Washington, D.C. (11/15/2025) – The Washington Spirit beat Portland Thorns FC 2-0 in the semifinal round of the 2025 NWSL Playoffs this afternoon in front of yet another sellout crowd of 19,365 at Audi Field. With the shutout win, Washington advances to its second consecutive NWSL Championship and fourth in club history. 

The Spirit was on the front foot early, generating several quality chances and even finding the back of the net — only for the goal to be ruled offside. After a VAR review, the call was confirmed, keeping the match level. 

In the 27th minute, the breakthrough finally came. Following a cleared Portland corner, the Spirit launched a clinical counterattack. Rosemonde Kouassi sprinted down the field, using her pace to drive into the box and squared a perfect ball to Gift Monday, who calmly slotted it home to make it 1-0 for the home side. Kouassi now has seven assists across all competitions this year, six of which have come on goals by Monday. 

The Spirit didn’t let up, continuing to apply pressure and called Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into a pair of strong saves as the first half progressed. Washington went into halftime leading 1-0 as it looked to advance in its sixth straight home playoff match. 

Both teams traded opportunities to start the second half, with the Spirit firing on all cylinders, though the hosts’ shots on target went unanswered. The match shifted in the 83rd minute as Croix Bethune found herself charging up from midfield. With Portland’s goalkeeper out of position, Bethune made a move around her and converted on her own, extending the Spirit’s lead with precision and intensity. The match entered seven minutes of stoppage time, with Portland seeking a breakthrough. Met with the Spirit’s defensive momentum, the visitors were unable to create a clear chance.  

As the final whistle blew, the Spirit clinched a 2-0 victory and a berth in its second consecutive NWSL Championship, the fourth in club history. The title match will take place at PayPal Park in San Jose, California on Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST and air on CBS.  

-NWSL Match Report- 

Match: Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC 

Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025 

Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.) 

Kickoff: 12 p.m. EST 

Weather: Cloudy, high-50s 

Scoring Summary: 

WAS – Gift Monday – 27′ (assisted by Rosemonde Kouassi) 

WAS – Croix Bethune – 83’ 

Lineups: 

WAS: 1 – Aubrey Kingsbury; 6 – Kate Wiesner; 9 – Tara McKeown; 4 – Rebeca Bernal; 24 – Esme Morgan; 19 – Rosemonde Kouassi (26 – Paige Metayer, 89’); 7 – Croix Bethune; 17 – Hal Hershfelt; 10 – Leicy Santos (20 – Deborah Abiodun, 72’); 27 – Sofia Cantore (2 – Trinity Rodman, 90’); 21 – Gift Monday 

Unused Substitutes: 28 – Sandy MacIver; 5 – Narumi Miura; 13 – Brittany Ratcliffe; 16 – Courtney Brown; 22 – Heather Stainbrook; 25 – Kysha Sylla 

POR: 18 – Mackenzie Arnold; 2 – Reyna Reyes; 5 – Isabella Obaze; 16 – Sam Hiatt (24 – Jayden Perry, 86’); 20 – Kaitlyn Torpey (29 – Mallie McKenzie, 63’); 21 – Jessie Fleming; 13 – Olivia Moultrie; 17 – Sam Coffey; 10 – Deyna Castellanos (4 – Laila Harbert 82’); 66 – Reilyn Turner (34 – Daiane, 82’); 77 – Alexa Spaanstra (19 – Pietra Tordin, 63’) 

Unused Substitutes: 1 – Bella Bixby; 25 – M.A. Vignola; 33 – Naomi Powell; 88 – Valerin Loboa 

Stats Summary: WAS / POR 

Shots: 16 / 10 

Shots On Goal: 8 / 3 

Saves: 3 / 6 

Fouls: 11 / 7 

Offsides: 2 / 0 

Misconduct Summary: 

WAS – Rosemonde Kouassi – 44’ – Yellow Card 

POR – Jessie Fleming – 67’ – Yellow Card 

NOTE: This article will be updated with more information and quotes. Please check back later.

WASHINGTON TWP. –  As the Washington Township football players celebrated following their 38-7 win in the NJSIAA Central Group 5 final, the Old Bridge side met in an unhappy huddle in the far end zone on Friday, Nov. 14.

Knights head coach Matt Donaghue beckoned the 20 or so seniors to stand up at the front of the semicircle.

“You know what these guys did for the program,” he said, scanning the whole team and coaches. “These guys paved the way.”

He had everyone give a round of applause.

It was a fitting salute as the Knights reached a football sectional final for just the third time in program history to go along with their 2001 and 2015 appearances.

As the big underdogs against a juggernaut, Old Bridge likely needed some breaks, fortunate bounces and some intangible karma to go its way.