The Washington Spirit beat the Portland Thorns 2-1 in front of 16,007 fans at Audi Field, in Washington, DC, on a sunny August Sunday. The Spirit took the early lead on a cross from Rosemonde Kouassi to Gift Monday in the 17th minute. The Spirit controlled much of the first half before Portland was able to put a goal in just before the mid-game break, leaving the game tied at the half. The second half was again largely controlled by the Spirit with occasional forays by Portland. Trinity Rodman, returning after a number of months away from the team due to rehab for her back injury, made her return and saved the day for the Spirit with a half volley goal on a Courtney Brown cross that Croix Bethune was able to tap onward to Rodman. The goal, in the 92nd minute, put the Spirit on top and shot them to 2nd in the live league standings with one game left to play for the week.
