The 2024 Washington Spirit season is the team's twelfth season as a professional women's soccer team. The Spirit play in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
2024 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Owner | Y. Michele Kang | ||
General manager | Mark Krikorian | ||
Head coach | Jonatan Giráldez (since June) Adrián González (interim, until June) | ||
Stadium | Audi Field (capacity: 20,000) | ||
League | 2nd | ||
2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup | Group stage | ||
Playoffs | Finals | ||
Top goalscorer | Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr (8) | ||
Highest home attendance | 19,897 (Jun 15 vs. SD) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 8,182 (Mar 31 vs. UTA) | ||
Average home league attendance | 13,934 | ||
Biggest win | 3 goals (4 times) | ||
Biggest defeat | 0–3 (Sep 20 vs. KC) | ||
| |||
All statistics correct as of November 16, 2024. |
Background
editThe Spirit finished the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season in 8th place of 12 teams. The top six teams qualified for the NWSL playoffs, and the Spirit ended one point out of playoff contention. On October 17, 2023, two days following the team's final defeat against North Carolina Courage, the team released head coach Mark Parsons from his duties after one season.[1][2]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
Hirings
editOn January 9, 2024, the Spirit announced the hiring of FC Barcelona Femení manager Jonatan Giráldez as the club's head coach, to arrive in June following the conclusion of the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Champions League, which Barcelona won. Adrián González, formerly manager of RCD Espanyol Femení, served as interim head coach until Giráldez's arrival and remained with the staff as an assistant coach.[3][4]
Summary
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
Stadium and facilities
editThe Spirit continued to play in Audi Field, their full-time home since the team's 2022 season, and trained at the United Performance Center in Leesburg, Virginia, a facility shared with D.C. United, D.C. United's youth academy, and Loudoun United FC.[5][6]
Broadcasting
editIn addition to the league's national and international broadcast agreements, ten Spirit matches of the 2024 season aired on the regional Monumental Sports Network.[7]
Team
editStaff
editGeneral manager President of soccer operations |
Mark Krikorian |
Senior director of soccer administration | Nathan Minion |
Head coach | Jonatan Giráldez |
Assistant coach | Adrián González |
Assistant coach Director of player personnel |
Mike Bristol |
Player development coach | Morinao Imaizumi |
Assistant coach Player development coach |
Mami Yamaguchi |
Vice president of performance, medical, and innovation |
Dawn Scott |
Director of performance and innovation | Kirsty Hicks |
Director of data and analytics | Seungbeum Lee |
Director of medical | Eric Marchek |
Head athletic trainer | Alessandro Ciarla |
Players
editCompetitions
editWin Draw Loss
Regular season
editStandings
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Orlando Pride (S) | 26 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 46 | 20 | +26 | 60 | NWSL Shield, playoffs |
2 | Washington Spirit | 26 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 51 | 28 | +23 | 56 | Playoffs |
3 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 26 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 41 | 20 | +21 | 56 | |
4 | Kansas City Current | 26 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 57 | 31 | +26 | 55 | |
5 | North Carolina Courage | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 34 | 28 | +6 | 39 |
Results summary
editOverall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
26 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 51 | 28 | +23 | 56 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 14 | +17 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 14 | +6 |
Last updated: November 2, 2024.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Matches
editMarch 17, 2024 1 | Seattle Reign FC | 1–0 | Washington Spirit | Seattle, Washington |
3:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 8,557 Referee: Natalie Simon |
March 23, 2024 2 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Bay FC | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 11,734 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
March 31, 2024 3 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Utah Royals | Washington, D.C. |
1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 8,182 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
April 12, 2024 4 | Houston Dash | 1–3 | Washington Spirit | Houston, Texas |
7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,767 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
April 20, 2024 5 | Washington Spirit | 2–0 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | Washington, D.C. |
1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 15,004 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
April 26, 2024 6 | Washington Spirit | 2–3 | Orlando Pride | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 11,636 Referee: Rebeca Pagan |
