November 15 | 12:00 PM ET | CBS
The stage is set at Audi Field between two teams fired up and ready to prove themselves.
Fresh off a dramatic penalty shootout win over Racing Louisville, the Washington Spirit return to their fortress, unbeaten in every home playoff match in club history and fueled by a crowd that makes every minute feel like an extra time game winner. They’ll need every ounce of that energy against the Portland Thorns, a side that just clawed through their own extra-time thriller to reach a record 10th NWSL semifinal.
Yes, you read that right. The Thorns have advanced to the semifinals more times than any other club in the league has made it to the playoffs. That’s a winning pedigree that cannot be overlooked.
It’s experience vs. experience, the 2021 NWSL Champs vs. the 2022 NWSL Champs. Two teams that know exactly what playoff pressure feels like, both hunting for redemption after falling short last year.
WHAT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT FOR WASHINGTON SPIRIT
Keep the Audi magic alive and play on the front foot.
Washington’s 3-1 shootout win last week showed everything that defines this group: resilience, grit, and a goalkeeper who thrives under chaos. Aubrey Kingsbury, the league’s all-time shootout save leader, was Player of the Week this past week after denying two of Louisville’s attempts and extending the Spirit’s unbeaten playoff record at home to 3W–0L–2D.
Up front, the Spirit’s attacking trio continues to deliver. Gift Monday, who scored the opener in the quarterfinal, now has nine goals across all competitions. Her connection with Rosemonde Kouassi, responsible for four assists to Monday this year including one last weekend, remains one of the most productive duos in the league. Add in Sofia Cantore’s creativity and Croix Bethune’s vision in midfield, and the Spirit can punish teams in a flash.
Bethune’s duel with Sam Coffey, Portland’s defensive anchor and captain, could define this semifinal. Bethune thrives in chaos and Coffey controls it. Bethune incites energy into her teammates and Coffey calms them under pressure. If Washington’s attack can unbalance that rhythm and force Portland into chasing, they’ll have every chance to punch their ticket to the final.
If Trinity Rodman features, after a brief time recovering from injury, this Spirit team could prove to be undefendable. And of course, there’s Rowdy Audi, one of the toughest places to play in all of women’s soccer.
WHAT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT FOR PORTLAND THORNS
Bring that road fire and lean on your captain.
Portland arrive in D.C. surging yet again. Their extra-time win over San Diego was vintage Thorns, composed under pressure and powered by youth. Reilyn Turner headed home her second playoff goal in as many years off an Olivia Moultrie cross, while Sam Coffey orchestrated another midfield masterclass.
The Thorns have now recorded three straight shutouts for the first time since 2021, anchored by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who earned the club’s first home playoff shutout since 2022. Moultrie – fresh off a contract extension through 2029 – continues to grow into a franchise centerpiece, the answer to the gaping hole that Christine Sinclair’s retirement left. Meanwhile, the rookie duo of Pietra Tordin and Jayden Perry injects a bit of fearless energy this squad has been missing since its last trip to the winners podium.
Portland knows what it’s like to have the crowd behind them – they led the league in attendance again this year – but this time they’ll be on the other side of that atmosphere. Their task? Tune out the noise and make Audi Field quiet.
And for a little extra motivation: it was Washington who ended Portland’s long home winning streak earlier this season. The Pacific Northwest remembers.
DUEL OF CHAMPIONS
Washington has won only five out of 30 of their all-time meetings with Portland (nine draws, sixteen losses), but two of those wins came in the last three matchups, including a 2–1 home victory on August 3 where Rodman scored an emotional goal after months of injury recovery. So the team that will be out there this weekend knows how to overcome the Thorns.
The Spirit are chasing their first championship since 2021. On the other side of the pitch, the Thorns will be chasing their first since 2022 and their fourth overall, a league record. Both advanced through extra time last weekend. Both believe they can go all the way. The difference may come down to a midfield chess match and which goalkeeper blinks first in a postseason so far that has been defined by shootouts and stoppage-time chaos.
Audi Field will be loud, that’s guaranteed. Emotions will be high. And when it’s all said and done, one of these NWSL giants will move one step closer to lifting another trophy.
Don’t miss it! Tune in this Saturday, November 15 at 12:00 PM ET on CBS.
