Spirit clinched a Playoff berth with a dominant win against the Dash

The Washington Spirit went into Sunday afternoon’s match against the Houston Dash at home with one thing on their mind: clinching their spot in the 2025 NWSL playoffs as they rode a 9-game unbeaten streak heading into the match. 

The Spirit did exactly that as they punched their ticket into the postseason in dominating fashion with a 4-0 victory against the Dash in front of 12,715 fans that gathered at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. to witness Washington’s second consecutive trip to the NWSL playoffs, after making it all the way to the finals last season. 

The Spirit became the second team to secure a playoff spot this season, after shield winner Kansas City Current secured their playoff spot last weekend.

Gift Monday celebrates one of her three goals with Trinity Rodman as the Spirit clinch a spot in the Playoffs Sunday afternoon. Photo Credit: NWSL

“We take it week by week, analyzing results and achievements. The team's solidity and competitive spirit are crucial, whether at home or away. We've had chances to win every game, which is tough in this league. “Said Spirit head coach Adrián González “While we can't win every game, the team believes and competes well against any rival. We're very happy, and the players deserved today's win, especially in front of our fans.”

The Game

The Spirit opened up the scoring in the 18th minute, as Trinity Rodman would start the play from her own half, laying the ball off to Gift Monday. Monday would cross the midfield line and played the ball off to Rodman, who was open on the sideline. Rodman would slip the ball back to the Nigerian international inside the box, getting past Houston goalkeeper Abby Smith and shooting the ball from an angle as the ball trickled across the goal line into the back of the net, netting her 6th goal of the season.

“Being well-positioned in the box is my biggest strength, so I need to focus on my strengths instead of trying to do what other people are doing,” Monday said. “I tried to be well-positioned for any pass because I trust my teammates.”

Monday would score her second goal of the game just three minutes later. On a short corner kick, Leicy Santos played the ball to Croix Bethune, who sent a cross towards goal that found Monday, who headed the ball towards goal. Smith was able to stop the first shot; however, Monday was able to get to the rebound from Smith’s save and put the ball into the back of the net for her 2nd goal of the game and 7th goal of the season, making her the team’s leading goal scorer for the season ahead of Ashley Hatch.

“I am pleased with her progress.” Said González “Initially, upon her arrival, she adapted quickly and played significant minutes. However, with Sofia joining the team, competition increased. Consequently, in recent weeks, she has not consistently received the playing time she previously enjoyed. Nevertheless, she demonstrates exceptional humility, and we are actively working with her to refine specific aspects of her game, particularly her offensive positioning and movement within the penalty area, as I believe she is a crucial player, especially in that zone. Her performance today was commendable, and I am very pleased with the outcome.”

Monday would complete her hat-trick in the 36th minute. Bethune tried to nutmeg a Houston defender, but ran into several defenders inside the box, ready for Bethune’s next move. Bethune circled the ball back to Tara McKeown, who started a sequence of passes circling the ball around Houston’s area. The ball would eventually land at the feet of Rodman on the right-hand side, sending a beaming one-time cross into the box, finding Monday inside the box, redirecting the shot towards the back of the net, scoring the second-ever hat-trick in Spirit history, while also scoring the fastest hat-trick in NWSL history.

“It’s just based on hard work and team spirit,” Monday said. “I would want to say a very big thank you to my coach for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to start this game because I think that hat trick had been waiting for me for a very long time.”

For Monday, this hat-trick also had another significance as she dedicated her hat-trick to her home country of Nigeria, which celebrates its Independence Day on October 1st.

"Playing for the Super Falcons is a very big honor for me," said Monday. "I am always more than happy to represent the green, white green. I am so, so glad to give Nigeria this precious gift. I don't know how I ended up like this today, but I am grateful, and I think that today is just special for me."

The Dash would create its first big goalscoring opportunity of the second half when Yazmeen Ryan got a shot from close range, which Aubrey Kingsbury was able to stop. Avery Patterson got to the ensuing rebound, but her shot would go wide of the goal.

Rodman would respond with a goalscoring opportunity of her own, but Smith was able to stop the shot and send the ball out for a corner kick.

In the 80th minute, Narumi Miura would steal the ball from a Houston defender in midfield and charge up the field, laying the ball off to Bethune, who was following the play on the left-hand side. Bethune would send a cross into the box, but would be cleared out by former Spirit defender Paige Nielsen. The clearance would end up back in possession of Bethune, who would play the ball to Miura, who was making a run into the box. Miura would pass the ball to Sofia Cantore, who, with a cheeky back-heel, would get the ball into the back of the net to secure all three points for Washington.

For the Spirit’s defense, the result has brought more confidence to the Spirit’s back line as they have secured their third shutout in four matches. 

“I felt like a game like this was coming because the level in training this week was outstanding,” center back Esme Morgan said. “I definitely felt today that it was going to be a good day and that we’re peaking at the right time.”

With this result, the Spirit remains in 2nd place in the NWSL standings, 40 points. In contrast, Houston stays in 10th place with 26 points, three points behind the final playoff spot held by Racing Louisville.

Washington has a busy week coming up, as they play both Concacaf W Championship and League play this week. It all starts Wednesday night as they travel to Chester, PA, to face Gotham FC in their Group B match for the Concacaf W Championship. They return to Audi Field on Sunday afternoon, where they will face the San Diego Wave.