May 1, 2024 7 | Chicago Red Stars | 2–4 | Washington Spirit | Bridgeview, Illinois |
7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium Attendance: 2,999 Referee: Alex Billeter |
May 4, 2024 8 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–1 | Washington Spirit | Portland, Oregon |
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: Providence Park Attendance: 17,039 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
May 10, 2024 9 | Racing Louisville FC | 1–2 | Washington Spirit | Louisville, Kentucky |
8:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 6,222 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
May 18, 2024 10 | Washington Spirit | 4–2 | Angel City FC | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 13,342 Referee: Anya Voigt |
May 24, 2024 11 | Washington Spirit | 3–2 | Seattle Reign FC | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 11,551 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
June 8, 2024 12 | Utah Royals | 0–1 | Washington Spirit | Sandy, Utah |
5:30 p.m. MDT (UTC-6) |
|
Report | Stadium: America First Field Attendance: 8,486 Referee: Laura Rodriguez |
June 15, 2024 13 | Washington Spirit | 1–1 | San Diego Wave FC | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 19,897 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
June 23, 2024 14 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 0–2 | Washington Spirit | Harrison, New Jersey |
6:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 8,396 Referee: Jeremy Scheer |
June 29, 2024 15 | Washington Spirit | 0–1 | North Carolina Courage | Washington, D.C. |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) |
|
Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 15,717 Referee: Rebeca Pagan |
July 6, 2024 16 | Bay FC | 0–3 | Washington Spirit | San Jose, California |
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: PayPal Park Attendance: 11,384 Referee: Matthew Corrigan | ||
Note: First match led by head coach Jonatan Giráldez.[12] |
August 25, 2024 17 | Washington Spirit | 4–1 | Kansas City Current | Washington, D.C. |
12:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 17,130 Referee: Brad Jensen |
September 1, 2024 18 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–1 | Washington Spirit | San Diego, California |
5:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 23,541 Referee: Anya Voigt |
September 7, 2024 19 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Portland Thorns FC | Washington, D.C. |
12:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 14,306 Referee: Greg Dopka |
September 15, 2024 20 | Washington Spirit | 3–0 | Houston Dash | Washington, D.C. |
1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 11,792 Referee: Mathew Corrigan |
September 20, 2024 21 | Kansas City Current | 3–0 | Washington Spirit | Kansas City, Missouri |
7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: CPKC Stadium Attendance: 11,500 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
September 27, 2024 22 | Angel City FC | 1–2 | Washington Spirit | Los Angeles, California |
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report | Stadium: BMO Stadium Attendance: 19,257 Referee: Alyssa Nichols |
October 6, 2024 23 | Orlando Pride | 2–0 | Washington Spirit | Orlando, Florida |
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium Attendance: 7,729 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
October 13, 2024 24 | Washington Spirit | 4–1 | Racing Louisville FC | Washington, D.C. |
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 13,781 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
October 20, 2024 25 | Washington Spirit | 2–0 | Chicago Red Stars | Washington, D.C. |
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 17,065 Referee: Adam Kilpatrick |
November 2, 2024 26 | North Carolina Courage | 0–1 | Washington Spirit | Cary, North Carolina |
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 10,026 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
Results by matchday
editA = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Playoffs
editThe Spirit finished the regular season in 2nd place and qualified for the NWSL playoffs as the second-seeded of eight teams.
Matches
editNovember 10, 2024 Quarterfinals | Washington Spirit | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Bay FC | Washington, District of Columbia |
12:30 p.m. EST (UTC−5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 19,215 Referee: Katja Koroleva |
November 16, 2024 Semifinals | Washington Spirit | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–0 p) | NJ/NY Gotham FC | Washington, District of Columbia |
12:00 p.m. EST (UTC−5) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 19,365 Referee: Matthew Thompson | ||
Penalties | ||||
November 23, 2024 Championship | Orlando Pride | v | Washington Spirit | Kansas City, Missouri |
8:00 p.m. EST (UTC−5) | Report | Stadium: CPKC Stadium |
NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
editThe Spirit finished last in Group D of the Summer Cup and failed to advance to the tournament knockout stage.
