The Washington Spirit took down the Portland Thorns 2-1 and earned a valuable three points in their first match after the midseason break. The ultimate highlight of the match was the return of Trinity Rodman and get game-winning goal. History was made in front of the crowd of 16,007 as we witnessed goalkeeper and captain Aubrey Kingsbury pass Tori Huster for most regular-season minutes in Spirit history.
The Spirit started the second half of their NWSL regular season with a series of firsts. After unveiling him to the media weeks ago, Adrián González starts his first match as the official Spirit head coach. New signing Sofia Cantore was introduced to the home crowd, Esme Morgan returns from winning the 2025 Women’s EURO Championship, and Trinity Rodman was listed on the bench after a long absence (back). Leicy Santos was absent due to the Copa América Feminina Final.
The Thorns entered the match one place behind the Spirit (7th) in the NWSL standings. They started with a strong attacking front in Olivia Moultrie, Reilyn Turner, and Mimi Alidou. Star forward Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith) is pregnant and will be out for the remainder of the season.
After five minutes of play, the Spirit pushed forward, looking to start something. Croix Bethune led the charge, and Portland continued to give her space. As she continued to advance, she took a shot from the top of the box that put the goalkeeper on notice. It was a tad too high and rattled off the crossbar.
In the 12th minute, the Spirit threatened again, this time down the right side. Gabby Carle played a beautiful ball down the right flank to Gift Monday. As Monday entered the box, she sent a pass across the face of goal that was deflected out at the last second by Portland’s Kaitlyn Torpey.
The Spirit hit pay dirt in the 17th minute with a goal from Gift Monday. The Spirit continued to penetrate that weakened right side, and this time, it led to a goal. Rosemonde Kouassi sprinted down the right side, outmuscling her defender, and tried another pass across the face of goal. This time, the ball found an unmarked Gift Monday, who tapped it in for an easy goal.
The Thorns had a good chance to tie after Reilyn Turner recovered the ball after a Spirit mistake. She sprinted past three defenders, but they cut off her angle once she reached the box. She tried a wide attempt from the opposite side of the goal, but the ball rolled wide of the post.
Just before halftime, Thorns star midfielder Olivia Moultrie leveled the match at one apiece. After a lot of passing in the midfield, Sam Coffey directed traffic and made sure Moultrie had possession. After setting her boots, she stepped up to the right side of the box and fired a long shot to the far corner, beating Aubrey Kingsbury.
In the 50th minute, Portland saw a decent chance when Olivia Moultrie sent a long ball from center midfield down the left side and found Payton Linnehan. She took a chance from outside the box, but the attempt sailed over the crossbar.
The crowd erupted in the 75th minute as Trinity Rodman entered the pitch for Rosemonde Kouassi. The Washington Spirit and U.S. Women’s National Team star had a dream match after scoring in her first match back from rehab. In 90+1, a ball was whipped into the center of the box on a hope and a prayer. A flick on by Croix Bethune deflected the ball straight to Rodman. She squared her boots and launched the ball into the roof of the net from the right side of the box. After the goal, emotions took over and she fell to the pitch, immediately surrounded by teammates celebrating her comeback.
“I’ve always felt that love from the Spirit,” Trinity said after the match. “Our team is so together. It’s a very close group and it means the world (how they celebrated her).”
“It’s great to be back at Audi in front of these fans and start the second half strong,” said Tara McKeown. She emphasized how the overall feeling was great, but there is room for improvement. “Yeah… We love a late game winner.”
The Spirit will enjoy this afternoon’s win before preparing for their away match on August 9 against Gotham FC.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Eyoel Fassil