After watching Gotham FC slide by with a 1-0 win over Reign FC by way of an own goal, it was time to watch the Washington Spirit handle business at home. A sold-out crowd of 19,215 supported the Spirit in their NWSL quarterfinal matchup. The Spirit’s 4-1 win was led by Trinity Rodman’s brace, a crowd-pleasing performance by Clara Luvanga, and a player-of-the-match performance by Melissa Bethi.
Spirit head coach Adrián González came out with a strong starting XI in a 4-1-4-1 that’s been efficient as of late. Gabby Carle, Tara Rudd, Lucia Di Guglielmo, and Esme Morgan started in defense behind a stacked midfield that featured Trinity Rodman, Melissa Bethi, Andi Sullivan, Leicy Santos, and Sofia Cantore. Clara Luvanga was the lone striker.
Thorns head coach Robert Vilahamn arrived in a 4-4-2. Defenders Carolyn Calzada, Reyna Reyes, Isa Obaze, and Jayden Perry had their hands full with the Spirit attack. Marie Müller, Jessie Fleming, Caiya Hanks, and newcomer Nina Nijstad made up the midfield. Attackers came by way of Sophia Wilson and Pietra Tordin.
The Spirit were the first to get on the board less than 10 minutes into the match. Trinity Rodman used her speed and pressed quickly down the left side. Just inches away from the goal line, she passed into the center of the box through traffic and found an unmarked Melissa Bethi. Bethi calmly converted the simple tap-in and put the Spirit up 1-0.
In the 28th minute, the Thorns mounted a response in what would be their first chance on goal. Sophia Wilson sent a through ball to Caiya Hanks, who tried to go near-post on goalkeeper Sandy MacIver, but the ball was deflected out for a corner.
The Spirit bounced back immediately with a chance of their own after Luvanga was played on by a long ball into the attacking third. With two defenders closing her down, she took a shot just inside the 18-yard box and aimed for the far post. The shot went slightly wide of the post, failing to push her side up by two goals.
But the second goal eventually came in the 34th minute from a stunning goal by Luvanga. The high press had proven effective in the first half, and its efficiency was proven by the goal. Showing her elite speed, she closed down the goalkeeper and blocked her pass, which flew into the back of the net. Luvanga led the charge again up the field, this time assisting Trinity Rodman for an unmarked one-timer that sent the home side up 3-0, leaving Portland in complete shock.
The first half of the quarterfinal was just what the Spirit needed: Error-free ball. With 10 shots and 4 landing on target, the Spirit put themselves in a great position to advance.
If anyone watches the NWSL Playoffs, they would tell you not to count a team out until the final whistle. With that being said, the Thorns scored their first goal in the 51st minute. After Leicy Santos failed to clear the ball out of play, the Thorns recovered and crowded the box. With an incoming pass coming going into traffic, the ball bounced around in front of MacIver until it found the foot of Pietra Tordin. Tordin quickly put the ball past MacIver, and in an instant, the Thorns started gaining momentum.
A few minutes later, the Thorns had another chance on MacIver, this time from Caiya Hanks, but the keeper stood tall and stopped their advantage. Immediately moving to the other end, the Spirit pushed the ball up to Clara Luvanga, who had been an absolute menace all afternoon. Using her speed, she pushed past the Thorns’ backline and sent a low cross through the box to Trinity Rodman, who tapped the ball in from a tight angle.
In the 85th minute, the Thorns were mounting pressure through counterattacks. Morgan Weaver had a step on her defender and took a shot on MacIver that was deflected wide.
A few minutes later, Trinity Rodman was fouled outside the 18 by Jayden Perry, who had already received a yellow card earlier in the match. At the issuance of a second yellow, a red card was shown, and Perry was ejected. With the match in their favor and a player advantage, the Spirit turned up the intensity.
[The crowd cheering her name] “It was unbelievable. I think I never have to say anything about the commitment these fans show,” Sandy MacIver began after the match. “It’s such a privilege to be able to play in front of them and be a part of this club.”
“I think the communication was really good,” said Esme Morgan about having the vision to see up field. “I think it started when we had the ball. We were really clear. We did a good job of shutting them down and I think in the moments when they had more sustained attacks, we were really good at communicating with the midfielders, passing on runners and making sure they were aware of who was around them.”
The Spirit are set to host Utah Royals in the semifinal round of the NWSL playoffs this Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12:00 PM/ET. The location is yet to be determined. Get your tickets now.
**Update 9:04 PM/ET** The semifinal location will be Audi Field.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Eyoel Fassil