2018 Washington Spirit season

Washington Spirit
2018 season
General Manager Chris Hummer
Head Coach Tom Torres (interim)
Stadium Maryland SoccerPlex
NWSL 8th
Top goalscorer Ashley Hatch (4)
Highest home attendance 7,976
(Aug 25 vs. Portland at Audi Field)
Lowest home attendance 2,433
(May 23 vs. North Carolina)
Average home league attendance 3,892
Home colors
Away colors

The 2018 season is Washington Spirit's sixth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. On August 21st, the Spirit parted ways with Head Coach and General Manager Jim Gabarra, assistant coach Tom Torres took over as interim Head Coach for the remaining 3 games of the season.[1]

Review

After a difficult 2017 season, the Spirit began rebuilding their team, continuing with a youth centered approach. Considered a successful 2018 draft, Washington recruited U.S. international Andi Sullivan (no. 1 overall pick) and Canadian international Rebecca Quinn (no. 3 overall pick).[2][3] In addition to the draft, the Spirit traded Crystal Dunn's player rights for 2017 Rookie of the Year Ashley Hatch and rookie outside back Taylor Smith.[4] The unfortunate folding of Boston Breakers allowed the Spirit to bring in U.S. international playmaker, Rose Lavelle via the subsequent dispersal draft.[5] What seemed to be only key loss for the Spirit was captain and anchor centerback, Shelina Zadorsky, traded to Orlando Pride for promising goalkeeper, Aubrey Bledsoe.[6]

The season opened with a loss to Seattle, but saw the return of Joanna Lohman, held back in 2017 through injury, and scored in her substitute appearance.[7] After several mediocre performances in March and April, the Spirit would struggle for the remainder of the season, winning only one more match (of two all season) against struggling Sky Blue FC. A combination of injuries to forwards Mallory Pugh, Havana Solaun, and Arielle Ship hamstrung the Spirit attack who were shutout 15 matches (including a 7-match streak).[8]

On August 21, after eight straight losses and being eliminated from playoff contention, the Spirit fired head coach, Jim Gabarra, and appointed assistant coach, Tom Torres as interim head coach.[1] Torres lead the Spirit through the final three matches of the season at home, including the Spirit's debut at newly opened Audi Field against Portland Thorns on August 25. The match set a new club record for home attendance with 7,976 fans.[9]

The last match of the season against Sky Blue FC, the Spirit ended a league-record setting goal drought at 765-minutes after Arielle Ship scored the opener of a 1-1 draw in the 71st minute.[10] The match also earned Aubrey Bledsoe the league-wide record for saves in a single season at 108.[10]

Club

Roster

The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.[11]

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

No. Position Player
1 United States GK Aubrey Bledsoe
2 United States FW Arielle Ship
3 United States DF Caprice Dydasco
4 Canada MF Rebecca Quinn (FP)
5 United States DF Whitney Church
6 United States MF Andi Sullivan
7 United States DF Taylor Smith (FP)
8 United States MF Megan Dougherty Howard
9 United States MF Havana Solaun
10 Argentina FW Estefanía Banini (INT)
11 United States FW Mallory Pugh (FP)
No. Position Player
14 Nigeria FW Francisca Ordega (INT)
15 United States MF Joanna Lohman
16 United States MF Rose Lavelle (FP) (DD)
17 United States FW Cali Farquharson
19 United States GK Kelsey Wys
21 United States GK DiDi Haracic
22 United States FW Mallory Eubanks
23 United States MF Tori Huster
24 United States DF Estelle Johnson
33 United States FW Ashley Hatch
88 United States FW Tiffany Weimer (DD)
  • (FP) = Federation player[12]
  • (DD) = Dispersal draft player[13]
  • (INT) = International roster player[13]

Team management

Head Coach Jim Gabarra
First Assistant Coach Briana Scurry
Goalkeeping Coach Jack Stefanowski
Assistant Coach Tom Torres
Assistant Coach Kati Jo Spisak
Director of Sports Science Kevin Boyle

Source:[11]

