The Spirit still has the Shield in its sights, as No. 2 Washington trails No. 1 Gotham by just five points going into this Sunday’s clash with No. 5 Portland.
The Spirit broke a four-game winless skid in last weekend’s 1-0 win over No. 14 Bay FC, with Paige Metayer driving home a Trinity Rodman rebound.
The Thorns enter on a five-match unbeaten streak, after stealing a point from the Bats last Friday behind Sophia Wilson’s game-tying strike.
Both clubs will look a little different, as Washington defender Rebeca Bernal completed a transfer to WSL side Manchester United this week while Portland added a ringer to its staff.
The Thorns hired USWNT legend and longtime captain Becky Sauerbrunn as a technical consultant for the rest of the 2026 season.
“As a player, I loved watching film, talking tactics and details, working with a backline, and this opportunity affords me all those things with a lot less running,” the 41-year-old said.
Washington takes on Portland on Sunday at 4 PM ET (CBS).
