Late Bethi Strike Snaps Portland's 13-Match Home Unbeaten Streak in 2-1 Spirit Win

Photo Credit: Jay Tennis

A Streak Ends at Providence Park

Portland's remarkable home form finally met its match on Sunday. The Thorns fell 2-1 to the Washington Spirit at Providence Park, a result that snapped a 13-match home unbeaten streak and came despite a perfect afternoon from the penalty spot by Sophia Wilson. It was a game defined by moments — a penalty, a red card, and a late goal that decided everything.

Game Flow Recap: An Early Lead Undone in the Second Half

Portland struck first when Sophia Wilson converted a penalty in the 18th minute, her fourth spot-kick conversion of the season and a goal that kept her perfect from the penalty spot for her career. The lead held into the second half, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold coming up with a crucial diving save in the 72nd minute to preserve the advantage as Washington pushed for an equalizer.

That equalizer arrived just before the hour mark, though, when Tara Rudd converted a penalty of her own in the 59th minute to level the match. The Spirit then completed the turnaround in the 80th minute, as Mélissa Bethi finished off a Trinity Rodman assist to put Washington in front for good. Portland pushed for a response, but couldn't find the finish that would have salvaged a point on home turf.

Star Performer: Wilson's Perfect Record, Overshadowed by the Result

Sophia Wilson's 18th-minute penalty extended her team-leading tally to 12 goals on the season and kept her perfect from the penalty spot for her career — a remarkable streak that, on this particular afternoon, wasn't enough to secure the result. Mackenzie Arnold also did her part, coming up with a highlight-reel diving save in the 72nd minute to keep the match level before Washington's go-ahead goal.

For Washington, Trinity Rodman's assist on the winning goal continued her strong two-way influence on this match, and Tara Rudd's penalty conversion showed the composure needed to answer Wilson's opener just minutes into the second half.

Turning Point: A Chaotic Final Stretch

The match's late stages were as chaotic as the scoreline suggests. Washington's Andi Sullivan was shown a yellow card in the 90+2nd minute and a second in the 90+7th minute, resulting in a red card in the match's dying moments — but by then, Bethi's 80th-minute goal had already sealed the result. Portland's push for a response came up empty, and the final whistle confirmed the end of a home run that had stretched back 13 matches.

What It Means: A Milestone Streak Comes to an End

Snapping a 13-match home unbeaten streak is never an easy result to process, and this one came with a silver lining in the return of forward Reilyn Turner from injury for her first appearance of the season. Sophia Wilson's continued excellence from the penalty spot remains a foundation Portland can build on, but Washington's ability to answer immediately after conceding — and to find a late winner when it mattered most — was the difference on this particular afternoon. The Thorns will look to start a new run at home as the season moves into its final stretch.