2023 Washington Spirit season

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Washington Spirit
2023 season
OwnerY. Michele Kang
General managerMark Krikorian
Head coachMark Parsons
StadiumAudi Field
(capacity: 20,000)
League8th
Challenge CupGroup Stage
Top goalscorerAshley Hatch (8)
Highest home attendance12,232
(May 6 vs. SD)
Lowest home attendance7,073
(Apr 22 vs. HOU)
Average home league attendance9,940
Biggest win3–1
(May 6 vs. SD)
Biggest defeat0–3
(Jul 1 vs. ORL)
← 2022
2024 →
All statistics correct as of July 8, 2023.

The 2023 Washington Spirit season was the team's eleventh season as a professional women's soccer team. The Spirit played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

Background[edit]

See also: 2022 Washington Spirit season

The Spirit failed to defend their 2021 championship during the 2022 season, and also failed to qualify for the NWSL Playoffs, finishing in 11th place of 12 teams.[1] The team fired championship-winning Kris Ward after a 1–6–9 start and allegations of misconduct toward players, leaving Albertin Montoya to finish the season as interim head coach. Ward was later banned indefinitely by the NWSL following a league investigation into the allegations.[2] The team also hired Mark Krikorian, formerly head coach of the Florida State Seminoles women's soccer team, as its new general manager in June 2022.[3]

The Spirit hired former manager Mark Parsons as the team's new head coach in November 2022

Hirings[edit]

In November 2022, the Spirit announced several technical and front-office hirings, including:

Offseason transactions[edit]

See also: § Transactions

On February 7, 2023, the Spirit signed Olympique Lyon midfielder Inès Jaurena,[7] who had ended her contract with Lyon by mutual consent on January 29.[8]

On March 3, 2023, the Spirit signed midfielder Chloe Ricketts, who at 15 years and 283 days old had signed her NWSL contract at an age three days' younger than Olivia Moultrie in June 2021, setting a new NWSL record for youngest signing.[9] The record was broken again 18 days later, when San Diego Wave FC signed Melanie Barcenas at 15 years and 138 days old. Rickett was signed using the league's new under-18 entry mechanism added by the collective bargaining agreement signed near the start of the NWSL preseason.[10]

Change in colors[edit]

The Spirit abandoned its red, white, and blue color scheme for monochromatic white and black kits with a metallic chrome crest. The team debuted the kits and crest to premium season ticket holders, supporters' group members, and sponsors at the Penn Social event space on March 1, 2023.[11] Spirit owner Y. Michele Kang said the changes represent a clean-slate transition toward a planned club rebranding.[12]

Summary[edit]

March/April[edit]

The Spirit went undefeated in its first five league matches and did not trail an opponent during that span,[13] but lost its 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup opener to NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–0 on April 19.[14] The unbeaten stretch included the professional debut of Ricketts on April 15 against North Carolina Courage.[15]

On April 7, the Spirit announced the hiring of Mami Yamaguchi, a former Japan national team player and former player and assistant coach to Mark Krikorian at Florida State, as an assistant coach. She had most recently served as an assistant coach and player-coach at Detroit City FC and AFC Ann Arbor.[16][17]

May[edit]

The Spirit continued winning through the start of May, with wins of 3–1 against San Diego Wave FC on May 6, 4–2 against Orlando Pride in the second match of Challenge Cup group play, and 1–0 against Angel City FC on May 13 to move to the top of the NWSL table. The team's time atop the standings ended with its next match on May 20, its first league loss of the season, falling 2–1 at Orlando Pride.[18] The Spirit finished May tied for second with 16 points with OL Reign, San Diego Wave FC, and Portland Thorns FC after a 1–1 draw against leaders NJ/NY Gotham FC on May 28, equalizing on a Paige Metayer goal in the 69th minute.[19]

Kang bids for OL Féminin[edit]

On May 13, Olympique Lyon won the Coupe de France féminine 2–1 over Paris Saint-Germain, its 10th victory in the competition, on a brace by Ada Hegerberg.[20] The match was attended by Spirit owner Y. Michele Kang, who also raised the trophy with Lyon.[21] On May 16, Olympique Lyon holding company OL Groupe and Kang announced the formation of a separate entity that would be composed of the Spirit and Olympique Lyon Féminin. OL Groupe would retain a 48% stake in the resulting new entity, and Kang would become the club's majority owner and CEO, pending regulatory approval.[22][23][24][25]

June[edit]

