After losing last season's NWSL Championship to Gotham FC, Washington Spirit have an opportunity to book their place in the final again when they host Utah Royals FC at Audi Field.
Trinity Rodman starred with a brace as the Spirit beat Portland Thorns 4-1 in the quarter-finals. Tanzania's 21-year-old striker, Clara Luvanga, has emerged as the continent's surprise in-form star in a Spirit side stacked with African talent.
Melissa Bethi (Algeria), Rosemonde Kouassi (Ivory Coast), Monique Ngock (Cameroon) and the injured Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria) are all on their books. Super Falcons striker Gift Monday was only recently traded to the Boston Legacy.
Africa has played a major role in the Spirit's success, and with a goal and two assists against the Thorns, Luvanga is well on course to becoming the latest fan favourite. Algeria midfielder Bethi, who herself is only 20 years old, also got on the scoresheet. Last season, Kouassi played a key role in the semi-final win and picked up an assist for Monday's opener - ironically also against the Thorns.
It is not only the African stars with plenty to prove. Rodman is an MVP finalist alongside the Kansas City Current's Temwa Chawinga, North Carolina Courage's Ashley Sanchez, Denver Summit's Janine Sonis and Thorns' Sophia Wilson.
Rodman has already been an NWSL champion in 2021, but has the chance to win again this season as one of the bona fide stars of the league.
Mexico's Kiana Palacios scored the winner for the Royals in a 1-0 quarter-final win over the San Diego Wave - which they picked up without attacking midfielder Mina Tanaka. The Japan star was out with a hamstring/thigh issue.
Key details
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Central African time (5 p.m. GMT, 12 p.m. EST)
Venue: Audi Field, Washington D.C.
How to watch: For viewers in Africa, the match will be available to watch on ESPN 1 (DSTV channel 218, Azam 120, StarTimes 248, Wananchi / Zuku TV 712, ZAP 31). For viewers in South Africa, it will also be available on Disney+.
Team news
Despite missing the win over the Wave, Tanaka had reportedly only pulled out close to the game after initially feeling fit to play - and could therefore make a comeback for the semi-finals now that she has had more time to prioritise her recovery. Alex Loera and KK Ream (both knee) are out with season-ending injuries.
For the Spirit, Deborah Abiodun (hip), Hal Hershfelt (knee), and Kate Wiesner (ankle) are out for the rest of the season with injury. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury has been on maternity leave since March after announcing her pregnancy in late February. Her son, Carter, was born in July.
Expected lineups
Washington Spirit
LB Gabrielle Carle | CB Esme Morgan | CB Tara Rudd | RB Lucia Di Guglielmo
CM Leicy Santos | CM Andi Sullivan | CM Melissa Bethi
LW Trinity Rodman | ST Clara Luvanga | RW Sofia Cantore
Utah Royals
LB Nuria Rábano | CB Kaleigh Riehl | CB Kate Del Fava | RB Miyabi Moriya
CM Madison Hammond | CM Ana Tejada
LW Cloé Lacasse | AM Mina Tanaka | RW Paige Cronin
ST Kiana Palacios
Stats
The Royals' win over the San Diego Wave was their first win in seven games this season in which Mina Tanaka did not feature.
Clara Luvanga has three goals and three assists in her six appearances for the Washington Spirit.