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. However, building for the future, Gabarra was able to recruit U.S. national team prospect, Mallory Pugh midseason. Pugh would go on to lead the team in scoring, registering 6 goals in 16 games.
Club
Roster The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.
(FP)
(FP)
(FP)
(FP) = Federation player
Team management
Source:
Competitions
Preseason On February 2, the Washington Spirit announced its preseason schedule.
Regular season
Regular-season standings
Results summary
Results by round
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).
Squad statistics Squad statistics are of regular season only
Appearances and goals
|colspan="8"|Defenders:
|colspan="8"|Midfielders:
|colspan="8"|Forwards:
Italics indicates player left team midway through season.
Goalkeeper Stats Last updated: October 1, 2017 PlayerNational Women's Soccer League 1 Stephanie Labbe 17 17 1530 4 10 3 30 1.76 2 18 Kelsey Wys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 21 DiDi Haracic 7 7 630 1 5 1 18 2.57 0
Transfers
In
DatePlayerNumberPositionPrevious clubFee/notesNovember 17, 2016 Kristie Mewis 19 MF Boston Breakers TradeNovember 17, 2016 Kassey Kallman 6 DF Boston Breakers TradeDecember 21, 2016 Havana Solaun 9 MF Seattle Reign FC Trade for Rights, SignedFebruary 10, 2017 DiDi Haracic 21 GK Washington Spirit Reserves SignedMarch 10, 2017 Lindsay Agnew 8 FW Ohio State 2017 Draft PickMarch 10, 2017 Megan Dougherty Howard 29 MF Florida 2017 Draft PickApril 5, 2017 Arielle Ship 2 FW California 2017 Draft PickApril 5, 2017 Cameron Castleberry 16 MF North Carolina 2017 Draft PickApril 27, 2017 Crystal Thomas 13 FW Georgetown University SignedMay 13, 2017 Mallory Pugh 11 FW UCLA Signed via Distribution Ranking OrderJune 19, 2017 Estefanía Banini 10 FW Valencia Féminas CF Signed pending international transfer certificate The Spirit's announcement lists her as a forward, while the team roster lists her as a midfielder.June 27, 2017 Yanara Aedo 27 FW Valencia Féminas CF Signed pending international transfer certificateAugust 23, 2017 Morgan Proffitt 12 MF Chicago Red Stars Signed after waived
Out
DatePlayerNumberPositionNew clubFee/notesOctober 18, 2016 Estefanía Banini 10 MF Valencia Féminas CF FreeOctober 19, 2016 Laura del Rio 57 FW WaivedNovember 2, 2016 Ali Krieger 11 DF Orlando Pride TradeNovember 17, 2016 Megan Oyster 4 DF Boston Breakers TradeApril 22, 2016 Christine Nairn 7 MF Seattle Reign FC TradeJanuary 2, 2017 Crystal Dunn 19 FW Chelsea L.F.C. FreeJanuary 23, 2017 Diana Matheson 8 MF Seattle Reign FC TradeMay 19, 2017 Crystal Thomas 13 FW WaivedJune 28, 2017 Katie Stengel 12 FW Boston Breakers WaivedJune 28, 2017 Cameron Castleberry 16 MF WaivedAugust 21, 2017 Kristie Mewis 19 FW Chicago Red Stars Trade for 2018 First round draft pick
Honors and awards
NWSL Team of the Month
Month Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref. April Stephanie Labbé Estelle Johnson June Stephanie Labbé Estelle Johnson
NWSL Weekly Awards
NWSL Player of the Week
Week Result Player Ref. 4 Francisca Ordega 15 Arielle Ship 20 Whitney Church
NWSL Save of the Week
Week Result Player Ref. 11 Stephanie Labbé 20 DiDi Haracic Whitney Church
See also 2017 National Women's Soccer League season
References
Match reports (preseason)
Match reports (regular season)
Notes
External links