2018 Washington Spirit season
Washington Spirit 2018 soccer season
The 2018 season is Washington Spirit 's sixth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League , the top division of women's soccer in the United States. On August 21, the Spirit parted ways with Head Coach and General Manager Jim Gabarra , assistant coach Tom Torres took over as interim Head Coach for the remaining 3 games of the season.[ 1]
Review
After a difficult 2017 season , the Spirit began rebuilding their team, continuing with a youth centered approach. Considered a successful 2018 draft , Washington recruited U.S. international Andi Sullivan (no. 1 overall pick) and Canadian international Quinn [ n 1] [ 2] [ 3] Crystal Dunn's player rights for 2017 Rookie of the Year Ashley Hatch and rookie outside back Taylor Smith .[ 4] Boston Breakers allowed the Spirit to bring in U.S. international playmaker, Rose Lavelle via the subsequent dispersal draft .[ 5] Shelina Zadorsky , traded to Orlando Pride for promising goalkeeper, Aubrey Bledsoe .[ 6]
The season opened with a loss to Seattle , but saw the return of Joanna Lohman , held back in 2017 through injury, and scored in her substitute appearance.[ 7] Sky Blue FC . A combination of injuries to forwards Mallory Pugh , Havana Solaun , and Arielle Ship hamstrung the Spirit attack who were shutout 15 matches (including a 7-match streak).[ 8]
On August 21, after eight straight losses and being eliminated from playoff contention, the Spirit fired head coach, Jim Gabarra , and appointed assistant coach, Tom Torres as interim head coach.[ 1] Audi Field against Portland Thorns on August 25. The match set a new club record for home attendance with 7,976 fans.[ 9]
The last match of the season against Sky Blue FC , the Spirit ended a league-record setting goal drought at 765-minutes after Arielle Ship scored the opener of a 1–1 draw in the 71st minute.[ 10] Aubrey Bledsoe the league-wide record for saves in a single season at 108.[ 10]
Club
Roster
The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.[ 11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
(FP) = Federation player[ 12] (DD) = Dispersal draft player[ 13] (INT) = International roster player[ 13]
Team management
Source:[ 11]
Competitions
Preseason
Regular season
Regular-season standings
Results summary
Overall
Home
Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
24
2
5
17
12
35
−23
11
2
3
7
7
13
−6
0
2
10
5
22
−17
Results by round
Round 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Result L W L D D L L L W L L D D L L L L L L L L L L D Position[ n 2] 8 3 5 5 5 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Updated to match(es) played on September 2, 2018. Source:
Match reports A = Away;
H = Home;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = Loss
NWSL Playoffs
The Spirit were eliminated from playoff contention on July 22 after a 1–0 home loss to Houston Dash .[ 15]
Statistics
Appearances and goals
As of September 3, 2018[ 16] Italics indicates player left team midway through season.
Goalkeepers
Honors and awards
NWSL Yearly Awards
Transfers
In
Date
Player
Number
Position
Previous club
Fee/notes
January 16, 2018
Ashley Hatch 33
FW
North Carolina Courage Trade with Smith for Dunn's rights[ 4]
Taylor Smith 7
DF
North Carolina Courage Trade with Hatch for Dunn's rights[ 4]
January 23, 2018
Aubrey Bledsoe 1
GK
Orlando Pride Trade for Zadorsky and 2019 1st round draft pick[ 6]
January 30, 2018
Rose Lavelle 16
MF
Boston Breakers 2018 Dispersal Draft, 1st overall[ 5]
Tiffany Weimer –
FW
Boston Breakers 2018 Dispersal Draft, 20th overall[ 5]
March 21, 2018
Tiffany Weimer 88
FW
Houston Dash Signed off waivers[ 36]
March 29, 2018
Mallory Eubanks 22
FW
Mississippi State University Signed via National Team Player Replacement for Banini, signed to full contract on May 17[ 37]
June 29, 2018
Maddie Huster 25
MF
Wake Forest University Signed, was a 2018 College Draft Pick[ 38]
August 30, 2018
Megan Crosson 13
DF
UD Granadilla Tenerife Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Brenna Connell 34
MF
Washington Spirit Reserves Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Zoe Clark 31
DF
Maryland Terrapins Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Tiffay McCarty 36
FW
Florida State Seminoles Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Alexa Newfield 18
FW
Utah Royals FC Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Morgan Ruhl 38
GK
LSU Tigers Signed, National Team replacement[ 39]
Out
Date
Player
Number
Position
New club
Fee/notes
October 23, 2017
Line Jensen 7
FW
Waived[ 40]
January 16, 2018
Lindsay Agnew 8
FW
Houston Dash Traded for 2018 3rd overall draft pick[ 41]
January 23, 2018
Shelina Zadorsky 4
DF
Orlando Pride Trade for Zadorsky and 2019 1st round draft pick[ 6]
February 2, 2018
Alyssa Kleiner 22
DF
Waived[ 42]
February 12, 2018
Kassey Kallman 6
DF
Retired[ 43] [non-primary source needed [ 44]
February 13, 2018
Tiffany Weimer –
FW
Houston Dash Trade for 2019 4th round draft pick[ 45]
February 14, 2018
Stephanie Labbé 1
GK
Released rights[ 46]
February 24, 2018
Cheyna Matthews 20
FW
Out for 2018 season; pregnancy[ 47] [non-primary source needed
March 19, 2018
Schuyler DeBree 13
FW
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
Elizabeth Wenger 18
DF
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
Mallory Eubanks 22
FW
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
Maddie Huster 25
MF
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
Brittany Basinger 28
DF
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
Rachel Moore 32
FW
Waived, rights retained[ 48]
June 19, 2018
Morgan Proffitt 12
MF
SK Slavia Praha Waived. Signed with SK Slavia Praha[ 49]
June 21, 2018
Yanara Aedo 27
FW
Valencia CF Femenino Waived. Signed with Valencia CF Femenino[ 50]
July 25, 2018
Maddie Huster 25
MF
Waived.[ 48]
Draft picks
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. Only those who are signed to a contract will be listed as transfers in. Only trades involving draft picks and executed during the 2018 NWSL College Draft will be listed in the notes.
