The Washington Spirit are returning to the NWSL championship final after a decisive 2-0 victory over the Portland Thorns at a sold out Audi Field. The crowd of 19,365 cheered the Spirit on as they controlled the possession and chances through most of the game, with a goal in each half. The first half saw Rose Kouassi get to a ball that was cleared on a Thorns corner and run the length of the field. Just before the Thorns goalkeeper could come out and challenge, Kouassi sent the ball across goal where Gift Monday was able to beat her defender and tap the ball in the for the lead. The second half goal came after a bad back pass to the Thorns goalkeeper that Croix Bethune was able to pounce on. After getting around the keeper near midfield, she was able to run unopposed and score on the open net. The Spirit will face the winner of NY/NJ Gotham FC versus the Orlando Pride in San Jose on November 22.