Competitions

Preseason

Regular season

Regular season standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 North Carolina Courage (C) 24 17 6 1 53 17 +36 57 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC 24 12 6 6 40 28 +12 42 NWSL Playoffs
3 Seattle Reign FC 24 11 8 5 27 19 +8 41
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 9 10 5 38 28 +10 37
5 Utah Royals FC 24 9 8 7 22 23 −1 35
6 Houston Dash 24 9 5 10 35 39 −4 32
7 Orlando Pride 24 8 6 10 30 37 −7 30
8 Washington Spirit 24 2 5 17 12 35 −23 11
9 Sky Blue FC 24 1 6 17 21 52 −31 9
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champion.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
24 2 5 17 12 35  −23 11 2 3 7 7 13  −6 0 2 10 5 22  −17

Last updated: September 2, 2018.
Source: Match reports

Results by round

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
GroundAHHAHAAHHAHAHHAAAHAAAHHH
ResultLWLDDLLLWLLDDLLLLLLLLLLD
Position[n 1]835558888888888888888888

Updated to match(es) played on September 2, 2018. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

NWSL Playoffs

The Spirit were eliminated from playoff contention on July 22 after a 1-0 home loss to Houston Dash.[15]

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of September 3, 2018[16]
No. Pos Nat Player TotalNWSL
AppsGoalsAppsGoals
Defenders:
3 DF United States Caprice Dydasco 24021+30
5 DF United States Whitney Church 22021+10
7 DF United States Taylor Smith 230230
13 DF United States Megan Crosson 1010
24 DF United States Estelle Johnson 210210
31 DF United States Zoe Clark 1010
Midfielders:
4 MF Canada Rebecca Quinn 17016+10
6 MF United States Andi Sullivan 23022+10
9 MF United States Havana Solaun 1305+80
12 MF United States Morgan Proffitt 402+20
15 MF United States Joanna Lohman 1314+91
16 MF United States Rose Lavelle 1105+60
18 MF United States Alexa Newfield 1010
19 MF United States Megan Dougherty Howard 23014+90
23 MF United States Tori Huster 17015+20
Forwards:
2 FW United States Arielle Ship 210+21
8 FW United States Mallory Eubanks 1205+70
10 FW Argentina Estefania Banini 12111+11
11 FW United States Mallory Pugh 15213+22
14 FW Nigeria Francisca Ordega 18315+33
17 FW United States Cali Farquharson 501+40
27 FW Chile Yanara Aedo 0000
33 FW United States Ashley Hatch 224224
36 FW United States Tiffany McCarty 1010
88 FW United States Tiffany Weimer 301+20

Italics indicates player left team midway through season.

Goalkeepers

No. Nat Player National Women's Soccer League
GP GS MIN W L D GA GAA CS
1 United StatesAubrey Bledsoe 212118902125301.434
19 United StatesKelsey Wys 119001022.000
21 Bosnia and HerzegovinaDiDi Haracic 2218002031.500

Honors and awards

NWSL Season Awards


NWSL Team of the Month

Month Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref.
March United States Mallory Pugh [18]
April United States Aubrey Bledsoe United States Estelle Johnson Nigeria Francisca Ordega
United States Mallory Pugh		 [19]

NWSL Player of the Month

Month Result Player Ref.

NWSL Player of the Week

Week Result Player Ref
2 Won United States Mallory Pugh [20]
11/12 Won United States Aubrey Bledsoe [21]

NWSL Goal of the Week

Week Result Player Ref.
1 Nominated United States Joanna Lohman [22]
2 Nominated United States Mallory Pugh [23]
3 Nominated United States Mallory Pugh [24]

NWSL Save of the Week

Week Result Player Ref.
1 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [25]
2 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [26]
3 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [27]
4 Won United States Aubrey Bledsoe [28]
5 Won United States Aubrey Bledsoe [29]
11/12 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [30]
15 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [31]
16 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [32]
22 Nominated United States DiDi Haracic [33]
24 Nominated United States Aubrey Bledsoe [34]