The Spirit opened June with a 1–1 draw at home against Racing Louisville FC, scoring through Trinity Rodman in the 3rd minute. Louisville equalized on a 51st-minute penalty kick by Savannah DeMelo, then lost Elli Pikkujämsä to a straight red card in the 77th minute. Despite the advantage, the Spirit failed to convert again.[26]

On June 10, the Spirit ended a three-match winless streak by defeating Angel City FC 2–1 at home on goals by Ashley Hatch and Ashley Sanchez, while the defense limited Angel City to one shot on goal in the second half. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury suffered a head injury in the 90th minute and was substituted out for backup Nicole Barnhart.[27]

On June 14, the Spirit lost to North Carolina Courage 2–1 at home in a Challenge Cup match, conceding the losing goal in second-half stoppage time. The team played without starters Hatch, Rodman, Sanchez, and Andi Sullivan, while Kingsbury remained out while recovering from the head injury sustained against Angel City.[28] Barnhart was team captain for the match, making her 151st appearance across competitions and passing Ashley Harris for second-most appearances by a goalkeeper in league history. Her start alongside 16-year-old Chloe Ricketts resulted in the largest age gap between starting players in a league match, at 25 years, 7 months, and 13 days. Riley Tanner also made her first career start for the Spirit in the match.[29]

On June 18, the Spirit rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Kansas City Current 3–2 on the road. The first concession was by Michelle Cooper 22 seconds into the match, setting a new league record for the fastest goal scored in a match, followed by a second goal conceded in the 23rd minute by Debinha on a penalty kick called for a Spirit handball foul in the penalty area. The Spirit's rally began with a Sanchez goal in the 37th minute, a Metayer equalizer in the 82nd minute, and an 88th-minute match winner by Tara McKeown, a defender who played as a forward until the start of the 2023 season.[30]

The Spirit then lost 4–2 on the road to Portland Thorns FC on June 23, conceding a hat-trick to Sophia Smith. The Spirit equalized twice, through Hatch in the 13th minute and Sanchez in the 46th minute.[31]

On June 30, the Spirit signed French forward Ouleymata Sarr, whose contract with Paris FC had expired, to a three-year contract.[32]

World Cup period[edit]

See also: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Six Spirit players left the team in late June to play for their national teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup:[33]

On June 28, the Spririt signed Mariana Speckmaier and Jordan Thompson to cap-exempt short-term national team replacement player contracts allowed by league rules.[34]

In the Spirit's first regular-season match without its World Cup callups on July 1, the team lost 3–0 at home against Orlando Pride. Nicole Barnhart started in goal for Kingsbury,[33] Hatch took on captaincy of the team, Amber Brooks moved into the midfield, and Nicole Douglas and Lena Silano took on starting roles.[35]

On July 6, the Spirit signed French defender Annaïg Butel, formerly of Paris FC, to a two-year contract with an option for an additional year.[36]

Style of play[edit]

The Spirit's 4–4–2 diamond formation as deployed against Racing Louisville FC on June 3[37]

Under newly appointed head coach Mark Parsons, the Spirit deployed a 4–4–2 diamond formation and a fast-paced, direct style of play that relied in the first half of the season on shorter passing sequences than any other team in the NWSL.[38]

Stadium and facilities[edit]

The Spirit continued to play in Audi Field, their full-time home since the team's 2022 season. The Spirit moved its training to a temporary facility shared with Major League Soccer franchise D.C. United at Segra Field.[39] As of 26 March 2023, Spirit ownership continued searching for available land for plans toward a permanent, stand-alone Spirit training facility.[40]

Broadcasting[edit]

On March 30, 2023, Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced a partnership to broadcast nine Spirit road matches on NBC Sports Washington and provide social media coverage of the team.[41]

Team[edit]

Staff[edit]

As of May 12, 2023.[42][43]
Sporting operations staff
General manager
President of soccer operations 		Mark Krikorian
Senior director of soccer operations Nathan Minion
Technical staff
Head coach Mark Parsons
Assistant coach Angela Salem
Assistant coach
Director of player personnel 		Mike Bristol
Player development coach Morinao Imaizumi
Assistant coach
Player development coach 		Mami Yamaguchi
Performance staff
Vice president of performance,
medical, and innovation 		Dawn Scott
Athletic trainer Alessandro Ciarla
Athletic trainer Rylee Learn

Players[edit]

