Tordin as the offensive threat available off the bench, and a handful of fresh legs ready defensively.

What we couldn't anticipate was what Trinity Rodman's role would be in this semifinals matchup, after suffering a knee injury just a month ago.

Although she was listed as available off the bench, the questions remained: Would we see her? And if so, when would we see her?

The only thing we knew for sure, was that she meant business upon her arrival to a sold out Audi Field, making a statement with the infamous Trinity hair.

Highlights

5' Washington scores – offsides called

Washington burns the high line of the Thorns defense, in what would result in an offside call on the home team. It was a call that would bring back what was an early goal scored by the Spirit.

7' – MACCA magnificence

On a shot from Croix Bethune just outside the box, Mackenzie (MACCA) Arnold leaves it all on the pitch to deflect another early shot from the Spirit – in what would be an early display of first half brilliance from the Portland keeper.

15' The Thorns survive the first-fifteen-minute monster

Despite loads of pressure on the Portland defense early, the Thorns are able to evade the Spirit's offense for the first fifteen minutes.

Loads of pressure, however, was what was expected out of Washington in the first half. Portland has been more of a dominant second half team this year, and the Spirit were backed early by a rowdy home crowd.

27' The Spirit strike first 😮‍💨

On a counter off the Portland corner, Rose Kouassi takes the ball COAST-TO-COAST and delivers a cross in the box to Gift Monday, who puts the Spirit up 1-0.

44' YELLOW CARD KOUASSI

A tactical foul to stop Fleming's counter, Kouassi sacrifices a yellow card to slow down a potential offensive break for the Thorns – off of what was a beautiful move from Fleming to create space, I might add.

+4 minutes of stoppage time added

Halftime: Spirit 1, Thorns 0

The Thorns put themselves in a position to find success in the second half, facing a narrow 1-0 deficit.

Although they were proven to be a better second half team this year, would it be enough this time on the road in the NWSL semifinals?

50' Castellanos find some space

Finally an opportunity for Portland in the box, but a Castellanos header is gobbled up by Washington's keeper, Aubrey Kingsbury.

63' PORTLAND SUBS

The exact move that felt needed at this point in the game – Pietra Tordin for Alexa Spaanstra and Mallie McKenzie for Kaitlyn Torpey – more offense for the Thorns and a swap for the struggling Torpey.

67' YELLOW CARD JESSIE FLEMING

A clean, yet inadvertent, kick to the back of Gift Monday's ankle books Fleming with a yellow card in the 67th minute.

69' The Thorns stay alive

A flurry of chaos and opportunities in the box for Washington ended in a shot off the goal post, and the Spirit are unsuccessful in their latest attack with the score remaining 1-0. With just about 20 minutes of regular time remaining, the Thorns hopes stayed alive to deliver the equalizer late in this one.

I can assure you that despite the outcome of this game, Washington will reflect on all of the missed opportunities offensively that this team had.

And another moment for Mackenzie Arnold, who continued to shine in the 2nd half, keeping Washington out of her goal and the hope alive for her team.

82' PORTLAND SUBS

Fresh legs for Portland, as Rob Gale opts to bring on Daiane for Reilyn Turner and Laila Harbert for Deyna Castellanos.

82' A costly error delivers the final blow

Sam Hiatt attempts a pass to her keeper, but her ball just falls short and allows Croix Bethune to essentially solidify her team's spot in the NWSL Finals.

With an open pitch and even more open net, Bethune collected the ball, rounded Arnold, and delivered the dagger and put the Spirit up 2-0 in the 82nd minute.

86' and the final swap for the Thorns

Jayden (JP) Perry comes onto the pitch, replacing Sam Hiatt.

89' Here comes Trinity ...

For the first time since October 15th, Trinity Rodman stepped foot onto the pitch for the Washington Spirit. A move, you can only imagine, was made to put Rodman in front of Rowdy Audi one last time this season, who erupted at her appearance late in this semifinal.

Joining her in this substitution was Paige Metayer, replacing Rose Kouassi. Rodman would replace Sofia Cantore.

+7 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Washington 2, Portland 0

Final Thoughts

This was a game we've seen all too many times this season from the Thorns – one that featured offensive opportunity for the other team, and lacked as much from those representing the City of Roses.

Washington achieving a result like this against other NWSL foes in the regular season was one that allowed the Thorns to make up ground week-to-week in the standings – but in the playoffs quickly brought the fate of their season to a screeching halt.

Nevertheless, it is important to point out the outright firepower of this Spirit team, and a home field advantage that was most definitely apparent today. It was one that the Thorns were also facing nearly 3,000 miles away from home.

2025 was a season that deserves celebration both for this team and this city – as what was demonstrated by the emotion on the field post-game by captain, Sam Coffey. Tears, I can imagine, both out of pride for what this team has accomplished, and also grief for what they were so close to achieving.

And as my site manager, Sam Svilar, pointed out – if you take anything away from today, it should be excitement in anticipation of the Portland Thorns taking the pitch in the 2026 season.