WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Spirit delivered a dominant performance Wednesday night, dismantling CF Monterrey Femenil 4-0 at Audi Field to secure first place in Group B and a guaranteed spot in the Concacaf W Champions Cup Semifinals.
The comprehensive victory showcased the Spirit’s attacking prowess, defensive organization, and championship mentality as they finished group play with a perfect 3-1-0 record. The result sends a clear message: this team is built for a deep run in continental competition.
However, the dominant win was tempered by a significant injury that threatens to derail Washington’s postseason ambitions.
Early Dominance Sets the Tone
Washington wasted no time establishing control. Just six minutes into the match, Croix Bethune opened the scoring with a clinical left-footed finish from the top of the box, capitalizing on a rebound after Paola Manrique had blocked an initial attempt.
The early goal set the tone for what would become a masterclass in attacking soccer. The Spirit’s movement was sharp, their positioning intelligent, and their finishing clinical—a combination that proved too much for Monterrey’s defense to handle throughout the evening.
Trinity Rodman Sidelined with Grade 1 MCL Sprain
The match took a concerning turn in the 37th minute when Trinity Rodman went down with what appeared to be a knee injury. The Spirit’s dynamic winger, who had been instrumental in Washington’s group stage success, was forced to leave the field and did not return.
Post-match scans revealed the diagnosis: a grade 1 MCL sprain—the least severe classification of MCL injuries, but one that carries significant implications for the postseason.
“The results that we got are the best scenario,” Washington Spirit head coach Adrian Gonzalez said Friday. “Obviously, an injury is not always a good situation. It’s not as bad as it could be. She’s starting the rehab now. She has an MCL sprain. It’s not too big, too much, but we need to see how she’s doing today, start the rehab today, and try to support her in this situation.”
While a grade 1 sprain is the least severe of the MCL injury categories, the typical three-week rehabilitation timeline means Rodman will likely miss critical matches ahead. She’s expected to be sidelined for Saturday’s Semifinals matchup against No. 3 Orlando Pride and the three upcoming USWNT friendlies scheduled for late October.
The injury timeline could potentially have her returning around the start of the NWSL quarterfinals on November 7, but Gonzalez emphasized the day-by-day nature of recovery.
“We are going to take this day by day. Every player is completely different,” he added.
The timing proved particularly cruel. Rodman had just received her first USWNT call-up since April on the same day she suffered the injury, marking her return from a previous back issue that had sidelined her for nine NWSL games. Since her return, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist has been in exceptional form, recording seven goals and two assists across all competitions.
Rodman was replaced by Brittany Ratcliffe, who delivered a stellar performance in her place. However, the loss of Rodman—a key attacking weapon and one of the Spirit’s most creative forces—removes a crucial dimension from Washington’s offensive arsenal heading into knockout competition.
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Kouassi Joins Elite Scoring Company
The second half saw the Spirit shift into another gear entirely. In the 54th minute, Rosemonde Kouassi doubled the lead with a composed right-footed strike from the center of the box, showcasing the composure and technical quality that have defined her tournament.
That goal proved significant beyond the scoreline. Kouassi’s fourth goal of the campaign tied her for the tournament lead in the race for the Top Scorer Award, placing her among the competition’s most dangerous attacking threats.
Just three minutes later, Gift Monday extended the Spirit’s advantage to 3-0, finishing from close range on an assist from Kouassi following a corner kick. The combination highlighted Washington’s ability to create and convert chances from set pieces—a critical skill in knockout competition.
Own Goal Seals Dominant Victory
Any remaining doubt about the outcome evaporated in the 67th minute when Valeria del Campo’s own goal made it 4-0. The unfortunate deflection capped a performance in which Washington controlled virtually every aspect of play.
The Spirit’s dominance was reflected in the statistics. Washington completed 2,469 passes—more than any other team in the group stage—while maintaining 63.2% possession. They won 54.7% of duels and recorded 100% of aerial duels, demonstrating complete control across all phases of play.
Tactical Excellence and Team Depth
Gonzalez’s tactical approach proved instrumental in the dominant performance. He prepared the match as a playoff-caliber contest, emphasizing the high stakes and demanding execution from his squad.
“We prepared the game as if it was a playoff game because we know that we need to start playing with that kind of knowing that it’s gonna come soon,” Gonzalez explained. “And I think players have done a great job from the beginning. We had the chance to score a lot of goals and being, I think, very dominant. And yeah, I think we are closing this year, this competition, as best as possible: first position and also with a great result.”
