Leicy Santos scores late to secure Spirit"s 2-1 victory over Thorns

In a thrilling match on Saturday, Leicy Santos scored a last-minute goal to secure a 2-1 victory for the Washington Spirit over the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League. The game saw Hina Sugita open the scoring for Portland in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a cutback pass from Alexa Spaanstra. However, the Spirit responded with an equalizer from Trinity Rodman in the 60th minute, who showcased her skill by dribbling down the left side and finishing into the corner. Rodman, who had recently subbed in for an injured teammate, celebrated her goal with a dunk alongside new Spirit owner Magic Johnson, highlighting the excitement surrounding the club. This match marked a significant moment for Rodman, as she now has seven goals and five assists this season, contributing greatly to the Spirit's success. Despite the loss, the Thorns remain in playoff contention, although they have struggled recently, suffering three consecutive defeats since returning from the Olympic break. The Spirit's goalkeeper, Aubrey Kingsbury, played a crucial role in the victory, making seven saves to keep the Thorns at bay. With this win, the Spirit improved their record to 13-4-2, showcasing their strong performance in the league. The match not only highlighted individual talents like Santos and Rodman but also underscored the competitive nature of the NWSL as teams vie for playoff positions.