As of July 6, 2023.[44]
First-team roster
No. Pos. Nation Name Birthday (age) Since Previous team Notes
1 GK United States USA Aubrey Kingsbury (1991-11-20)November 20, 1991 (aged 31) 2018 United States Orlando Pride
18 GK United States USA Lyza Bosselmann (2001-07-27)July 27, 2001 (aged 21) 2023 United States Gonzaga
28 GK United States USA Nicole Barnhart (1981-10-10)October 10, 1981 (aged 41) 2022 United States Kansas City Current
3 DF United States USA Sam Staab (1997-03-28)March 28, 1997 (aged 25) 2019 United States Clemson
5 DF France FRA Anaïg Butel (1992-02-15)February 15, 1992 (aged 31) 2023 France Paris FC INT[a]
9 DF United States USA Tara McKeown (1999-07-02)July 2, 1999 (aged 23) 2021 United States University of Southern California
14 DF Canada CAN Gabrielle Carle (1998-10-12)October 12, 1998 (aged 24) 2022 Sweden Kristianstads DFF INT[a]
16 DF United States USA Maddie Elwell (1999-08-01)August 1, 1999 (aged 23) 2023 United States Vanderbilt
19 DF United States USA Dorian Bailey (1997-01-28)January 28, 1997 (aged 26) 2019 United States University of North Carolina
21 DF United States USA Anna Heilferty (1999-04-17)April 17, 1999 (aged 23) 2021 United States Boston University SEI[b][45]
22 DF United States USA Amber Brooks (1991-01-23)January 23, 1991 (aged 32) 2022 United States OL Reign
30 DF United States USA Camryn Biegalski (1998-08-11)August 11, 1998 (aged 24) 2021 United States Chicago Red Stars
37 DF United States USA Jordan Thompson 2023 United States Gonzaga Bulldogs NTR[c]
7 MF France FRA Inès Jaurena (1991-05-14)May 14, 1991 (aged 31) 2023 France Olympique Lyon INT[a]
10 MF United States USA Ashley Sanchez (1999-03-16)March 16, 1999 (aged 24) 2020 United States University of California, Los Angeles
12 MF United States USA Andi Sullivan (1995-12-20)December 20, 1995 (aged 27) 2018 United States Stanford
13 MF United States USA Bayley Feist (1997-03-14)March 14, 1997 (aged 26) 2019 United States Wake Forest D45[d]
17 MF England ENG Nicole Douglas (2000-07-31)July 31, 2000 (aged 22) 2023 United States Arizona State INT[a]
23 MF United States USA Tori Huster (1989-09-23)September 23, 1989 (aged 33) 2013 United States Western New York Flash SEI[b]
25 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Marissa Sheva (1997-04-22)April 22, 1997 (aged 25) 2022 United States Utah Royals FC
26 MF United States USA Paige Metayer (2000-09-23)September 23, 2000 (aged 22) 2023 United States University of California
27 MF Panama PAN Riley Tanner (1999-10-15)October 15, 1999 (aged 23) 2023 United States Alabama
39 MF United States USA Chloe Ricketts (2007-05-23)May 23, 2007 (aged 15) 2023 United States AFC Ann Arbor[46] U18[e]
2 FW United States USA Trinity Rodman (2002-05-20)May 20, 2002 (aged 20) 2021 United States Washington State
8 FW France FRA Ouleymata Sarr (1995-10-08)October 8, 1995 (aged 27) 2023 France Paris FC INT[a]
20 FW United States USA Civana Kuhlmann (1999-04-14)April 14, 1999 (aged 23) 2023 United States University of Colorado Boulder
24 FW United States USA Lena Silano (2000-02-28)February 28, 2000 (aged 23) 2023 United States Long Beach State
33 FW United States USA Ashley Hatch (1995-05-25)May 25, 1995 (aged 27) 2018 United States North Carolina Courage
37 FW Venezuela VEN Mariana Speckmaier (1997-12-26)December 26, 1997 (aged 25) 2023 Iceland Valur NTR[c]
  1. ^ a b c d e INT: International player
  2. ^ a b SEI: Season-ending injury list
  3. ^ a b NTR: Short-term National Team Replacement signing
  4. ^ D45: 45-day disabled list
  5. ^ U18: Under-18 signing

Competitions[edit]

NWSL Challenge Cup[edit]

Main article: 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup

Group stage[edit]

