Gift Monday and Croix Bethune scored goals and the Washington Spirit beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., to advance to the National Women’s Soccer League championship game.

With the win, the Spirit will play in its second consecutive NWSL final next weekend in San Jose, Calif. They will face the winner of Sunday’s semifinal between Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride.

It will be the fourth championship appearance in Spirit history. Last season, the Spirit were defeated 1-0 by the Pride.

The Spirit’s opening goal was sparked by a Thorns corner kick in the 27th minute. The counterattack was created by Rosemounde Kouassi, who sprinted 80 yards before laying the ball off for Monday to tap in from a yard out to make it 1-0.

It was the sixth time this seas

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