2016 Washington Spirit season

Washington Spirit
2016 season
General Manager Chris Hummer
Head Coach Jim Gabarra
Stadium Maryland SoccerPlex
NWSL 2nd (finals loss)
Top goalscorer League: Estefania Banini (5)
All: Estefania Banini (5)
Highest home attendance 5,750
(June 18 vs. Orlando Pride)[1]
Lowest home attendance 2,930
(July 31 vs. Sky Blue FC)[m 1]
Average home league attendance 3,782[2]
Home colors
Away colors

The 2016 season was Washington Spirit's fourth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

Review

Building off the successes of the previous two playoff appearances the Spirit hired former Sky Blue FC manager, Jim Gabarra to replace Mark Parsons.[3]

The Spirit would see their most successful season to date in 2016, being league leaders in the standings throughout most of the season. Only in the final week would the Spirit's loss at Chicago Red Stars finalize them as league runners-up.

Returning to the playoffs, the Spirit earned their first post-season victory in a revenge effort against Chicago Red Stars, who just a week earlier denied them the league title. The match was sent into extra time where Francisca Ordega scored the game-winner in the 111th minute. Advancing to the final for the first time in club history, the Spirit faced Western New York Flash in Houston, Texas.

The 2016 NSWL Final played to a 1–1 draw in regulation, and finished 2–2 at the end of extra time; both Spirit goals scored by Crystal Dunn. Going into penalties, Western New won 3–2 with only Christine Nairn and Katie Stengel slotting their penalties.[4]

National Anthem Protest

The week prior to a match with the Spirit, Seattle Reign FC and U.S. women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem in a game on September 5, 2016, explaining that her decision was a "nod to Kaepernick and everything that he's standing for right now".[5] Anticipating Rapinoe's protest, Spirit owner Bill Lynch, moved the national anthem's performance ahead of the Spirit-Reign match without warning or notice to occur before the players' appearances on the pitch. Jeff Plush, the league's commissioner, was present at the game and told reporters that he was unaware of Lynch's plans and disagreed with the act of moving the anthem's performance.[6] The Spirit's players issued a joint statement also disagreeing with Lynch's decision to move the anthem without first consulting the team's players or coaches.[7]

Club

Roster

The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Canada GK Stephanie Labbé (FP)
3 United States DF Caprice Dydasco
4 United States DF Megan Oyster
5 United States DF Whitney Church
6 Canada DF Shelina Zadorsky (FP)
7 United States MF Christine Nairn
8 Canada MF Diana Matheson (FP)
10 Argentina MF Estefania Banini
11 United States DF Ali Krieger (captain) (FP)
12 United States FW Katie Stengel
No. Position Player
14 Nigeria FW Francisca Ordega
15 United States MF Joanna Lohman
17 United States FW Cali Farquharson
18 United States GK Kelsey Wys
19 United States FW Crystal Dunn (FP)
20 United States FW Cheyna Williams
22 United States DF Alyssa Kleiner
23 United States MF Tori Huster
24 United States DF Estelle Johnson
57 Spain FW Laura del Rio
  • (FP) = Federation player

Team management

Owner Bill Lynch
General Manager Jim Gabarra
Head Coach Jim Gabarra

Source:[8]

Competitions

Preseason

On January 26, the Washington Spirit announced its preseason schedule.[9]

Regular season

Regular season standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 20 12 5 3 35 19 +16 41 NWSL Shield
2 Washington Spirit 20 12 3 5 30 21 +9 39 NWSL Playoffs
3 Chicago Red Stars 20 9 6 5 24 20 +4 33
4 Western New York Flash (C) 20 9 5 6 40 26 +14 32
5 Seattle Reign FC 20 8 6 6 29 21 +8 30
6 FC Kansas City 20 7 5 8 18 20 −2 26
7 Sky Blue FC 20 7 5 8 24 30 −6 26
8 Houston Dash 20 6 4 10 29 29 0 22
9 Orlando Pride 20 6 1 13 20 30 −10 19
10 Boston Breakers 20 3 2 15 14 47 −33 11
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champion.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
20 12 3 5 30 21  +9 39 7 2 1 15 5  +10 5 1 4 15 16  −1

Last updated: September 11, 2016.
Source: Match reports

Round1234567891011121314151617181920
GroundHAAHHAAHHHHAAHAAHHAA
ResultWWWDWLDWLWWWLWWWWWLL
Position[n 1]32111112333222111112

