HEY SPIRITS

Annie, Ella & I take a seat and pull out the scrapbook to review the Washington Spirit's 2025 season, but first we discuss the breaking news of Haley Carter joining the Spirit. Then we discuss everything from the Challenge Cup win to scary availability reports to an unexpected coaching change to another fun playoff run to another NWSL Championship, and a lot more. Plus, we drop our nominee...

Annie, Ella & Andrè review a(nother) sad and frustrating NWSL Championship game. First, we talk through why the Spirit struggled to create chances, suffering through low xG battles, winning the battle but losing the war, and more. Then we get into 'that moment', the human perspective, and untangle the #narrative about Gotham’s goal. Thank you for listening, please subscribe, rate, and...

Annie & André were delighted to chat with Rebeca Bernal and Narumi Miura! We cannot thank Rebe & Rumi enough for allowing us to interview them in their second language. It couldn't have been the most comfortable thing for them, but they were amazing and gave us some incredible answers. Don't miss Bernal telling us who she plays for (🫶), and Narumi telling us the thing she couldn&#...

Annie, Ella & André preview the NWSL Championship! The Spirits are in their third Championship game in five seasons, so we discuss how they can bring home their second title. We discuss Gotham's style of play and how to counter it, key players on each team, "underdogs", André trying to Do A Thing on the internet, and more. Stay until the end to make sure you hear about all the wa...

Annie, Ella & André review a, quite simply, talented, brilliant, amazing, showstopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before performance from the Washington Spirit! The Spirit are heading to yet another NWSL Championship courtesy of a dominant 2-0 performance over the Portland Thorns. We discuss why it was so dominant, and chat about the versatility...

Annie, Ella & André get you prepared for this weekend's semifinal match against the Portland Thorns! We discuss the season the two have had, their last matches, how they play, how to capitalize on their weaknesses, who needs to have a good game, who the Spirit will the Spirit need to stop, and more. Plus we also talk about clouds, and our new logo! Thank you for listening, please subscribe...

Annie, Ella & André tried to find the words to relive, analyze and reflect on yet another dramatic playoff win at Audi. Good news, we found the words and ended up going into extra time ourselves (whoops). How did Louisville's unexpected approach almost work? Why did the Spirit struggle to create high quality chances? How on earth did Spirit players remain so calm throughout the twists and...

Annie, Ella & André are back! After breezing by a bland and uneventful match against Utah, we dive deep into the Spirit's upcoming playoff match against Racing Louisville (Big Purp). The Purp are a throwback NWSL team. What does that mean, and what do the Spirit need to do to make sure their run to the playoffs ends at Audi Field? Thank you for listening, please subscribe, rate, and review...

Annie & Ella chat about a very weird final home game for the Spirit. We discuss two own goals, a beautiful team, and just how fans should react to the end of Washington's winning streak. We also share our opinions on stutter step penalty kicks, try to list all of the Spirit players called up in this international window, and mention a referee once again getting it mostly right. Thank you for l...

Annie, Ella & André review a soggy and desperate night in Cary, North Carolina. We discuss North Carolina playing desperate (and well) and the Spirit matching their intensity despite using all subs by the 67th minute. We discuss the good then bad box defending, Trinity Rodman's left foot, Narumi Miura's development, and we actually have nice things to say about referees this time! 😱 T...

Ella & André were delighted to be joined by the one and only—the rookie of the month in her first full month in the NWSL—Deborah Abiodun! We get into her journey into professional soccer, from playing with her brothers in Nigeria, to streetball and camps, to the University of Pittsburgh and Super Falcons. We also discuss her loan to Dallas Trinity, and how each phase of her career has prepared...

Annie, Ella & André recap yet another magical moment at Rowdy Audi! The Washington Spirit secured their 100th regular season win in dramatic fashion. Washington dominated the match, and got an early goal from Rose Kouassi, but the search for second went on and on, as did frustration with inconsistent refereeing. Then San Diego made it worse by equalizing deep in second half stoppage time. But...

Annie, Ella & André review the Spirit's most complete game of the season in a 4-0 showing against Houston Dash. We discuss the lineup, starts for Kysha Sylla & Gift Monday, solving Houston's pressure, hybrid formations/spaces/positions, and GOALS. LOTS AND LOTS OF GOALS!! We dissect Gift Monday's record breaking hat-trick, the nearly goals, plus the Spirit's outrageous four...

