March 13, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit has released its 24-player roster, the club announced today. The roster features three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and nine forwards.
Defender Anna Heilferty was officially removed from the season-ending injury (SEI) designation this week and makes her return to the active roster. She will be eligible to play in her first match since 2022 this weekend. Forward Civana Kuhlmann will be starting the season on the SEI list but will be eligible to return to the active roster during the season.
This year’s final preseason roster features ten players with senior international experience. Goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart and Aubrey Kingsbury, defender Casey Krueger, midfielder Andi Sullivan and forwards Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman have all played for the United States, while defender Annaïg Butel and forward Ouleymata Sarr have capped for the French national team. Defender Gabby Carle has appeared for Canada, and forward Riley Tanner has competed with Panama. Carle, Kingsbury, Rodman, Sullivan and Tanner were all called up by their respective federations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer.
Krueger and forward Brittany Ratcliffe signed with the club this past offseason as free agents. Krueger comes to Washington, D.C. after playing for the Chicago Red Stars since 2016, while Ratcliffe most recently played with the North Carolina Courage. Both players signed with the Spirit on three-year deals.
Also on the roster are five of the Spirit’s 2024 NWSL Draft picks: midfielders Croix Bethune (Georgia, Pick #3), Courtney Brown (Utah, Pick #49) and Hal Hershfelt (Clemson, Pick #5), forward Makenna Morris (Clemson, Pick #13) and defender Kate Wiesner (Penn State, Pick #7). The Spirit signed undrafted first-year midfielder Heather Stainbrook to the active roster to round out the squad as the season kicks off.
“A lot of work has gone into assembling our 2024 roster and we’re thrilled to be heading into the season with this group,” said President of Soccer Operations/General Manager Mark Krikorian. “This is a team that can and will compete at a high level every week and will only get better as the season progresses.”
2024 Washington Spirit Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Lyza Bosselmann, Aubrey Kingsbury
Defenders (6): Annaïg Butel (INTL), Gabrielle Carle (INTL), Anna Heilferty, Casey Krueger, Tara McKeown, Kate…