Updated to match(es) played on September 24, 2016. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

NWSL Playoffs

Squad statistics

Source: NWSL

Squad statistics are of regular season only

NPosPlayerGPGSMinGAPKShotSOGSOG%CroCKOffFoulFSYCRC
10FEstefania Banini139888510231252%30111700
5DFWhitney Church11761000000—1003200
19DFCrystal Dunn13121142250371438%201382600
3DFCaprice Dydasco121210800207343%4018610
17DFCali Farquharson16856100010220%0045300
23DFTori Huster1919166511013431%000141500
27DFLine Jensen3214100000—0000000
24DFEstelle Johnson11119900007457%0003100
22DFAlyssa Kleiner171211151105240%20110810
11DFAli Krieger151412671006233%3615520
1GKStephanie Labbe8872000000—0000000
15MFJoanna Lohman20171535410301447%101271510
8MFDiana Matheson12980040112867%02523910
7MFChristine Nairn20181619331371335%985272110
14FWFrancisca Ordega137629210181267%008101310
4DFMegan Oyster15151340000300%00012620
2FWKatie Stengel1910928410201050%1055400
20FWCheyna Williams17877930020945%00910910
18GKKelsey Wys1212108000000—0000100
6DFShelina Zadorsky1110911000100%1008420
Team total20—198003016224910944%2711648139165130
NPosGoal keeperGPGSMinGAGA/GPKAPKFShotSOGSavSav%YCRC
1GKStephanie Labbe8872070.880171302480%00
18GKKelsey Wys12121080141.1722163756181%00
Team total20—1800211.05232341058581%00

Transfers

In

No. Pos. Player Transferred From Fee/Notes Date Source
12 FW United States Katie Stengel Germany FC Bayern Munich Signed December 30, 2015 [10]
20 FW United States Cheyna Williams United States Florida State 2016 NWSL College Draft - 1st Round January 19, 2016 [11]
17 FW United States Cali Farquharson United States Arizona State 2016 NWSL College Draft - 2nd Round January 19, 2016 [11]
1 GK Canada Stephanie Labbé Sweden KIF Örebro DFF NWSL Player Allocation and trade for DaCosta February 2, 2016 [12]
6 DF Canada Shelina Zadorsky Sweden Vittsjö GIK NWSL Player Allocation February 2, 2016 [12]
22 DF United States Alyssa Kleiner United States Portland Thorns Trade for Reynolds February 2, 2016 [13]
14 DF Denmark Line Jensen Denmark Fortuna Hjørring Signed July 13, 2016 [14]

