March 16, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington Spirit huddle during the preseason
(Washington Spirit)
Seattle, Wash. – The Washington Spirit will face Seattle Reign FC in both sides’ first match of the 2024 NWSL regular season. The match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. EDT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington and will broadcast on Monumental Sports Network (MNMT2) for fans in the DMV area. The game will also be streamed on the new NWSL+ platform for fans across the United States and internationally.
The Spirit
The Washington Spirit fell short of clinching a postseason berth after falling to the North Carolina Courage, 0-1, in the team’s final game of the 2023 season. Finishing the season with a 7-6-9 record, the Spirit ironically missed the postseason despite losing the fewest matches in the NWSL. The team was playoff eligible the entire season until the final game and finished one point (30) behind the final playoff-eligible team.
For the third consecutive season, the Spirit will take on Seattle Reign FC in its season opener. This matchup is the second in NWSL history to open a season for three consecutive years – Chicago Red Stars v. Houston Dash (2016-2018). Seattle has lost consecutive season openers with both of those being Spirit home matches. In its eight season openers prior to 2022, Reign FC lost just once (3-4-0).
There has been one goal scored in the four most recent games between the Reign and Spirit (all competitions), the most recent came from Washington in the 2023 NWSL season opener off the foot of Trinity Rodman. The one total goal is the fewest in a four-game span in any fixture in NWSL history (all competitions).
Eight players will look to make their Spirit debuts on Sunday, including six first-year players and two offseason free agent signings – Casey Krueger and Brittany Ratcliffe. The six first-year players include four first round picks – Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, Kate Wiesner and Makenna Morris – who will be vying for starting positions.
However, the Spirit will suffer a crucial absence in its season opener. Rodman will not travel with the team to Seattle after picking up a red card in the final match of 2023. She will be available to play during the Spirit’s home opener against expansion side Bay FC.
Another addition to the Spirit this offseason came in the form of new coaches. Following the historic hiring of Jonatan Giráldez, who will be joining the Spirit following the conclusion of…
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