HEY SPIRITS

Annie, Ella & André break down the Spirit's second 2-0 win over Gotham! We get into the lineup and goals, plus the red card that altered the match, as well as Aubrey Kingsbury having to work for her clean sheet. Then we highlight some quotes from Jonatan Giráldez's arrival and whirlwind press tour. We discuss the awkward team transition, and his plans to manage his midseason integratio...

Annie, Ella & André welcomed Chloe Ricketts to the pod! We talked about how she wasn't good at all at soccer when she first started playing, what went into her rapid improvement, which footballer she loves to watch most, her dog and the amazing story behind her name, teammate superlatives, and of course candy corn. Please subscribe, rate, and review! ==================== Follow Us on Twitt...

Annie, Ella & André review the Spirits first draw of the season, and why it felt like so much more. We talk about record attendance, Naomi Girma being incredible, Croix Bethune finding a way to be incredibler, Trinity Rodman having to do the referee's job for her, right back Hal Hershfelt, and a bunch of other Spirits stuff. We also do a mini-preview of this weekend's match with Gotham...

Annie, Ella & André are back to review the Spirits 1-0 win over Utah Royals. We talk about the interesting lineup choice and Ashley Hatch playing in (yet another) unfamiliar position. We're also really happy for Weezy F. Golazo, but also think more goals are good and a thing we would like to see. Then we get into news about the potential timeline for Jonatan Giráldez and Leicy Santos's...

It's an international break so Annie & André had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the Spirit's newest players, Brittany Ratcliffe! They talk about her path from dance to softball to soccer, her early days with the Boston Breakers, free agency, choosing the Spirit, scoring bangers, her trademark orange bow (including an excellent detail that shocked us mid-pod), and more! Please...

Annie, Ella & André get into lots of Washington Spirit stuff. We recap the 3-2 win over Seattle Reign, and note an interesting second half trend. Then we talk about the unexpected return of United Spirits, and why Hal Hershfelt and Kate Wiesner were called up. After, we discuss the signing of Notre Dame defender Waniya Hudson, and the rumor of former Manchester City player Esme Morgan heading...

While recapping Washington Spirit's 4-2 win over Angel City, Annie takes a shot at a superstar, Ella makes a startling confession, and André thinks multiple things are annoying. Please subscribe, rate, and review! ==================== Follow Us on Twitter Pod - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@HeySpirits⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Annie...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with the new ESPN 630 team on the even of their first broadcast! Gaby Vincent, Bram Weinstein and Michael Minnich talk about why this is such an important step for the Washington Spirit (and women's sports overall), and what they'll bring to the broadcast. We also get to know each member of the team, their backgrounds, commentating pet peeves, the potent...

Annie, Ella & André discuss the Washington Spirit closing out a three-game road trip with a 2-1 win over Racing (Rahsing) Louisville! We discuss what it feels like to be the team scoring early, Aubrey Kingsbury's big penalty (and rebound) save, Savannah DeMelo & The Ref, Kate Wiesner's strong defensive performance, and an unexpected XI helping to hold onto all three points. Please...

Annie, Ella & André review an unfortunate 2-1 Spirits loss to Portland Thorns, courtesy of a couple frustrating trends they haven't been able to shake. We identify those trends and why they might be happening, and how the team may approach solving them. It was a frustrating game but there were some highlights, including Lena Silano's first regular season goal and Tara McKeown's pro...

The Spirits beat Chicago 4-2 thanks to Trinity Rodman's first, Ouleye Sarr's third, and a banger of a brace from Brittany Ratcliffe! Immediately after the postgame presser Annie, Ella & André hopped in the studio to react to it all. We talk about the Spirit finding their footing, controlling the game, responding after Chicago's first, and what it all means for the progression of th...

Ella & André react to the Spirit's narrow loss to Orlando Pride – well, more accurately, Barbra Banda. The Zambian star made her first NWSL start and showed why she was worth several bags. We discuss what worked and what didn't when defending Banda, the lineup tweak to start Paige Metayer over Ashley Hatch, Ouleye Sarr's perfect self-assessment, Bethune's first assist, and Trin...