Out

No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Date Source
17 MF Mexico Verónica Pérez Australia Canberra United September 17, 2016 [15]
12 DF Nigeria Josephine Chukwunonye Sweden Vittsjö GIK Waived December 22, 2015 [16]
25 FW Nigeria Ngozi Okobi Sweden Vittsjö GIK Waived January 6, 2016 [17]
2 DF United States Katherine Reynolds United States Portland Thorns FC Trade for Kleiner February 2, 2016 [13]
16 FW United States Tiffany Weimer United States FC Kansas City Waived March 31, 2016 [18]
22 DF Mexico Arianna Romero United States Seattle Reign NWSL Distribution Draft March 31, 2016 [19]
20 FW Australia Hayley Raso United States Portland Thorns FC Waived April 11, 2016 [20]
22 MF United States Amanda DaCosta United States Chicago Red Stars Trade for draft pick and Labbé April 16, 2016 [21]
28 DF United States Jennifer Skogerboe Czech Republic FC Slovácko [22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Andy Lohman. "Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride Came Together for More than Soccer". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  2. ↑ 2016 NWSL Statistics (PDF). National Women's Soccer League. September 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ Steven Goff (October 14, 2015). "Soccer Insider Jim Gabarra named coach, general manager of Washington Spirit". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ↑ Alexandra Grant (October 18, 2016). "Washington Spirit 2016 NWSL season review". Vavel. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  5. ↑ CNN, Euan McKirdy. "Megan Rapinoe takes knee in solidarity with Kaepernick". CNN. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ Steven Goff (September 7, 2016). "Megan Rapinoe doesn't get chance to kneel for national anthem. It was played with teams in locker room". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  7. ↑ Steven Goff (September 9, 2016). "Washington Spirit players unhappy with owner's anthem move". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Washington Spirit". washingtonspirit.com.
  9. ↑ "SPIRIT ANNOUNCE 2016 PRESEASON SCHEDULE; Washington to play UVA, PSU, UNC, and Duke". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Spirit Sign Ex-Bayern Munich Forward Katie Stengel". The Equalizer. December 30, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  11. 1 2 "2016 NWSL Draft Results: Sonnett goes No. 1". The Equalizer. January 15, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Washington Spirit Signs Danish International Line Sigvardsen Jensen". Canada Soccer.com. February 2, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Spirit Acquires Defender Alyssa Kleiner". Washington Spirit. February 2, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Washington Spirit Signs Danish International Line Sigvardsen Jensen". Washington Spirit. July 13, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  15. ↑ Lee Gaskin (September 17, 2015). "W-League: Canberra United signs Mexican women's national team midfielder Veronica Perez". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Spirit Waives Defender Josephine Chukwunonye". Washington Spirit. December 22, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Spirit Waives Forward Ngozi Sonia Okobi". Washington Spirit. January 6, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Spirit Acquires Defender Alyssa Kleiner". Black and Red United. March 31, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Reign FC acquires rights to Arianna Romero and Veronica Perez in NWSL Distribution Draft". TheBold.net. March 31, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Spirit Waives Forward Hayley Raso". Washington Spirit. April 11, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Red Stars Acquire Amanda Da Costa and 2017 Draft Pick". Chicago Red Stars. April 16, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Red Stars Acquire Amanda Da Costa and 2017 Draft Pick". Portland Timbers. July 1, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
Match reports (preseason)
  1. ↑ "Spirit Begins Preseason with 3-0 Win over UVA". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Spirit Wins Second Consecutive Preseason Game over Penn State 2-0". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
Match reports (regular season)
  1. 1 2 "SPIRIT DEFEATS SKY BLUE FC, 3-1, TO REMAIN TIED AT TOP OF THE TABLE". chicagorestars.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Washington Spirit Opens Season with 1-0 Win Over Boston Breakers". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  3. ↑ "SPIRIT DEFEATS SKY BLUE FC, 2-1". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Spirit Remains Undefeated After 3-0 Win Over Western New York Flash". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Match Recap: Flash Fall 3-0, Despite Strong ShowingMatch Recap: Flash Fall 3-0, Despite Strong Showing". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Spirit Remains Undefeated Following Scoreless Draw With The Thorns". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Washington Spirit Falls to Portland Thorns On the Road". washingtongspirit.com. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "NWSL MATCH RECAP | Portland Thorns FC 4, Washington Spirit 1". Thorns FC. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Spirit Settles for 1-1 Draw on the Road Against Boston Breakers". washingtonspirir.com. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Breakers come back to tie the Washington Spirit". bostonbreakers.com. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ "EARLY SURGE PUSHES SPIRIT PAST PRIDE, 2-0". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Washington Spirit Falls to Regional Rivals Sky Blue FC 2-1". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Spirit Claims 2-0 Win at Home Against FC Kansas City". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Chicago Drops 2-0 Decision Away to Washington". chicagorestars.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Washington Spirit defeats Chicago Red Stars 2-0". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  16. ↑ "WASHINGTON EARNS 3-2 WIN OVER KANSAS CITY". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Banini Brace Lifts Spirit Over FC Kansas City 3-2". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  18. ↑ "SKY BLUE FC SHUT OUT SPIRT, 1-0, AT HOME". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Spirit Falls to Sky Blue FC 1-0 on the Road". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Spirit Defeats Sky Blue 3-1 to Remain Tied at the Top of the NWSL Table". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  21. ↑ "SPIRIT DEFEAT DASH, 2-1, TO CLAIM TOP SPOT IN THE STANDINGS". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  22. ↑ "SPIRIT RETAINS FIRST PLACE AFTER 2-1 WIN OVER PRIDE". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  23. ↑ "SPIRIT AND FLASH BATTLE TO A 1-1 DRAW". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  24. ↑ "REIGN FC DEFEATS SPIRIT, 2-0, AT MEMORIAL STADIUM". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  25. ↑ "DASH BEAT BREAKERS, 4-1, TO MATCH CLUB WINS RECORD". nwslsoccer.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  26. ↑ "CHICAGO DEFEATS WASHINGTON, 3-1". nwslsoccer.com. NWSL. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  27. ↑ "SPIRIT DEFEAT RED STARS 2-1 IN EXTRA TIME — Washington advances to the 2016 NWSL Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston". September 30, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
Notes
  1. ↑ Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day
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