Updated

The Washington Spirit beat the Utah Royals 2-1 in the NWSL semifinal on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and will host the championship final on Nov. 21 against Gotham FC or the Kansas City Current. Forward Trinity Rodman, who said she is healthier and happier than in the past two seasons, provided the tying assist, and the team is the first to reach a third straight championship match. ESPN reported that the Spirit lost the past two finals and that Rodman said the team has more fight and passion than last year. The Spirit conceded the fastest goal in NWSL playoff history, a Cloé Lacasse Olimpico less than two minutes in. Sofia Cantore equalized on a backheel finish from Rodman's cross, and Clara Luvanga scored the winner 11 minutes after halftime. Coach Adrián González said the team's experience of losing two finals will help, and the Spirit are also healthier despite a recent season-ending injury to midfielder Hal Hershfelt. The semifinal was played with football lines painted over soccer lines because of a scheduling conflict with an NCAA Division III football game, a problem Utah captain Paige Cronin criticized. The other semifinal was moved to a 5,000-seat stadium because of poor pitch quality at Gotham FC's usual home.