The Spirit’s ability to adapt in real-time showcased their championship-level flexibility. Gonzalez rotated personnel strategically while maintaining tactical cohesion, a balancing act that proved crucial given the NWSL season’s concurrent demands.
“We tried to prepare the game as if it was a final. So we wanted to have the best lineup as possible for the beginning, knowing that in the second half, obviously, we would have many rotations,” Gonzalez said. “But the game plan was the same. And yeah, I think we’ve executed it pretty well.”
Defensive Solidity Complements Attacking Firepower
While the Spirit’s offensive display captured attention, their defensive organization was equally impressive. Monterrey managed just 13 shots compared to Washington’s 15, and the Rayadas never truly threatened Sandy MacIver in the Spirit’s goal.
This balance—elite attacking combined with organized defending—has been the hallmark of Washington’s group stage campaign. The Spirit conceded just one goal across four matches, a defensive record that positions them as genuine contenders for the continental title.
Gonzalez praised his team’s collective performance: “At a collective level, I think very good sensations. The team has shown itself quite solid, very superior, especially with the ball, generating many goal-scoring opportunities, progressing, attacking in different ways and with the capacity to score quite a few goals.”
Group Stage Supremacy
The victory improved Washington’s record to 3-1-0, enough to finish atop Group B on goal difference ahead of Gotham FC. The Spirit’s 15 goals scored—the most in the group—underscored their attacking superiority throughout the preliminary round.
Monterrey, meanwhile, exits the group stage with a 2-0-2 record and third-place finish. While the Rayadas showed moments of quality, they lacked the consistency and clinical finishing required to compete with the tournament’s elite teams.
Brittany Ratcliffe’s Playmaking Excellence
Beyond the goal scorers, Brittany Ratcliffe’s performance deserves special mention. The midfielder led the entire group stage with four assists, orchestrating Washington’s attack with vision, timing, and precision. Her ability to create chances from multiple positions made her invaluable to the Spirit’s success.
Gonzalez highlighted Ratcliffe’s exceptional contribution: “Britt also has done an exceptional job. I think it wasn’t easy because she comes from not playing for a while, and it always costs. When a player is a while without participating, it’s not easy. She always has a 10-out-of-10 attitude, trains like the best, and is always ready to help the team. She helped us a lot today, especially on the outside, making many deep shots because her line was also very high, arriving at the area, being able to score, and generating many dangerous situations. I’m happy with her.”
Ratcliffe’s playmaking prowess, combined with the finishing of Kouassi, Bethune, and Monday, gives Washington a multi-dimensional attacking threat that opposing defenses will struggle to neutralize in the knockout rounds. Her composed performance after entering as Rodman’s replacement demonstrated the quality of the Spirit’s depth, though the team will hope they don’t need to rely on it extensively.
Semifinals Outlook Clouded by Injury Uncertainty
With group play concluded, the Spirit now turns its attention to the Semifinals against Orlando Pride on Saturday. Their first-place finish provided the advantage of facing a lower-seeded opponent, but Washington’s focus must now shift to managing Rodman’s absence.
The combination of attacking flair, defensive organization, and championship experience still positions the Spirit as one of the tournament favorites. If they can replicate Wednesday’s performance—dominant in possession, clinical in front of goal, and organized in defense—a path to the final remains realistic.
However, Rodman’s injury adds a significant layer of uncertainty to Washington’s postseason outlook. The Spirit will need to find creative solutions to maintain their attacking edge without one of their most dynamic playmakers. The good news: a grade 1 MCL sprain is the least severe classification, and Rodman could potentially return for the NWSL quarterfinals if rehabilitation progresses smoothly.
For a Washington team hungry to add continental silverware to their resume, the Semifinals represent the beginning of their true test. But they’ll face that challenge without one of their most important weapons—at least for now.
Match Details:
Washington Spirit 4-0 CF Monterrey Femenil
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Referee: Marianela Araya Cruz
Attendance: 2,085
Goals: Bethune (6′), Kouassi (54′), Monday (57′), Del Campo OG (67′)
Possession: Washington 63.2%, Monterrey 36.8%
Notable: Trinity Rodman departed in the 37th minute with a grade 1 MCL sprain; replaced by Brittany Ratcliffe
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