Group stage standings
edit
Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | NYJ | CHI | WAS | GUA | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 8 | Advances to knockout stage | — | 0–0 | 1–0 | 3–0 | |
2 | Chicago Red Stars | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0–0 | — | 3–2 | 0–1 | ||
3 | Washington Spirit | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | 0–1 | 2–3 | — | 2–1 | ||
4 | Guadalajara | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 3 | 0–3 | 1–0 | 1–2 | — |
Group stage matches
editJuly 21, 2024 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Guadalajara | Chester, United States |
4:30 p.m. | Report |
|
Stadium: Subaru Park Attendance: 1,101 |
July 28, 2024 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 1–0 | Washington Spirit | Chester, United States |
6:00 p.m. | Report | Stadium: Subaru Park Attendance: 3,523 Referee: Sergii Demianchuk |
July 31, 2024 | Washington Spirit | 2–3 | Chicago Red Stars | Richmond, United States |
7:30 p.m. | Report | Stadium: City Stadium Referee: Melinda Homa |
Statistics
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
Awards
edit- As of November 19, 2024
NWSL annual awards
edit- 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year: Croix Bethune[13]
- 2024 NWSL Best XI: Casey Krueger, Croix Bethune, Trinity Rodman[14]
- 2024 NWSL Second XI: Tara McKeown, Hal Hershfelt[14]
NWSL monthly awards
editMonth | Pos. | Nat. | Player | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
March/ April |
DF | USA | Casey Krueger | [15] |
MF | USA | Croix Bethune | ||
May | DF | USA | Croix Bethune (2) | [16] |
FW | FRA | Ouleymata Sarr | ||
June | DF | USA | Casey Krueger (2) | [17] |
MF | USA | Croix Bethune (3) | ||
September | FW | USA | Trinity Rodman | [18] |
October/ November |
FW | USA | Makenna Morris | [19] |
Rookie of the Month
editMonth | Pos. | Rookie of the Month | Statline | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
March/April | MF |
USA | Croix Bethune | Led rookies with 3 goals, 2 assists in 5 matches | [20] |
May | 1 goal, 7 assists in 5 matches; set rookie record for assists in a season; first rookie to score 3 assists in a match | [21] | |||
June | 1 goal, 1 assist; first rookie to win award in three consecutive months | [22] | |||
August | 1 assist, tying all-time record for assists in a season; first rookie to win award four times in one season | [23] | |||
October/November | FW |
USA | Makenna Morris | 3 goals, 1 assist; brace vs. LOU was only multi-goal match for a rookie during the season | [24] |
NWSL weekly awards
editWeekly awards
editWeek | Winner | Ref. |
---|---|---|
12 | Croix Bethune | [25] |
13 | Trinity Rodman | [26] |
19 | Trinity Rodman (2) | [27] |
Week | Winner | Ref. |
---|---|---|
3 | Aubrey Kingsbury | [28] |
21 | Aubrey Kingsbury (2) | [29] |
Transactions
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024) |
References
edit- ^ Diamond, Drew (October 18, 2023). "Washington Spirit sack Mark Parsons after second stint in charge". Her Football Hub. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "Head Coach Mark Parsons Will Not Return to Washington Spirit for 2024 Season" (Press release). Washington Spirit. October 17, 2023. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Floyd, Thomas (June 28, 2024). "Jonatan Giráldez built his life around soccer. Now he's a coaching prodigy". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Names FC Barcelona Femení's Jonatan Giráldez Costas New Head Coach" (Press release). Washington Spirit. January 9, 2024. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Margaret (March 17, 2024). "The Washington Spirit are ready to move forward". The Equalizer. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit to play 2020 games at Audi Field, Segra Field and the Maryland SoccerPlex" (Press release). Washington Spirit. November 12, 2019. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Monumental Sports Network & Washington Spirit Announce Regional Broadcast Partnership for 2024 Season". March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Front Office". Washington Spirit. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ "Sporting Staff". Washington Spirit. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
- ^ "Roster – Washington Spirit". Washington Spirit. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Announces 24-Player Roster Ahead of Season Kickoff". Washington Spirit. March 13, 2024.
- ^ Schreiber, Julie (July 9, 2024). "Rookies continue to define Spirit season". The Equalizer. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named 2024 NWSL Rookie Of The Year, Presented By Ally Financial" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Announces March/April Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Announces May Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 7, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Announces June Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Announces September Best XI of the Month, presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "NWSL Announces October and November Best XI of the Month, presented by Amazon Prime" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named March/April Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named May Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named June's NWSL Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). Washington Spirit. July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named August Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ "Washington Spirit Forward Makenna Morris Named October and November Rookie of the Month, presented by Ally" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 18, 2024). "WHAT CAN'T SHE DO, SHE'S CROIX BETHUNE ‼️" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (June 25, 2024). "Trinity Rodman's rocket of a finish wins her Goal of the Week!!! 🫡" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (September 18, 2024). "Trin Spin ➡️ Upper 90 finish 🤯" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 2, 2024). "Not just 1 but TWO big saves from Aubrey Kingsbury" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (October 1, 2024). "DENIED BY KINGSBURY ❌" (Tweet) – via Twitter.