Spirit shut out Thorns, return to NWSL final

Grift Monday and Croix Bethune scored goals and the Washington Spirit are headed back to the NWSL championship after defeating the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

Aubrey Kingsbury made three saves for the shutout in the semifinal game for the second-seeded Spirit, who've never lost a home postseason match. They are seeking their first championship since 2021.

Next Saturday in San Jose, Calif., the Spirit will meet the winner of the Sunday semifinal between the Orlando Pride and Gotham FC.

The Spirit advanced to their second consecutive NWSL Championship -- they lost last season to Orlando -- and fourth in club history.

Portland goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made six saves.

Monday opened the scoring with a transition goal in the 27th minute, with Rosemonde Kouassi providing the assist with her pass to set up Monday.

Following a Portland corner kick that was headed out of harm's way by the Spirit, Kouassi got free along the right sideline and took the ball all the way into the box, and she was joined by Monday ahead of any Thorns defender. Kouassi's pass connected to Monday.

Bethune's goal came in the 83rd minute after she tipped the ball past Arnold, who was well outside the box, and then dribbled into the box for an uncontested tap-in.

Third-seeded Portland, trying to build on its league-high three championships, came into the game riding a string of three consecutive shutouts.

Washington, which reached the semifinal by defeating Louisville in a penalty-kick shootout, controlled play for much of the match, racking up 16 total shots. The Spirit held an 11-3 edge in corner kicks.

Monday had the first goal in Washington's quarterfinal outing. She also scored in an August home match vs. the Thorns.

--Field Level Media