The Washington Spirit defeated the Portland Thorns FC 2-0 on Nov. 15 in the semifinal round of the 2025 NWSL playoffs, delivering yet another thrilling performance before a sellout crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field.
Saturday’s matchup marked the fourth consecutive playoff sellout, third-highest sellout in club history, and sixth sellout in the last 17 months for the Washington Spirit.
“We all love this city so much and we feel the passion that the people from the DMV have for this place and for this team that represents them,” said defender Esme Morgan. “Obviously it’s been a difficult year for the area. So much has happened and I feel like we feel a responsibility as the Spirit to bring joy to people, and be an event that people can look forward to. And it just feels like such a community and such a family when you’re in the stands… we’re so grateful for the support.”
Washington set the tone early, creating multiple high-intensity chances of scoring and briefly celebrating an opening goal before it was ruled offside. After a video assistance referee (VAR) review, the call was upheld, keeping the match scoreless.
The Spirit’s breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute. After clearing a Portland corner, the Spirit ignited a swift counterattack as forward Rosmonde Kousassi sprinted the length of the field and drove into the box. She squared a pinpoint pass to Gift Monday, who with composure, put the first points on the board, making the score 1-0.
Kouassi’s assists to Monday marked her seventh across all competitions this season, six of which have set up goals for Monday.
Washington maintained their pressure as the half continued, forcing Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into several strong saves. Washington carried its 1-0 advantage into the break, eyeing a victory in their sixth consecutive home playoff match.
“Anticipating the long ball and just seeing that they had one defender back and you’re going against Gift [Monday], so in those odds I’m picking Gift,”said Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune.
Both teams traded chances early in the second half, but the Spirit continued to dictate the flow of the game. A game-defining moment came in the 83rd minute, when Bethune surged forward from midfield. With Arnold out of position, Bethune rounded the keeper and finished confidently, doubling Washington’s lead 2-0.
“The defender kind of scuffled and missed the ball and I just kept running,” said Bethune, “and at that point I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m rocketing this back in the back of the net.’”
Portland pushed for a lifeline through seven minutes of stoppage time, but the Spirit’s disciplined defensive stand denied the visitors any further opportunities to score.
“[Goalkeeper] Aubrey [Kingsbury] just came to the changeroom actually and she was like ‘thanks for making my job easy today guys,’”said Morgan. “ We pressed really well. We jumped out at the right moments and just suffocated them.”
At the final whistle, Washington secured a 2-0 semifinal victory, berthing a NWSL Championship appearance for a second-year in a row.
The Washington Spirit are set to face the New York Gotham FC in the title match on Saturday Nov. 22 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Kickoff is set for 8pm EST.
