Rodman Scores Twice as Washington Spirit Rout Portland Thorns 4-1

Trinity Rodman recorded a brace and an assist to lead the third-seeded Washington Spirit past Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL playoffs.

The third-seeded Washington Spirit defeated the sixth-seeded Portland Thorns 4-1 on Sunday to advance to the NWSL playoff semifinals. Trinity Rodman scored in the 35th and 58th minutes, while Melissa Bethi and Clara Luvanga also netted goals for the Spirit. Washington held a 3-0 lead at halftime and will next face the seventh-seeded Utah Royals.

Melissa Bethi opened the scoring in the sixth minute following a low pass from Rodman, who had stripped defender Carolyn Calzada of the ball. Clara Luvanga extended the lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute after pressuring goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold on a back pass. Just one minute later, Luvanga provided the cross for Rodman’s first goal of the match.

Portland narrowed the deficit to 3-1 in the 51st minute when Pietra Tordin finished a ball sent into the box by Jessie Fleming. However, Rodman restored the three-goal cushion seven minutes later, using her left foot to convert a grounded pass from Luvanga.

Discipline played a role in the closing stages as Portland's Jayden Perry was sent off in the 88th minute after receiving her second yellow card for pulling Rodman’s arm. Perry had earned her first booking in the 47th minute. Luvanga received a yellow card in the 62nd minute for a shove on Reyna Reyes, and Washington’s Esme Morgan was cautioned in the 82nd minute for a rough foul, according to ESPN News Services.