The Washington Spirits made it four wins in a row with a surprisingly well-controlled match against a high pressing, intense NJ/NY Gotham FC. Annie, Ella & André discuss what went into this complete performance, how the Spirit limited Gotham's chances, Croix Bethune's masterpiece of a goal, Trinity Rodman's finishing struggles, and much more. Please subscribe, rate, and review! ===...

To celebrate goalkeeper kits finally becoming available across the NWSL we chatted with 2/3 of the Spirits GK Union, Aubrey Kingsbury and Nicole Barnhart! Annie, Ella and André ask just what exactly is the GK Union, the keepers they looked up to, why it's about damn time that their shirts are available, plus Aubrey's big promise to anyone who buys and wears one at Audi. We also took the ti...

The Spirits conceded another early goal but two rookies scored and two free agents combined to deliver a 3-1 win. Annie, Ella and André relive all the goals, what led to the comeback, and the Spirits unveiling a devastating high press. Then we look at the season so far to note some interesting occurrences and performances, discuss Riley Tanner being waived, and briefly look ahead to next weekend&#...

Annie, Ella & André recap the Washington Spirit's 2-1 home dub against the Utah Royals. We discuss Utah's press, Courtney Brown's first start (and encore), controlling games without the ball, Trinity Rodman's record breaking assist, VAR, and Aubrey Kingsbury preserving the three points! Then we talk about the Spirit's freshly officially announced signing, Leicy Santos. We c...

Annie, Ella & André were delighted to interview Trinity Rodman! We talk to Trinity about the offseason transition at the Spirit, how her game has progressed, what books she's reading, how she recovers after games, her favorite assist, being a staple on the USWNT, thoughts on Emma Hayes' impending arrival, candy corn, and a LOT more! Please subscribe, rate, and review! =================...

The Spirits got their first dub of the season in dramatic fashion at Rowdy Audi! Annie, Ella & André talk about a memorable night for two young players making their mark in the NWSL, an old friend turned foe, tweaks from last week, Ouleymata Sarr's amazing performance, and Trinity Rodman adding to her bag of tricks. We also recap the vibes around the stadium, including Tara McKeown's f...

Well, that wasn't fun! Annie, Ella & André review the Washington Spirit's 0-1 loss to Seattle Reign. From surprises in the season's first lineup to a haunting by an old formation to questionable refereeing – we cover it all, and find glimmers of hope to cling onto. Please subscribe, rate, and review! ==================== Follow Us on Twitter Pod - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

The NWSL season starts this weekend which means we are days away from the 2024 Washington Spirit season! If you're new to the NWSL or Washington Spirit, or just need a refresher from a busy offseason, we've got you covered! Annie, Ella & André review last season and what likely led to lots of changes. We recap all outgoing and incoming players, new coaches, expectations of the new styl...

Annie & André review the Washington Spirits freshly released 2024 shirts, pressers from new interim coach Adrián González, Lena Silano and Paige Metayer. They also brought out the magnifying glass to uncover details from the Washington Spirit's first preseason match, thanks to photos and a short video posted by the Houston Dash. Please subscribe, rate, and review! ==================== Foll...

IT'S THE BARNIE EPISODE! Annie & Ella chat with goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart about when she fell in love with the game, the journey to playing professionally, her role with the NWSLPA, and the story of her first national team start not being at goalkeeper. They also get into changes at the Spirit and how the new culture is developing, hating sweets, healthy baking, and how she quickly became...

Missing your Spirits? Annie, Ella and André chat about the upcoming W Gold Cup, where you'll have a chance to see four of your Spirits on the pitch before the regular season. Then we talk about Michele Kang officially becoming the majority owner at Lyon, and shed some light on her multi-club project from her first ever press conference. Then we get into the Spirit, and discuss the mechanism th...

Annie, Ella and André are back and with a LOT of Washington Spirit news to discuss! The preseason squad was dropped so we review the 2024 Spirits as they stand now, and wonder if we might see one or two more additions. We then say goodbye to some free agents who recently left the team, and chat about the 2024 schedule. Then we discuss interim manager Adrián González's strengths and task ahead...

The Washington Spirit were one of the most active teams during the 2024 NWSL Draft and ended up selecting six new players to suit up for the new season – and we spoke to them ALL! In the final part of this series you'll hear from Makenna Morris, Courtney Brown, and Anna Podojil! We talk to them about their experience being drafted, their path toward turning pro, how they'd describe their g...