HEY SPIRITS

Annie, Ella & André recap LOTS of Spirit news! It may be the offseason but between national team callups, obscure player signings and the search for a third center back — the Spirits are keeping us busy! We start off by previewing the NWSL's newly released 'schedule footprint', and after a bit of roasting we spotlight when and where your Spirits will return to the pitch. Then, with national te...

Happy New Year! Annie, Ella & André kickoff season 3 with a look back on an incredible 2024, and ahead to an even more promising 2025. After a quick, and fond review of 2024, we get into the currently under construction 2025 edition of the Spirit, and this podcast! We each drop a wish for the team, and for our third season of Hey Spirits . We also review some listener submissions to our season...

Annie, Ella & André are so not ready to stop talking about the 2024 Washington Spirit, so we decided to do a season review and drop some season superlatives along the way! We get into the reviewing the season overall, and how the Spirit ended up being far ahead of schedule by the end of the season. We look at the impacts of Adrián González and Jonatan Giráldez, and the early season work that p...

Annie, Ella & André review the Washington Spirit's agonizingly close loss to the Orlando Pride in the NWSL Championship. But first, the Spirit returned home to host a fan appreciation event and Annie was on the scene. She details the vibes, some spicy commentary, and a couple updates on injured Spirits. Then we get into the game, where a couple small mistakes is all Barbra Banda needed to torm...

Annie, Ella & André celebrate some Spirits earning end-of-year awards then preview the NWSL Championship game versus Orlando Pride! We get into the previous two games against Orlando (which they won), and why they might not be relevant in terms of who will be on the pitch for the Spirit, and their current style of play. We also dissect what makes Orlando so good and balanced, and spotlight pot...

Ella & André are back to review yet another come from behind playoff win by the Washington Spirit! We review the entire match, including the scary first nine minutes, and how the Spirit turned everything around. We also discuss Kingsbury's other massive saves, Gotham fullbacks meeting Rose Kouassi, Esther's 'gotta hand it to her' header, and the equalizer made in Clemson. Then we discuss the p...

Ella & André tag team to preview the Washington Spirit's semifinal versus NJ/NY Gotham FC! But first, we review the news of three Spirit players being nominated for end-of-year awards. We discuss their impact, and the adorable way in which the news was broken to the players by Andi Sullivan. Then we get into previewing the massive upcoming match. We look at past results and why you probably sh...

Annie, Ella & André are still in awe of the Washington Spirit's quarterfinal win over Bay FC! It wasn't the best the team can play, but the problem-solving Spirits—comprised of several rookies—withstood a dangerous opponent, then fought back to win in front of the rowdiest Audi we've ever seen or heard! We talk about why Bay caused the Spirit so many problems, what they did to adjust, the Alys...

Annie, Ella & André start off with a message about the present climate we find ourselves in, and how much more important this community is right now. Then we dive into previewing the Spirits upcoming playoff scrap with Bay FC! We look at some parallels between the teams, including big midseason changes, a loss of key players, and dynamic players stepping up to do dynamic things. After, we dive...

Annie, Ella & André recap the Spirits becoming the first team to beat North Carolina at home this season. We review the performance, the rookie midfield, Ashley Hatch continuing to score goals, and Trinity Rodman getting back to herself. Then we take a moment to review the season overall, including all the changes to the team, and how the Spirit managed them all to make history. Annie has incr...

Annie, Ella & André recap another strong performance from a more complete but still new-look Spirits squad. Heather Stainbrook's opening goal meant that every rookie has scored this season. We review how important they've all been, and the one trait they all seem to share that makes them unique, and effective. We also chat about the new midfield showing variation through some different roles,...

Annie, Ella & André recap yet another magical night at Audi! A new look XI dominated the game against a playoff-desperate Racing Louisville, and put up four goals in the process. We discuss each strike (including Makenna's thunderblast), Rose Kouassi's breakout game, Hal Hershfelt as a lone 6, and playing for Andi. Then we discuss potential playoff scenarios, history potentially repeating itse...

Annie, Ella and André discuss the ultra cruel 2-0 loss to Orlando Pride that clinched them their first ever NWSL Shield. Then, things got a lot worse. We begin with a discussion about Andi Sullivan being stretchered off the pitch, and hope beyond hope that it's not as serious as it seemed. Then we review a depleted Spirits side showing a lot of fight and ability to execute a vastly different gamep...

