Expansion team Bay FC (11-14-1) made a late surge and qualified for the playoffs in the last match of the regular season. The Spirit will host either the Portland Thorns or Gotham FC in an NWSL semifinal match next weekend.

The Bay FC defense had played so well for an hour and a half at Washington Spirit, but with a one-goal lead and the season on the line late in Sunday’s NWSL first-round playoff game, two

Trinity Rodman forced an own goal in extra time to help the Washington Spirit come from behind and earn a 2-1 win over Bay FC in the opening round of the National Women's Soccer League playoffs on Sunday.

Superstar midfielders Croix Bethune and Andi Sullivan are both serving lengthy spells on the sidelines with knee injuries, while forward Rosemonde Kouassi will serve a suspension in Sunday's quarterfinal. Head coach Jonatan Giraldez also ruled out forward Ouleymata Sarr from playing any role due to an injury.

The soccer gods did their best but ultimately that 2-seed kept with the pattern all weekend in the NWSL playoffs: the better team won. Washington bested Bay FC 2-1 in extra time,