Transfers

In

Date Player Number Position Previous club Fee/Notes
January 16, 2018United States Ashley Hatch33FWUnited States North Carolina CourageTrade with Smith for Dunn's rights[4]
United States Taylor Smith7DFUnited States North Carolina CourageTrade with Hatch for Dunn's rights[4]
January 23, 2018United States Aubrey Bledsoe1GKUnited States Orlando PrideTrade for Zadorsky and 2019 1st round draft pick[6]
January 30, 2018United States Rose Lavelle16MFUnited States Boston Breakers2018 Dispersal Draft, 1st overall[5]
United States Tiffany Weimer–FWUnited States Boston Breakers2018 Dispersal Draft, 20th overall[5]
March 21, 2018United States Tiffany Weimer88FWUnited States Houston DashSigned off waivers[35]
March 29, 2018United States Mallory Eubanks22FWUnited States Mississippi State UniversitySigned via National Team Player Replacement for Banini, signed to full contract on May 17[36]
June 29, 2018United States Maddie Huster25MFUnited States Wake Forest UniversitySigned, was a 2018 College Draft Pick[37]
August 30, 2018United States Megan Crosson13DFSpain UD Granadilla TenerifeSigned, National Team replacement[38]
United States Brenna Connell34MFUnited States Washington Spirit ReservesSigned, National Team replacement[38]
United States Zoe Clark31DFUnited States Maryland TerrapinsSigned, National Team replacement[38]
United States Tiffay McCarty36FWUnited States Florida State SeminolesSigned, National Team replacement[38]
United States Alexa Newfield18FWUnited States Utah Royals FCSigned, National Team replacement[38]
United States Morgan Ruhl38GKUnited States LSU TigersSigned, National Team replacement[38]

Out

Date Player Number Position New club Fee/Notes
October 23, 2017Denmark Line Jensen7FWWaived[39]
January 16, 2018Canada Lindsay Agnew8FWUnited States Houston DashTraded for 2018 3rd overall draft pick[40]
January 23, 2018Canada Shelina Zadorsky4DFUnited States Orlando PrideTrade for Zadorsky and 2019 1st round draft pick[6]
February 2, 2018United States Alyssa Kleiner22DFWaived[41]
February 12, 2018United States Kassey Kallman6DFRetired[42][43]
February 13, 2018United States Tiffany Weimer–FWUnited States Houston DashTrade for 2019 4th round draft pick[44]
February 14, 2018Canada Stephanie Labbé1GKReleased rights[45]
February 24, 2018United States Cheyna Matthews20FWOut for 2018 season; pregnancy[46]
March 19, 2018United States Schuyler DeBree13FWWaived, rights retained[47]
United States Elizabeth Wenger18DFWaived, rights retained[47]
United States Mallory Eubanks22FWWaived, rights retained[47]
United States Maddie Huster25MFWaived, rights retained[47]
United States Brittany Basinger28DFWaived, rights retained[47]
United States Rachel Moore32FWWaived, rights retained[47]
June 19, 2018United States Morgan Proffitt12MFCzech Republic SK Slavia PrahaWaived. Signed with SK Slavia Praha[48]
June 21, 2018Chile Yanara Aedo27FWSpain Valencia CF FemeninoWaived. Signed with Valencia CF Femenino[49]
July 25, 2018United States Maddie Huster25MFWaived. [47]

Draft picks

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. Only trades involving draft picks and executed during the 2018 NWSL College Draft will be listed in the notes.

Player Pos Previous club Notes Ref
United States Andi SullivanMFUnited States Stanford UniversityRound 1, Pick 1 (1st overall)[50]
Canada Rebecca QuinnMFUnited States Duke UniversityRound 1, Pick 3 (3rd overall)[51]
United States Schuyler DeBreeDFUnited States Duke UniversityRound 2, Pick 1 (11th overall)[51]
United States Mallory EubanksFWUnited States Mississippi State UniversityRound 2, Pick 6 (16th overall)[51]
United States Elizabeth WengerDFUnited States Georgetown UniversityRound 2, Pick 7 (17th overall)
(via 2018 Dispersal Draft, 17th overall)		[5][51]
United States Brittany BasingerDFUnited States Penn State UniversityRound 3, Pick 1 (21st overall)[51]
United States Maddie HusterMFUnited States Wake Forest UniversityRound 3, Pick 6 (26th overall)[51]
United States Rachel MooreMFUnited States William and Mary CollegeRound 4, Pick 1 (31th overall)[51]

