Rodman’s brace helps the Spirit into the NWSL semifinals with 4-1 win over the Thorns

WASHINGTON D.C. (AP)– Trinity Rodman scored two times and the Washington Spirit overwhelmed the Portland Thorns 4-1 on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.

The third-seeded Spirit scored two times in 2 minutes to take a 3-0 lead into halftime versus the sixth-seeded Thorns. Washington will deal with the seventh-seeded Utah Royals in the semifinals next weekend.

Rodman assisted open the scoring in the 6th minute. She removed Portland protector Carolyn Calzada of the ball deep in the Thorns’ end, dribbled into the charge location and slipped a low travel through traffic to Mélissa Bethi, who beat goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Clara Luvanga doubled the lead in the 34th minute when Arnold was reluctant over a back pass from protector Isabella Obaze. Luvanga shut down Arnold and scored. A minute later on, she raced into package and crossed for Rodman, who completed for her very first objective.

Pietra Tordin pulled one back for Portland in the 51st minute. The ball came out to Jessie Fleming after a corner kick, and Fleming sent it back into package for Tordin to end up.

Luvanga and Rodman responded to 7 minutes later on. Luvanga drove a grounded pass throughout the charge location, and Rodman fulfilled it with her left foot to bring back Washington’s three-goal lead.

Portland’s Jayden Perry was reserved in the 47th minute for a deal with on Rodman and was sent with 2 minutes left in guideline after making a 2nd yellow card for pulling Rodman’s arm throughout another take on.

Luvanga was scheduled in the 62nd for pushing Thorns protector Reyna Reyes in the back, and colleague Esme Morgan saw yellow in the 82nd for a rough nasty.

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