Annie, Ella & André review Thursday night's 2-2 draw with Angel City. We dig into surprises to the lineup, coping (or not) with Angel City's speed, the LeCroix Goal, the debut of the Blood Kit, scoring three of four goals, shoutouts for Tara McKeown and Deb Abiodun, positive vs. negative coaching philosophies, missed chances, and more! Thank you for listening, please subscribe, rate, a...

Annie & André were delighted to chat with Washington Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver! We discuss her path into football, then goalkeeping, which includes stops at Everton, Manchester City, and Clemson (yes, that Clemson). We discuss choosing the Spirit, the shifting int'l reputation of the NWSL, TikToks, her best save, getting stuck in a hotel bathroom (twice), and more! Thank you for list...

Annie & André review a hard earned point in Kansas City, courtesy of a 0-0 draw. We discuss the Spirit's lineup and dominance of possession, coping with the Current's quick and direct counters, how the match changed without Chawinga, and of course give our thoughts on the two yellow cards for Hal Hershfelt that left the Spirit down a player. After, we check in on some league news, and...

Annie & André review the most complete Spirit performance of the season, resulting in a 2-0 dub against Seattle Reign. We break down the tactical fluidity that kept Seattle off balance, then spotlight Deb Abiodun's unreal debut, the New Trin dropping a brace, dimes from Leicy Santos and Croix Bethune, patience, spaces instead of positions, and a lot more! Then we look ahead to the next mat...

Annie, Ella & André review Washington Spirit's 1-1 draw with Chicago Stars. We discuss the starting lineup, width problems, finishing struggles, halftime adjustments, Sofia Cantore scoring again, Paige Metayer and Deborah Abiodun hoopin, short corners, defending quick transitions, gifting Chicago their best chance, and more. Thank you for listening, please subscribe, rate, and review. It m...

Annie, Ella & André review the Spirit's 3-2 win in 'The Show', Bay FC's marquee regular season event at Oracle Park which drew a record crowd of 40,019. We discuss #formations, the Spirit's hot start and all the goals, and then of course how the match changed, the two conceded, and the quite stressful end to the match. Oh, and also playing the villain, respectfully. We also...

Ella & André review a banger-filled but frustrating match at Audi. The Spirit looked in control, and had a 1-0 lead at halftime, then found themselves chasing the game due to an own goal and soft penalty. We discuss Sofia Cantore's first start and absolute banger, the formation and personnel tweaks that shifted the balance of the match (and why), Leicy Santos' first start since the Cop...

Annie, Ella & André recap a frustrating match on a frustrating pitch in Harrison, New Jersey that ended in a 0-0 draw with 10-player Gotham. We get into how things were going before the red card (and obvs our thoughts on the decision), then dive into how the match changed, and what made it so difficult for the Spirit to break through. What is a podcast for if not hindsight? So we also look at...

Annie, Ella & André recap a dramatic, emotional, joyful, better-than-Disney match at Audi in which the Washington Spirit beat Portland Thorns, 2-1. The score is only a fraction of the story. A dominant first half somehow resulted in a 1-1 scoreline at halftime. Then, a tricky second half was lifted by the return of Trinity Rodman. Naturally, she scored the match winner with a thunderbolt of a...

It's been 84 years but the Spirits are finally BACK! So Annie, Ella & André are back chatting about the Spirit to get you ready to dive back into the season. We review new additions, recovered players, the return of Trinity Rodman, and what we can expect from Adrián González's style of play. We also welcome new Baby Spirits, get hype about Sofia Cantore, preview a full August of NWSL and Conca...

Annie, Ella & André were delighted to chat with new (permanent, this time) head coach, Adrián González! He may be one of the youngest coaches in the league, but he's been coaching as long as he's been alive. From sports science degrees to teaching to coaching, we dive deep into his background and path that's led him to the big Spirit job. We also chat about the season ahead, includ...

Annie, Ella & André return from a little break to introduce you to longtime Spirit staff member, Jordan Small! Currently, Jordan is the team's Equipment Manager, but has worked several jobs at the club dating back to before the pandemic. She's seen it all, including the growth of the club. We were delighted to get her perspective on that growth, the role she plays day-in and day-out to...