Washington Spirit women defeated Portland Thorns FC 2-1 Sunday at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., earning the club’s first victory in Portland. Tara Rudd converted a penalty kick in the 59th minute before Mélissa Bethi scored the match-winning goal in the 80th minute for her first Spirit goal.
Portland took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when Sophia Wilson converted a penalty kick. Washington goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made six saves to keep the deficit at one, including two stops in quick succession during a dangerous Portland sequence before halftime.
Washington Spirit Women Rally After Halftime
Washington drew a penalty in the 56th minute, and Tara Rudd stepped to the spot three minutes later to level the match. The Spirit continued to pressure Portland, including a header from Sofia Cantore that Thorns FC goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved.
Washington completed the comeback in the 80th minute. Trinity Rodman sent a cross from the end line into the center of the box, where Mélissa Bethi finished quickly past Arnold for the lead. Bethi made her first career NWSL start and scored her first goal for Washington Spirit.
Andi Sullivan received two yellow cards late in the match and was sent off. MacIver made two additional saves as Washington protected the lead through the closing minutes.
Historic Win Adds Milestone for Adrián González
The victory marked Washington Spirit’s first win in Portland in club history. It also gave head coach Adrián González his 28th regular-season victory, making him the winningest coach in Spirit history.
Washington Spirit will host Boston Legacy FC at Audi Field at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday, September 13. ESPN will air the match.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Washington Spirit women answered Portland’s early advantage with two second-half goals. Rudd’s penalty kick tied the match before Bethi delivered her first Spirit goal in her first career NWSL start. MacIver’s six saves helped Washington preserve its historic road victory.
Source: Original report