Annie, Ella & André review the Washington Spirit's 2-1 win over a desperate Angel City. We discuss the depleted lineup, how important it was that the team found other ways to generate goals, and the dubious decision to give Hal Hershfelt her fifth yellow of the season. We also demand that Dawn Scott be credited with a hockey assist for Ashley Hatch's goal, marvel at Makenna Morris' chipped fin...

Annie, Ella & André started a podcast to talk about the Washington Spirit and well sometimes that means you have to talk about the Washington Spirit when they lose 3-0 and things went from bad to worse to whatever is beyond that (maybe?). We break down what went wrong against Kansas City, how the Spirit struggled with a low block, and short corners. Then we move on to discuss Tara McKeown'...

Annie, Ella & André review a mighty comfortable 3-0 win over Houston Dash. We discuss Esme Morgan's debut and quality on the ball, Ashley Hatch's brace, Trinity Rodman being unreal (#GoToGames), and Tara McKeown revisiting familiar territory. Then we drop our chat with Makenna Morris, who joined us just hours after her new contract was announced. We talk to Morris about her decision to...

Annie & André react to the Washington Spirit's second half come-from-behind 2-1 win at Rowdy Audi! We discuss a surprise starting XI, creating (but missing) lots of chances, Ouleye Sarr's injury, Trinity Rodman's goal and elite celly, Leicy Santos' stoppage time match winner, Magic Johnson, and more! Then we preview the upcoming match against the Houston Dash, and André gives a...

In this special episode, Annie, Ella & André welcome Washington Spirit forward Ashley Hatch back on the pod! Ashley Hatch was part of the bargaining committee that solidified a second landmark NWSL CBA. She tells us what negotiations were like, when and where it got contentious, why the players fought for such big changes, and tells a great story about a mic drop moment that helped secure a ma...

Annie, Ella & André discuss a very frustrating 1-1 draw in San Diego. We discuss Croix Bethune, missed chances, and Naomi Girma being in the way. It wasn't all bad though, we also chat about some bright spots, including Trinity Rodman having a terrific game. Then we dive into free agency from a Spirit perspective, and discuss all the players who could be gone before next season. We also di...

Annie, Ella & André are full of thoughts, observations and opinions after the Spirit's 4-1 dismantling of the previous #2 team in the league. We dissect key moments from the game, starting with the XI, which featured the return of the USWNT gold medalists, Leicy Santos making her NWSL debut, and Paige Metayer at right back! We talk about the goals, the swapping of positions, Metayer's...

Annie, Ella & André chat about the Spirit's match with Arsenal, and the subsequent trolling (or maybe not??) from our friends across the pond. We give our first impressions of new Spirits, Leicy Santos and Rosemonde Kouassi. We also discuss Ashley Hatch's role, and where she might fit in among a crowded forward group. Then we look ahead to the NWSL season restarting by breaking down a...

Annie, Ella & André talk about an incredible, and incredibly chaotic, Olympic tournament. We review how the tournament went for all six Spirit players, then discuss the Olympics from the opening ceremony to some of our favorite events! We also check-in on the new Spirits and how different the team might look once they get back to NWSL regular season play. We also discuss the upcoming friendly...

Ella & André got to chat with one of the Washington Spirit's newest players, defender Esme Morgan! Esme talks to us about her journey into football, her path from boys teams to an academy to the pros, what the Lionesses winning the EUROs meant to England, what drew her to the Washington Spirit, an inside look at all that needs to be done with an int'l player transfer, figuring out her...

Annie, Ella & André review the Spirit's emphatic 3-0 win over Bay FC! It was Jonatan Giráldez's first game, but Makenna Morris stole the show with a buffet style hat trick (goal, assist, earned penalty). We discuss why she was so successful, but Jona said about why she was part of his first NWSL XI. We also get into the Spirit finding a counter to their fullbacks being pushed deeper, p...

Annie, Ella & André react to the Washington Spirit's 0-1 loss versus North Carolina Courage. Audi still loves Ashley Sanchez, which was great to see, but she also scored the (Aubs-aided) only goal of the game, which was not so great to see! We review what may have gone wrong, and what made it so difficult for the Spirit to generate quality chances. It wasn't all bad though, we also tal...