April 19, 2023 (2023-04-19) 1 NJ/NY Gotham FC 0–1 Washington Spirit Harrison, New Jersey
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 7,543
Referee: Shawn Tehini
May 10, 2023 (2023-05-10) 2 Washington Spirit 4–2 Orlando Pride Washington, D.C.
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 4,991
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
June 14, 2023 (2023-06-14) 3 Washington Spirit 1–2 North Carolina Courage Washington, D.C.
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 5,778
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
July 22, 2023 (2023-07-22) 4 North Carolina Courage 6–0 Washington Spirit Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 4,063
Referee: Thomas Snyder
July 28, 2023 (2023-07-28) 5 Washington Spirit 4–2 NJ/NY Gotham FC Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 4,732
Referee: Danielle Chesky
August 4, 2023 (2023-08-04) 6 Orlando Pride 0–1 Washington Spirit Orlando, Florida
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 3,661
Referee: Brad Jensen

East Division standings[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NC NJY WAS ORL
1 North Carolina Courage 6 3 2 1 15 5 +10 11 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1 6–0 0–0
2 NJ/NY Gotham FC 6 3 2 1 10 7 +3 11 2–0 — 1–0 1–1
3 Washington Spirit 6 3 0 3 10 13 −3 9 1–2 4–2 — 4–2
4 Orlando Pride 6 0 2 4 5 15 −10 2 1–1 1–3 0–1 —
Source: NWSL

Results by matchday[edit]

Matchday123456
StadiumAHHHAA
ResultLWLLWW
Position323
Updated to match(es) played on June 14, 2023. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Regular season[edit]

Main article: 2023 National Women's Soccer League season

Matches[edit]

March 26, 2023 (2023-03-26) 1 Washington Spirit 1–0 OL Reign Washington, D.C.
4:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 11,281
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
March 25, 2023 (2023-03-25) 2 Racing Louisville FC 2–2 Washington Spirit Louisville, Kentucky
3:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 4,861
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
April 15, 2023 (2023-04-15) 3 North Carolina Courage 1–2 Washington Spirit Cary, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 5,160
Referee: Adorae Monroy
April 22, 2023 (2023-04-22) 4 Washington Spirit 0–0 Houston Dash Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 7,073
Referee: Elton Garcia
April 29, 2023 (2023-04-29) 5 Chicago Red Stars 1–1 Washington Spirit Bridgeview, Illinois
7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5)
Report
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 3,610
Referee: Mathew Corrigan
May 6, 2023 (2023-05-06) 6 Washington Spirit 3–1 San Diego Wave FC Washington, D.C.
1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 12,232
Referee: Matthew Thompson
May 13, 2023 (2023-05-13) 7 Angel City FC 0–1 Washington Spirit Los Angeles, California
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: BMO Stadium
Attendance: 17,427
Referee: JC Griggs
May 20, 2023 (2023-05-20) 8 Orlando Pride 2–1 Washington Spirit Orlando, Florida
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 4,290
Referee: Thomas Snyder
May 28, 2023 (2023-05-28) 9 Washington Spirit 1–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC Washington, D.C.
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 11,545
Referee: Karen Callado
June 3, 2023 (2023-06-03) 10 Washington Spirit 1–1 Racing Louisville FC Washington, D.C.
8:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 8,515
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
June 10, 2023 (2023-06-10) 11 Washington Spirit 2–1 Angel City FC Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
NWSL report
ESPN report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 10,032
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
June 18, 2023 (2023-06-18) 12 Kansas City Current 2–3 Washington Spirit Kansas City, Kansas
6:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5)
Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 9,644
Referee: Natalie Simon
June 23, 2023 (2023-06-23) 13 Portland Thorns FC 4–2 Washington Spirit Portland, Oregon
7:30 p.m. PDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 20,254
Referee: Katja Koroleva
July 1, 2023 (2023-07-01) 14 Washington Spirit 0–3 Orlando Pride Washington, D.C.
8:19 p.m. EDT (UTC-4)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 8,901
Referee: Anya Voigt
Note: Kickoff delayed from 7:00 p.m. by thunderstorms in the area.
July 8, 2023 (2023-07-08) 15 San Diego Wave FC 2–2 Washington Spirit San Diego, California
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Attendance: 14,362
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
August 19, 2023 (2023-08-19) 16 Houston Dash 1–1 Washington Spirit Houston, Texas
7:30 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) Sanchez 90+1' Report Sanchez 63' Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 4,822
Referee: Eric Tattersall
August 27, 2023 (2023-08-27) 17 Washington Spirit 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Washington, D.C.
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) Hatch 90+2' (pen.) Report Weaver 64' Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 13,048
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
September 3, 2023 (2023-09-03) 18 Washington Spirit 0–2 Chicago Red Stars Washington, D.C.
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) Report St. Georges 48' Nagasato 60' Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 10,035
Referee: Brandon Stevis
September 16, 2023 (2023-09-16) 19 NJ/NY Gotham FC 2–0 Washington Spirit Harrison, New Jersey
7:30 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) González 65' González 70' Report Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 6,202
Referee: Adorae Monroy
September 30, 2023 (2023-09-30) 20 Washington Spirit 2–1 Kansas City Current Washington, D.C.
7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) Sarr 19' Rodman 90+1' Report Debinha 21' (pen.) Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 11,607
Referee: Eric Tattersall
October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06) 21 OL Reign 0-0 Washington Spirit Seattle, Washington
7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: Lumen Field
Attendance: 34,130
Referee: Thomas Snyder
October 15, 2023 (2023-10-15) 22 Washington Spirit 0-1 North Carolina Courage Washington, D.C.
5:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) Rodman Red card 23' Report Lussi 25' Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 15,479
Referee: Ricardo Fierro

