The 2024 Washington Spirit season is the team's twelfth season as a professional women's soccer team. The Spirit play in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
Background
The Spirit finished the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season in 8th place of 12 teams. The top six teams qualified for the NWSL playoffs, and the Spirit ended one point out of playoff contention. On October 17, 2023, two days following the team's final defeat against North Carolina Courage, the team released head coach Mark Parsons from his duties after one season.
Hirings
On January 9, 2024, the Spirit announced the hiring of FC Barcelona Femení manager Jonatan Giráldez as the club's head coach, to arrive in June following the conclusion of the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Champions League, which Barcelona won. Adrián González, formerly manager of RCD Espanyol Femení, served as interim head coach until Giráldez's arrival and remained with the staff as an assistant coach.
Stadium and facilities
The Spirit continued to play in Audi Field, their full-time home since the team's 2022 season, and trained at the United Performance Center in Leesburg, Virginia, a facility shared with D.C. United, D.C. United's youth academy, and Loudoun United FC.
Broadcasting
In addition to the league's national and international broadcast agreements, ten Spirit matches of the 2024 season aired on the regional Monumental Sports Network.
Team Staff
+
+
+
Players
Player Nation
Competitions
Regular season
Standings
Results summary
Matches
Results by matchday
Playoffs
The Spirit finished the regular season in 2nd place and qualified for the NWSL playoffs as the second-seeded of eight teams.
Matches
NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
The Spirit finished last in Group D of the Summer Cup and failed to advance to the tournament knockout stage.
Group stage standings
Group stage matches
Statistics
Transactions
2024 NWSL Draft
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2024 NWSL Draft was held on January 12, 2024. PlayerCollegeStatus13 Croix Bethune University of GeorgiaSigned to a three-year contract with an option on March 11, 2024.15 Hal Hershfelt Clemson UniversitySigned to a three-year contract on March 11, 2024.17 Kate Wiesner Pennsylvania State UniversitySigned to a three-year contract on March 11, 2024.113 Makenna Morris Clemson UniversitySigned to a one-year contract on March 11, 2024.335 Anna Podojil University of ArkansasNot signed.449 Courtney Brown University of UtahSigned to a three-year contract on March 11, 2024.
Contract operations +Contract optionsDatePlayerNotesNovember 20, 2023 Ashley Hatch2024 option exercised. Aubrey Kingsbury2026 option exercised. Trinity Rodman2024 option exercised. Andi Sullivan2026 option exercised. +Re-signingsDatePlayerNotesSeptember 7, 2023 Ashley SanchezRe-signed to a three-year contract through 2026.December 20, 2023 Lyza BosselmannRe-signed to a three-year contract with an option. Paige MetayerRe-signed to a three-year contract with an option.January 5, 2024 Nicole BarnhartRe-signed to a one-year contract.March 5, 2024 Ashley HatchRe-signed to a three-year contract with an option.September 19, 2024 Tara McKeownRe-signed to a four-year contract through 2027 with an option.
Loans in DatePlayerPrevious clubFee/notesJuly 27, 2024 Jill Aguilera Carolina Ascent FCLoaned through the 2024 summer FIFA international window. Maya Gordon Dallas Trinity FC
Loans out DatePlayerDestination clubFee/notesSeptember 23, 2024 Waniya Hudson Dallas Trinity FCLoaned through the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Transfers in DatePlayerPrevious clubFee/notesJanuary 10, 2024 Casey Krueger Chicago Red StarsFree agent signed to a three-year contract.January 11, 2024 Brittany Ratcliffe North Carolina CourageFree agent signed to a three-year contract.March 11, 2024 Heather Stainbrook Utah Valley WolverinesPreseason trialist signed to a three-year contract.April 2, 2024 Leicy Santos Atlético MadridSigned to a three-year contract.May 22, 2024 Waniya Hudson Notre Dame Fighting IrishSigned to a one-year contract.June 13, 2024 Esme Morgan Manchester CityAcquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a four-year contract.July 10, 2024 Rosemonde Kouassi FC Fleury 91Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a four-year contract.July 18, 2024 Jenna Butler NC State WolfpackSigned to short-term national team replacement contracts. Kaylie Collins Seattle Reign FC Olivia Stone San Diego Toreros
Transfers out DatePlayerDestination clubFee/notesNovember 20, 2023 Camryn Biegalski Chicago Red StarsFree agent signing. Amber Brooks Dallas Trinity FC Bayley Feist Kansas City Current Tori HusterRetired Marissa Sheva Portland Thorns FC Nicole Douglas London City LionessesWaived. Maddie Elwell Inès Jaurena FC Fleury 91December 12, 2023 Dorian Bailey Bay FCTraded in exchange for roster protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft. Sam Staab Chicago Red StarsTraded in exchange for the 3rd overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft. Ashley Sanchez North Carolina CourageTraded in exchange for the 5th overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft and $250,000 in allocation money.April 8, 2024 Riley Tanner Spokane Zephyr FCWaived.
Injury listings DatePlayerListInjuryJuly 12, 2023 Civana KuhlmannSeason-ending injuryKnee injury sustained in 2023.April 30, 2024 Anna HeilfertySeason-ending injuryTorn ACL sustained in a match against the Orlando Pride.August 8, 2024 Lyza BosselmannSeason-ending injuryTorn wrist ligament.September 4, 2024 Croix BethuneSeason-ending injuryTorn meniscus.October 9, 2024 Andi SullivanSeason-ending injuryTorn ACL sustained in a match against the Orlando Pride.
Preseason trialists Trialists are non-rostered invitees during preseason and are not automatically signed. The Spirit released their preseason roster on January 25, 2024. PlayerPrevious clubStatus Maya Antoine Vanderbilt CommodoresNot signed. Heather Stainbrook Utah Valley WolverinesSigned to a three-year contract on March 11, 2024.
Awards
NWSL annual awards
2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year: Croix Bethune 2024 NWSL Best XI: Casey Krueger, Croix Bethune, Trinity Rodman 2024 NWSL Second XI: Tara McKeown, Hal Hershfelt
NWSL monthly awards + Best XI of the Month Month Player March/April DF Casey Krueger MF Croix Bethune May DF Croix Bethune (2) FW Ouleymata Sarr June DF Casey Krueger (2) MF Croix Bethune (3) September FW Trinity Rodman October/November FW Makenna Morris
Rookie of the Month + NWSL Rookie of the Month Month Rookie of the Month Statline March/April Croix Bethune Led rookies with 3 goals, 2 assists in 5 matches May 1 goal, 7 assists in 5 matches; set rookie record for assists in a season; first rookie to score 3 assists in a match June 1 goal, 1 assist; first rookie to win award in three consecutive months August 1 assist, tying all-time record for assists in a season; first rookie to win award four times in one season October/November 3 goals, 1 assist; brace vs. LOU was only multi-goal match for a rookie during the season
NWSL weekly awards
Weekly awards + NWSL Goal of the Week Week Winner 12 Croix Bethune 13 Trinity Rodman 19 Trinity Rodman (2)
+ NWSL Save of the Week Week Winner 3 Aubrey Kingsbury 21 Aubrey Kingsbury (2)
References