2017 Washington Spirit season

Washington Spirit
2017 season
General Manager Chris Hummer
Head Coach Jim Gabarra
Stadium Maryland SoccerPlex
NWSL 10th
Top goalscorer Mallory Pugh (6)
Highest home attendance 5,200
(July 8 vs. Orlando)
Lowest home attendance 2,365
(Aug 30 vs. North Carolina)
Average home league attendance 3,491
Home colors
Away colors
Third colors

The 2017 season is Washington Spirit's fifth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

Review

In the aftermath of finishing 2016 runners-up, the Spirit saw a series of key departures including captain Ali Krieger (traded to Orlando Pride), Christine Nairn and Diana Matheson (both traded to Seattle Reign), and Crystal Dunn leaving for Chelsea, while retaining her contracting rights. In addition to the departures, key injuries to Joanna Lohman, Francisca Ordega, and goalkeeper Kelsey Wys limited the Spirit's playing options.

Unable to adequately replace these players, the Spirit struggled to compete throughout the 2017 season ultimately finishing last (10th) for the first time since the inaugural season.[1] However, building for the future, Gabarra was able to recruit U.S. national team prospect, Mallory Pugh midseason.[2] Pugh would go on to lead the team in scoring, registering 6 goals in 16 games.[3]

Club

Roster

The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.[4]

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)
2 United States FW Arielle Ship
3 United States DF Caprice Dydasco
4 Canada DF Shelina Zadorsky (FP)
5 United States DF Whitney Church
6 United States DF Kassey Kallman
7 Denmark MF Line Sigvardsen Jensen
8 Canada FW Lindsay Agnew
9 United States MF Havana Solaun
10 Argentina FW Estefanía Banini
11 United States FW Mallory Pugh (FP)
12 United States MF Morgan Proffitt
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
20 United States FW Cheyna Williams
21 United States GK DiDi Haracic
22 United States DF Alyssa Kleiner
23 United States MF Tori Huster
24 United States DF Estelle Johnson
27 Chile FW Yanara Aedo
29 United States MF Megan Dougherty Howard
  • (FP) = Federation player

Team management

Owner Bill Lynch
General Manager Jim Gabarra
Head Coach Jim Gabarra

Source:[4]

Competitions

Preseason

On February 2, the Washington Spirit announced its preseason schedule.[5]

Regular season

Regular season standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 North Carolina Courage 24 16 1 7 38 22 +16 49 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC (C) 24 14 5 5 37 20 +17 47 NWSL Playoffs
3 Orlando Pride 24 11 7 6 45 31 +14 40
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 6 7 33 30 +3 39
5 Seattle Reign FC 24 9 7 8 43 37 +6 34
6 Sky Blue FC 24 10 3 11 42 51 −9 33
7 FC Kansas City 24 8 7 9 29 31 −2 31
8 Houston Dash 24 7 3 14 23 39 −16 24
9 Boston Breakers 24 4 7 13 24 35 −11 19
10 Washington Spirit 24 5 4 15 30 48 −18 19
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champion.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
24 5 4 15 30 48  −18 19 3 2 7 16 21  −5 2 2 8 14 27  −13

Last updated: October 1, 2017.
Source: Match reports

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
GroundHAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHHAAHH
ResultLDLWLLLWDWLDLLWLDLLLLWLL
Position[n 1]789710101098810101010910101010101091010

Updated to match(es) played on October 1, 2017. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Postseason playoff

The Spirit struggled to gain any momentum during the 2017 season and were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention after a home loss to the Chicago Red Stars on August 26 (Week 19).[6]

