Simple math for the Spirit:
• Win + Wave loss = home field thru the final
• Home quarterfinal with any of a win, draw, KC non-win, or Angel City non-win
• Loss + KC win + Angel City win = road quarterfinal
#NWSL FT: San Diego 2, Boston 2
The Wave stay alive in the Shield race heading into Decision Day and prevent Gotham from clinching, but they are 3 points back with a game to play after conceding a second-half equalizer vs. Boston.
Wave need a win + Gotham loss for the Shield.
Adrián González says that he's pleased with how the Spirit defended, particularly in preventing KC's transitions from being dangerous.
Flip side: "We weren't as clean" on the ball, & he feels the Spirit tried to play too much through the middle.
"It's a little bit more about our mistakes."
Anti-trans bigots are coming to NWSL games looking to provoke violence or other incidents that could go viral.
This is the back-up plan: harass and endanger anyone who stands up to them.
NWSL is going to have to contend with this. Kicking the can down the road will put too many fans at risk.
We stand with the Rose City Riveters and our transgender and LGBTQ+ community. We see you; we support you; we protect our own; this is bigger than the pitch. Hate has no place in our sections, especially hateful messages about gender and identity. If you come for one of us, you can expect us all
Head coach René Weiler said tonight's match vs. Cincinnati was "a playoff game. A simulation of a playoff game" for #DCU.
Entering the 75th minute, down 2-0, and large portions of Audi Field are empty.
We stand with the Rose City Riveters and our Transgender and LGBTQ+ community. We see you; We support you; We protect our own; This is bigger than the pitch. Hate has no place in our sections, especially hateful messages about gender and identity. If you come for one, you can expect us all.
Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt joins me to discuss her drag debut, a wheelbarrow of fish, her winding path to soccer stardom & whether or not it’s jinx-y when her teammates talk about wanting to play in the NWSL Championship at their home stadium.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
INBOX: Washington Spirit has signed a new contract with Deborah Abiodun, extending her through 2028 with an option for 2029.
This is, in effect, a one-year extension on her previous contract, which ran through 2027 with an option for 2028.
Beat Gotham and clinched playoffs in one afternoon. A goal from Lucia, a huge performance from the group, and a very Rowdy Audi (thanks @spiritsquadron.bsky.social@roseroomco.bsky.social)! Leading this club with James, Kim, and Michele is a lot of fun. More to do. Let’s go!!
Beat Gotham and clinched playoffs in one afternoon. A goal from Lucia, a huge performance from the group, and a very Rowdy Audi (thanks @spiritsquadron.bsky.social@roseroomco.bsky.social)! Leading this club with James, Kim, and Michele is a lot of fun. More to do. Let’s go!!
I thought yesterday her first touch failed her more than her finishing. That feels a little easier of a fix imo. She was in the right place at the right time over and over but the ball would take an awkward bounce or she'd just have a little too heavy a first touch. Super exciting
We gotta tap the brakes on the Trinity Rodman USWNT discourse, and call out some questionable takes from McCall Zerboni on Attacking Third.
Special thanks to Bridie O’Toole, and @secondball.bsky.social for their analysis!
Lucia Di Guglielmo & Andi Sullivan are up for the presser, as they were after the last home game.
Much better vibes this time!
Di Guglielmo says that the run for the goal is one she likes to make. "I didn't know if [Bethi] wanted to play that ball, but I knew there was that space."
First time beating Gotham since November 2024, first win at Audi Field since August, playoffs clinched, 45 from a healthy Leicy Santos, postgame pics in front of the supporters’ section.
A very “smiling through it all can’t believe my life” afternoon for the Spirit
THE NWSL CAN LET GOTHAM CIRCUMVENT ALL THE ROSTER RULES BUT WE STILL GOING TO COME OUT AND SPANK THAT NJ BOOTAY!!! THATS A WIN AND WE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!
PLAY
THAT
MUSIC!
HT | 0-0
A terrific half for the Spirit. Gotham didn't create a whole lot and they looked dangerous from set pieces and open play. There's the familiar frustration that it hasn't led to a goal yet, but Gotham is also the best team in the league at not conceding. Keep pushing, it'll come.
We’ve seen the message.
This simply isn’t good enough.
We will demand more from this team because right now this isn’t it. We are going to continue to fight for more than this.