Regular season standings[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
6 NJ/NY Gotham FC (C) 22 8 7 7 25 24 +1 31 Playoff quarterfinals
7 Orlando Pride 22 10 1 11 27 28 −1 31
8 Washington Spirit 22 7 9 6 26 29 −3 30
9 Racing Louisville FC 22 6 9 7 25 24 +1 27
10 Houston Dash 22 6 8 8 16 18 −2 26
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

Results summary[edit]

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
22 7 9 6 26 29  −3 30 4 4 3 11 12  −1 3 5 3 15 17  −2

Last updated: July 8, 2023.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com

Results by matchday[edit]

Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122
StadiumHAAHAHAAHHHAAHAAHHAHAH
ResultWDWDDWWLDDWWLLDDDLLWDL
Position5325431453214458
Updated to match(es) played on July 9, 2023. Source: NWSL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Statistics[edit]

As of matches played July 8, 2023.[47]
Goalscorers, per competition
Player Goals by competition
Pos. No. Nat. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
FW 33 United States USA Ashley Hatch 8 0 — 8
MF 10 United States USA Ashley Sanchez 4 1 — 5
FW 2 United States USA Trinity Rodman 4 0 — 4
MF 26 United States USA Paige Metayer 3 0 — 3
DF 3 United States USA Sam Staab 1 1 — 2
DF 9 United States USA Tara McKeown 1 1 — 2
MF 25 Republic of Ireland IRL Marissa Sheva 0 1 — 1
FW 24 United States USA Lena Silano 0 1 — 1
Own goals 1 0 — 0
Total 22 5 — 27
Assists by player, per competition
Player Assists by competition
Pos. No. Nat. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
DF 19 United States USA Dorian Bailey 3 0 — 3
FW 33 United States USA Ashley Hatch 3 0 — 3
FW 2 United States USA Trinity Rodman 2 0 — 2
FW 24 United States USA Lena Silano 1 1 — 2
MF 7 France FRA Inès Jaurena 1 0 — 1
MF 26 United States USA Paige Metayer 1 0 — 1
MF 39 United States USA Chloe Ricketts 0 1 — 1
MF 10 United States USA Ashley Sanchez 1 0 — 1
MF 3 United States USA Sam Staab 1 0 — 1
MF 27 Panama PAN Riley Tanner 0 1 — 1
Total 13 3 — 16
Clean sheets by goalkeeper, per competition
Player Clean sheets by competition
Pos. No. Nat. Name NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
GK 1 United States USA Aubrey Kingsbury 3 0 — 3
Total 3 0 — 3
Disciplinary cards by player, per competition
Player NWSL Cup Playoffs Total
Pos. No. Nat. Name Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card Yellow card Red card
FW 33 United States USA Ashley Hatch 3 0 1 0 — 4 0
DF 9 United States USA Tara McKeown 3 0 0 0 — 3 0
MF 26 United States USA Paige Metayer 2 1 0 0 — 2 1
MF 12 United States USA Andi Sullivan 3 0 0 0 — 3 0
DF 14 Canada CAN Gabrielle Carle 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
MF 7 France FRA Inès Jaurena 1 0 1 0 — 2 0
FW 2 United States USA Trinity Rodman 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
DF 3 United States USA Sam Staab 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
DF 19 United States USA Dorian Bailey 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
DF 30 United States USA Camryn Biegalski 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
DF 22 United States USA Amber Brooks 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
MF 39 United States USA Chloe Ricketts 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
MF 25 Republic of Ireland IRL Marissa Sheva 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
MF 10 United States USA Ashley Sanchez 0 0 1 0 — 1 0
Total[a] 22 1 4 0 — 26 1
  1. ^ Does not include three yellow cards issued to manager Mark Parsons.