Squad statistics

Squad statistics are of regular season only

Appearances and goals

As of October 1, 2017[7]
No. Pos Nat Player TotalNWSL
AppsGoalsAppsGoals
Defenders:
3 DF United States Caprice Dydasco 160160
4 DF Canada Shelina Zadorsky 210210
5 DF United States Whitney Church 221221
6 DF United States Kassey Kallman 170170
12 DF United States Morgan Proffitt 3030
22 DF United States Alyssa Kleiner 180180
Midfielders:
9 MF United States Havana Solaun 245245
10 MF Argentina Estefania Banini 9191
15 MF United States Joanna Lohman 1010
16 MF United States Cameron Castleberry 2020
19 MF United States Kristie Mewis 8282
23 MF United States Tori Huster 200200
24 MF United States Estelle Johnson 202202
29 MF United States Megan Dougherty Howard 231231
Forwards:
2 FW United States Arielle Ship 141141
7 FW Denmark Line Jensen 9191
8 FW Canada Lindsay Agnew 8080
11 FW United States Mallory Pugh 166166
12 FW United States Katie Stengel 5050
13 FW United States Crystal Thomas 1010
14 FW Nigeria Francisca Ordega 144144
17 FW United States Cali Farquharson 100100
20 FW United States Cheyna Williams 215215
27 FW Chile Yanara Aedo 0000

Italics indicates player left team midway through season.

Goalkeeper Stats

Last updated: October 1 2017

No. Nat Player National Women's Soccer League
GP GS MIN W L D GA GAA CS
1 CanadaStephanie Labbe 171715304103301.762
18 United StatesKelsey Wys 00000000.000
21 United StatesDiDi Haracic 77630151182.570

Transfers

In

Date Player Number Position Previous Club Fee/Notes
November 17, 2016United States Kristie Mewis19MFUnited States Boston BreakersTrade[8]
November 17, 2016United States Kassey Kallman6DFUnited States Boston BreakersTrade[8]
December 21, 2016United States Havana Solaun9MFUnited States Seattle Reign FCTrade for Rights, Signed[9][10]
February 10, 2017United States DiDi Haracic21GKUnited States Washington Spirit ReservesSigned[11]
March 10, 2017Canada Lindsay Agnew8FWUnited States Ohio State2017 Draft Pick[12]
March 10, 2017United States Megan Dougherty Howard29MFUnited States Florida2017 Draft Pick[12]
April 5, 2017United States Arielle Ship2FWUnited States California2017 Draft Pick[13]
April 5, 2017United States Cameron Castleberry16MFUnited States North Carolina2017 Draft Pick[13]
April 27, 2017United States Crystal Thomas13FWUnited States Georgetown UniversitySigned[14]
May 13, 2017United States Mallory Pugh11FWUnited States UCLASigned via Distribution Ranking Order[15]
June 19, 2017Argentina Estefanía Banini10FWSpain Valencia Féminas CFSigned pending international transfer certificate[16]
June 27, 2017Chile Yanara Aedo27FWSpain Valencia Féminas CFSigned pending international transfer certificate[17]
August 23, 2017United States Morgan Proffitt12MFUnited States Chicago Red StarsSigned after waived[18]

Out

Date Player Number Position New Club Fee/Notes
October 18, 2016Argentina Estefanía Banini10MFSpain Valencia Féminas CFFree[19]
October 19, 2016Spain Laura del Rio57FWWaived[20]
November 2, 2016United States Ali Krieger11DFUnited States Orlando PrideTrade[21]
November 17, 2016United States Megan Oyster4DFUnited States Boston BreakersTrade[8]
April 22, 2016United States Christine Nairn7MFUnited States Seattle Reign FCTrade[9]
January 2, 2017United States Crystal Dunn19FWEngland Chelsea L.F.C.Free[22]
January 23, 2017Canada Diana Matheson8MFUnited States Seattle Reign FCTrade[23]
May 19, 2017United States Crystal Thomas13FWWaived[24]
June 28, 2017United States Katie Stengel12FWUnited States Boston BreakersWaived[25]
June 28, 2017United States Cameron Castleberry16MFWaived[25]
August 21, 2017United States Kristie Mewis19FWUnited States Chicago Red StarsTrade for 2018 First Round Draft Pick[26]

