Spirit roll past Portland 4-1 behind Rodman and Luvanga

The Washington Spirit needed six minutes to get going and about 30 more to put this one away. A 4-1 win over Portland Thorns FC at Audi Field on Saturday left little doubt which team was sharper.

Mélissa Bethi opened the scoring in the sixth minute, burying a right-footed shot from the center of the box after Trinity Rodman set her up. It was a clean, early statement.

Portland never really answered. The Spirit kept coming, and in the 34th minute Clara Luvanga made it 2-0, finishing from very close range. Then, a minute later, Rodman struck. Luvanga turned provider on a fast break, and Rodman slotted a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner. Three goals in 35 minutes. Portland had a long way back.

The Thorns did get one back early in the second half. Pietra Tordin converted in the 51st minute from the center of the box, assisted by Jessie Fleming's cross off a corner. For a moment, the scoreline looked less comfortable. It didn't stay that way.

Seven minutes later, Rodman scored again. Same formula: Luvanga with the assist following a fast break, Rodman finishing from close range, this time high to the center of the goal. That made it 4-1 and ended any real conversation about the result.

Rodman finished as Washington's busiest player on both ends, leading the team with five total shots and 10 defensive interventions. Luvanga factored directly into three of the four goals. Esme Morgan ran the ball efficiently in the midfield, completing 45 accurate passes, the most on the team.

For Portland, Sophia Wilson had five shots and Jessie Fleming recorded 10 defensive interventions, but the Thorns couldn't generate enough to threaten the Spirit's lead after going down three before the break.

Rodman's second goal came off another Luvanga fast break, the same combination that worked in the 35th minute.