The Spirit (7-6-9) entered the final day of the regular season in fifth place. A win over North Carolina (9-7-6) would have secured a playoff spot, which go to the top six teams, as well as home-field advantage in the first round.
But Rodman’s frustration-fueled tackle of Courage captain Denise O’Sullivan proved particularly painful. Moments after the 21-year-old was sent off, North Carolina capitalized with the game’s only goal: Tyler Lussi buried a cross from Manaka Matsukubo in the 25th minute. A video review upheld the score, even though replays suggested Matsukubo was offside.
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Rodman’s ejection was just one of many ways the Spirit played shorthanded Sunday.