Notes

  1. ↑ Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day

References

  1. 1 2 "Washington Spirit parts ways with head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra". August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Washington Spirit selects seven in NWSL College Draft". Washington Spirit. January 18, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Kevin O'Rouke (February 1, 2018). "Offseason Youth Movement May Lead to Washington Spirit Dynasty". Germantown Pulse. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Washington Spirit acquires U.S. internationals Taylor Smith, Ashley Hatch from North Carolina Courage". washingtonspirit.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Washington Spirit selects USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle with top overall pick in NWSL Dispersal Draft". washingtonspirit.com. January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 "Washington Spirit acquires goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, 2019 1st round pick from Orlando Pride". washingtonspirit.com. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Washington Spirit falls to Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in regular season opener". washingtonspirit.com. March 24, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  8. ↑ Caitlin Buckley (June 9, 2018). "Mallory Pugh sidelined 8-10 weeks with a PCL sprain". www.blackandredunited.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Washington Spirit finally score, but have to settle for 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC". Washington Spirit. August 25, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  10. 1 2 Jason Anderson (September 2, 2018). "Washington Spirit finally score, but have to settle for 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC". www.blackandredunited.com. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Washington Spirit". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "NWSL announces 34 federation players for 2018 season". The Equalizer. February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "Washington Spirit announces updated roster ahead of 2018 NWSL regular season". Washington Spirit. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Chicago Blanks Washington 2-0 Stretching Four-Game Undefeated Streak". Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  15. ↑ Iliana Limón Romero (22 July 2018). "Houston Dash earn 1-0 win over Washington Spirit in match postponed due to storms". www.prosoccerusa.com. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "Washington Spirit Stats". NWSL.
  17. 1 2 Purdy, Jacqueline (16 September 2018). "2018 NWSL Awards Finalists". NWSLsoccer.com. NWSL. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  18. ↑ Balf, Celia (April 6, 2018). "March Team of the Month". NWSLsoccer. NWSL. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  19. ↑ Purdy, Jacqueline (May 3, 2018). "April Team of the Month". NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Player of the Week: Mallory Pugh: Week 2". NWSLsoccer.com. April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Player of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe". June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Vote: Goal of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Vote: Goal of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Vote: Goal of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Vote: Save of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Vote: Save of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Vote: Save of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Save of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe". National Women's Soccer League. April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Save of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe". National Women's Soccer League. May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 11/12". National Women's Soccer League. June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 15". YouTube. National Women's Soccer League. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  32. ↑ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 16". YouTube. National Women's Soccer League. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  33. ↑ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 22". YouTube. National Women's Soccer League. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  34. ↑ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 24". YouTube. National Women's Soccer League. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  35. ↑ "Washington Spirit claims Tiffany Weimer off waivers". washingtonspirit.com. March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Washington Spirit signs Mallory Eubanks as National Team Replacement Player". washingtonspirit.com. March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Washington Spirit signs midfielder Maddie Huster". June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Washington Spirit signs six National Team Replacement Players". August 30, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Washington Spirit exercises contract options on 17 players for 2018 season". washingtonspirit.com. October 23, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Washington Spirit acquires No. 3 overall pick in NWSL College Draft from Houston Dash". washingtonspirit.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Washington Spirit waives defender Alyssa Kleiner". washingtonspirit.com. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Kallman retirement announcement". Twitter. February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  43. ↑ Jason Anderson (February 13, 2018). "Kassey Kallman will not play for the Washington Spirit in 2018". Black and Red United. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  44. ↑ Corey Roepken (February 13, 2018). "Dash acquire forward Tiffany Weimer from Washington Spirit". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  45. ↑ "Washington Spirit elects not to retain NWSL rights to goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé". Washington Spirit. February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  46. ↑ "Matthews pregnancy announcment". Twitter. February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Washington Spirit announces updated roster ahead of 2018 NWSL regular season". Washington Spirit. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Washington Spirit waives midfielder Morgan Proffitt". June 19, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Washington Spirit places Yanara Aedo on waivers". June 21, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  50. ↑ Jacqueline Purdy (January 18, 2018). "Spirit select Andi Sullivan with the No. 1 pick on the College Draft". NWSL. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  51. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jacqueline Purdy (January 18, 2018). "Watch Live: 2018 NWSL College Draft; live pick-by-pick updates". NWSL. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
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