Notes
^ Then known as Rebecca Quinn
^ Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day
References
^ a b "Washington Spirit parts ways with head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra" . August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit selects seven in NWSL College Draft" . Washington Spirit. January 18, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .^ Kevin O'Rouke (February 1, 2018). "Offseason Youth Movement May Lead to Washington Spirit Dynasty" . Germantown Pulse. Retrieved September 3, 2018 . ^ a b c "Washington Spirit acquires U.S. internationals Taylor Smith, Ashley Hatch from North Carolina Courage" . washingtonspirit.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .^ a b c d "Washington Spirit selects USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle with top overall pick in NWSL Dispersal Draft" . washingtonspirit.com. January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018 .^ a b c "Washington Spirit acquires goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, 2019 1st round pick from Orlando Pride" . washingtonspirit.com. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit falls to Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in regular season opener" . washingtonspirit.com. March 24, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .^ Caitlin Buckley (June 9, 2018). "Mallory Pugh sidelined 8-10 weeks with a PCL sprain" . www.blackandredunited.com . Retrieved September 3, 2018 . ^ "Washington Spirit finally score, but have to settle for 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC" . Washington Spirit. August 25, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .^ a b Jason Anderson (September 2, 2018). "Washington Spirit finally score, but have to settle for 1-1 draw with Sky Blue FC" . www.blackandredunited.com . Retrieved September 3, 2018 . ^ a b "Washington Spirit" . washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved March 23, 2018 .^ "NWSL announces 34 federation players for 2018 season" . The Equalizer. February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018 .^ a b "Washington Spirit announces updated roster ahead of 2018 NWSL regular season" . Washington Spirit. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018 .^ "Chicago Blanks Washington 2-0 Stretching Four-Game Undefeated Streak" . Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2018 .^ Iliana Limón Romero (July 22, 2018). "Houston Dash earn 1-0 win over Washington Spirit in match postponed due to storms" . www.prosoccerusa.com . Retrieved September 3, 2018 . ^ "Washington Spirit Stats" . NWSL.^ Purdy, Jacqueline (September 16, 2018). "2018 NWSL Awards Finalists" . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL. Retrieved September 24, 2018 . ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (September 16, 2018). "2018 NWSL Awards Finalists" . NWSLsoccer.com . NWSL. Retrieved September 24, 2018 . ^ Balf, Celia (April 6, 2018). "March Team of the Month" . NWSLsoccer . NWSL. Retrieved April 6, 2018 . ^ Purdy, Jacqueline (May 3, 2018). "April Team of the Month" . NWSLsoccer.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018 . ^ "Player of the Week: Mallory Pugh: Week 2" . NWSLsoccer.com. April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018 .^ "Player of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe" . June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018 .^ "Vote: Goal of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018 .^ "Vote: Goal of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018 .^ "Vote: Goal of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018 .^ "Vote: Save of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2018 .^ "Vote: Save of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018 .^ "Vote: Save of the Week" . National Women's Soccer League . April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe" . National Women's Soccer League . April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week: Aubrey Bledsoe" . National Women's Soccer League . May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 11/12" . National Women's Soccer League . June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 15" . YouTube . National Women's Soccer League. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 16" . YouTube . National Women's Soccer League. July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 22" . YouTube . National Women's Soccer League. August 27, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018 .^ "Save of the Week nominees: Week 24" . YouTube . National Women's Soccer League. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit claims Tiffany Weimer off waivers" . washingtonspirit.com. March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit signs Mallory Eubanks as National Team Replacement Player" . washingtonspirit.com. March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit signs midfielder Maddie Huster" . June 29, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018 .^ a b c d e f "Washington Spirit signs six National Team Replacement Players" . August 30, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit exercises contract options on 17 players for 2018 season" . washingtonspirit.com. October 23, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit acquires No. 3 overall pick in NWSL College Draft from Houston Dash" . washingtonspirit.com. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit waives defender Alyssa Kleiner" . washingtonspirit.com. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018 .^ "Kallman retirement announcement" . Twitter. February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018 .^ Jason Anderson (February 13, 2018). "Kassey Kallman will not play for the Washington Spirit in 2018" . Black and Red United. Retrieved February 14, 2018 . ^ Corey Roepken (February 13, 2018). "Dash acquire forward Tiffany Weimer from Washington Spirit" . Houston Chronicle . Retrieved February 14, 2018 . ^ "Washington Spirit elects not to retain NWSL rights to goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé" . Washington Spirit. February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018 .^ "Matthews pregnancy announcement" . Twitter. February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018 .^ a b c d e f g "Washington Spirit announces updated roster ahead of 2018 NWSL regular season" . Washington Spirit. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit waives midfielder Morgan Proffitt" . June 19, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018 .^ "Washington Spirit places Yanara Aedo on waivers" . June 21, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018 .^ Jacqueline Purdy (January 18, 2018). "Spirit select Andi Sullivan with the No. 1 pick on the College Draft" . NWSL. Retrieved January 18, 2018 . ^ a b c d e f g Jacqueline Purdy (January 18, 2018). "Watch Live: 2018 NWSL College Draft; live pick-by-pick updates" . NWSL. Retrieved January 18, 2018 .
External links
The Club Stadium Development system Retired numbers Key personnel
Current teams Future team Former teams Seasons Competition Personnel Awards Related articles
International
Club competitions National teams