Honors

See also

References

  1. ↑ Emily Kesel (October 24, 2017). "2017 NWSL season review: Washington Spirit". Vavel. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Washington Spirit acquires U.S. Women's National Team forward Mallory Pugh". washingtonspirit.com. May 13, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ Emily Kesel (October 24, 2017). "2017 NWSL season review: Washington Spirit". vavel.com. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Washington Spirit". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Washington Spirit Preseason Schedule Features First Ever Game in Virginia". nwslsoccer.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Washington Spirit's NWSL playoff hopes extinguished after 2-1 loss to Chicago Red Stars". Black and Red United. August 27, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  7. ↑ "2017 NWSL Season Stats". soccerway.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 "Washington Spirit Acquires Kristie Mewis, Kassey Kallman, and No. 1 Spot in the Distribution Ranking Order from Boston Breakers". washingtonspirit.com. November 17, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  9. 1 2 "Washington Spirit Acquires Havana Solaun, Three Draft Picks from Seattle Reign FC for Christine Nairn". washingtonspirit.com. November 10, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Washington Spirit Signs Midfielder Havana Solaun". washingtonspirit.com. December 21, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Washington Spirit Signs Goalkeeper DiDi Haracic". washingtonspirit.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Spirit signs 2017 NWSL College Draft picks Lindsay Agnew and Meggie Dougherty Howard". washingtonspirit.com. March 10, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Washington Spirit officially signs rookies Arielle Ship and Cameron Castleberry". washingtonspirit.com. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Washington Spirit signs forward Crystal Thomas". washingtonspirit.com. April 27, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Washington Spirit acquires U.S. Women's National Team forward Mallory Pugh". washingtonspirit.com. May 13, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  16. ↑ Lombardo, Kayla (June 19, 2017). "Washington Spirit sign Argentine international forward Estefanía Banini". www.excellesports.com. Excelle Sports. Retrieved June 19, 2017. The Spirit's announcement lists her as a forward, while the team roster lists her as a midfielder.
  17. ↑ Blakely, Chris (June 27, 2017). "Washington Spirit announce the signing of Yanara Aedo". Vavel. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Washington Spirit claims midfielder Morgan Proffitt off NWSL waivers". August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  19. ↑ Caitlin Buckley (October 18, 2016). "It looks like Estefania Banini has left the Washington Spirit for Valencia CF". BlackandRedUnited.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  20. ↑ Caitlin Buckley (October 19, 2016). "Washington Spirit waive Laura del Rio, Estefania Banini still might return". BlackandRedUnited.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Washington Spirit Defender Ali Krieger Traded to Orlando Pride". washingtonspirit.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Washington Spirit Forward Crystal Dunn to Play for Chelsea Ladies FC". washingtonspirit.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  23. ↑ Steven Goff (January 23, 2017). "Washington Spirit trades Diana Matheson to Seattle Reign". Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Washington Spirit waives forward Crystal Thomas". Washington Spirit. May 19, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  25. 1 2 "Washington Spirit waives Katie Stengel and Cameron Castleberry". Washington Spirit. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Washington Spirit trades Mewis to Chicago for 2018 NWSL College Draft first round pick". Washington Spirit. August 21, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  27. ↑ "April Team of the Month announced". NWSLsoccer.com. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Spirit forward Francisca Ordega honored as NWSL Player of the Week". Washington Spirit. May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Estelle Johnson, Stephanie Labbé named to NWSL Team of the Month for June". Washington Spirit. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Save of the Week: Stephanie Labbé". National Women's Soccer League. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Save of the Week: Stephanie Labbé". Washington Spirit. July 17, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Player of the Week: Arielle Ship". Washington Spirit. August 8, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Save of the Week: DiDi Haracic and Whitney Church". Washington Spirit. September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Player of the Week: Whitney Church". Washington Spirit. September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
Match reports (preseason)
  1. ↑ "Washington Spirit Opens Preseason with 3–0 Win over Penn State University". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Washington Spirit Stays Undefeated in Preseason with 5–0 Win over UNC". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Washington Spirit continues undefeated preseason with win over Duke University". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Washington Spirit shuts out UVA 2–0, completing undefeated preseason". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
Match reports (regular season)
  1. ↑ "Washington Spirit drops 1–0 decision to NC Courage in season opener". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
Notes
  1. ↑ Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day
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