The 2021 Washington Spirit season was the club's 11th season of existence, and its ninth in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.
The season began with the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup on April 9, 2021 followed by a 24-match regular season. The regular season concluded on October 31, 2021. The Spirit made its first playoff appearance in five years on November 7, 2021, taking down the defending league champion North Carolina Courage in a quarterfinal match at Audi Field. On November 14, Washington took down two-seed OL Reign in Tacoma to advance to the 2021 NWSL Championship Game in Louisville, KY. The following Saturday, November 20, the Spirit earned its first league title with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars after extra time.
Background
The 2020 season was the Washington Spirit's seventh season. The season was slated to begin on April 18, 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, the NWSL season was cancelled due to the pandemic. The club participated in the NWSL Challenge Cup and the NWSL Fall series which were held in lieu of the regular season. The Challenge Cup was held behind closed doors at the neutral venue of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. The Spirit reached the Quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup, and finished in third place in the Fall Series. Combined across all matches, the Spirit had the second best record of matches played during the 2020 season.
Club
Roster
No.Pos.PlayerNation
Management and support staff RoleNameManagerVacantTechnical Staff Coach Kris WardGoalkeeping coach Paul CrichtonHigh Performance Director Michael Minthorne
Non-competitive
Competitive
NWSL Challenge Cup
Standings
Results
NWSL
Standings
Results
Playoffs
Transfers
Transfers in Date Position No. Name From Fee/notes Ref. December 24, 2020 MF 6 Emily Sonnett Orlando Pride Trade for Meggie Dougherty Howard January 26, 2021 MF 16 Julia Roddar Göteborg Free June 23, 2021DF25Karina Rodriguez UCLA Bruins Free
Transfers out Date Position No. Name To Fee/notes Ref. August 18, 2020 MF 10 Rose Lavelle Manchester City Free November 2, 2020 FW 20 Cheyna Matthews Racing Louisville Waived November 12, 2020 GK 21 Katie Lund Racing Louisville Draft November 12, 2020 FW 6 Katie McClure Racing Louisville Draft December 24, 2020 MF 8 Meggie Howard Orlando Pride Trade for Emily Sonnett December 30, 2020 DF 5 Brooke Hendrix Racing Louisville Free January 7, 2021 FW 18 Jessie Scarpa KIF Örebro Free July 8, 2021 DF 4 Natalie Jacobs Real Betis Wavied
NWSL Draft picks
Round Selection Player Nat. Position College Ref.12Washington State18USC 2 19 Boston U 3 29 UNC Wilmington 4 39 Clemson
Player statistics
Top scorers PlacePos.No.NameTotal1FW33 Ashley Hatch0101112FW2 Trinity Rodman16183FW10 Ashley Sanchez14164MF12 Andi Sullivan02135FW17 Kumi Yokoyama1001DF3 Sam Staab0101DF14 Paige Nielsen0101MF23 Tori Huster0101DF27 Tara McKeown0101MF16Julia Roddar0101MF26 Taylor Aylmer0101DF5 Kelley O'Hara0011 6 Own Goal0101Total329537
Assist leaders PlacePos.No.NameTotal1FW2 Trinity Rodman15172MF12 Andi Sullivan03033DF4 Natalie Jacobs1102MF23 Tori Huster0202MF26 Taylor Aylmer0202FW27 Tara McKeown0202DF3 Sam Staab01124DF5 Kelley O'Hara0101MF19 Dorian Bailey1001MF16 Julia Roddar0101Total318223
Clean sheets PlacePos.No.NameTotal1GK1 Aubrey Bledsoe28111Total28111
Disciplinary Pos. No. Name Total GK1 Aubrey Bledsoe 00100010FW2 Trinity Rodman 00400040DF3 Sam Staab 00110011DF4 Natalie Jacobs 10000010DF5 Kelley O'Hara 11001021DF6 Emily Sonnett 10000010FW10 Ashley Sanchez 00300030MF12 Andi Sullivan 00210021DF16 Julia Roddar 10201040MF19 Dorian Bailey 00100010DF21 Anna Heilferty 10100020DF23 Tori Huster 10300040MF26 Taylor Aylmer 00100010FW33 Ashley Hatch 00200020Total6124220323
References
External links Washington Spirit