Awards[edit]

NWSL monthly awards[edit]

Best XI of the Month
Month Pos. Nat. Player Ref.
March/
April 		DF United States USA Sam Staab [48]
May DF United States USA Sam Staab (2) [49]
Rookie of the Month
Month Pos. Rookie of the Month Statline Ref.
June
MF
 United States USA Paige Metayer 1 goal, 1 assist; tied for league scoring lead among rookies (3) [50]

NWSL weekly awards[edit]

As of June 29, 2023
Wk. Pos. Nat. Player Won Ref.
6
FW
 United States USA Ashley Hatch Nom. [51]
10
FW
 United States USA Trinity Rodman Nom. [52]
11
FW
 United States USA Ashley Sanchez Nom. [53]
12
DF
 United States USA Tara McKeown Won [54]
Wk. Pos. Nat. Player Won Ref.
4
GK
 United States USA Aubrey Kingsbury Nom. [55]

Transactions[edit]

Draft selections[edit]

Draft selections are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2023 NWSL Draft was held on January 12, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

2023 NWSL Draft selections, by round
Round Pick Pos. Nat. Player College Status Ref.
3 26
FW
 England ENG Nicole Douglas Arizona State Signed to a two-year contract and rostered as a midfielder. [56]
28
GK
 United States USA Lyza Bosselmann Gonzaga Signed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. [56]
30
FW
 Panama PAN Riley Tanner Alabama Signed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year and rostered as a midfielder. [56]
34
FW
 United States USA Lena Silano Long Beach State Signed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. [56]
4 37
FW
 United States USA Civana Kuhlmann Colorado Signed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. [56]
40
DF
 United States USA Delaney Graham Duke Not signed; recovering from surgery. [56]

Contracts[edit]

Contract expirations
Date Pos. Nat. Player Notes Ref.
November 15, 2022
MF
 United States USA Taylor Aylmer Contract option declined. [57]
DF
 United States USA Alia Martin
DF
 United States USA Averie Collins Contract expired.
GK
 Canada CAN Devon Kerr [57][58]
DF
 Mexico MEX Karina Rodríguez [57][59]
FW
 United States USA Audrey Harding [60]
Contract re-signings
Date Pos. Nat. Player Notes Ref.
November 15, 2022
DF
 United States USA Sam Staab Contract option exercised. [57]
MF
 United States USA Jordan Baggett
MF
 United States USA Dorian Bailey
MF
 United States USA Bayley Feist
MF
 United States USA Anna Heilferty
FW
 United States USA Maddie Elwell
FW
 United States USA Tara McKeown
November 30, 2022
MF
 Republic of Ireland IRL Marissa Sheva Re-signed to a one-year contract. [61][62]
December 8, 2022
MF
 United States USA Tori Huster Re-signed to a one-year contract. [63]
December 12, 2022
DF
 Canada CAN Gabrielle Carle Re-signed to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. [61][64]
December 13, 2022
DF
 United States USA Camryn Biegalski Re-signed to a one-year contract. [61][65]
December 19, 2022
DF
 United States USA Amber Brooks Free agent re-signed to a one-year contract. [61][66]
December 22, 2022
GK
 United States USA Nicole Barnhart Free agent re-signed to a one-year contract. [61][67]
January 16, 2023
DF
 United States USA Sam Staab Signed to a new three-year contract, replacing her previous contract. [68]
January 17, 2023
DF
 United States USA Anna Heilferty Signed to a new two-year contract with a team option for an additional year, replacing her previous contract. [69]
January 18, 2023
MF
 United States USA Jordan Baggett Signed to a new two-year contract, replacing her previous contract. [61][70]
January 19, 2023
DF
 United States USA Tara McKeown Re-signed to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. [61][71]
January 30, 2023
GK
 United States USA Aubrey Kingsbury Signed to a new three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. [61][72]
February 17, 2023
DF
 United States USA Dorian Bailey Signed to a new three-year contract, replacing her existing contract expiring after the 2023 season. [73]
June 20, 2023
DF
 Canada CAN Gabrielle Carle Signed a new three-year contract with an option for an additional year, modifying her existing contract signed in 2022. [74]
FW
 United States USA Ashley Hatch Contract option for 2024 exercised. [75]
MF
 United States USA Andi Sullivan Signed a new three-year contract with an option for an additional year, replacing her previous contract expiring in 2023. [76]

Transfers[edit]

Transfers in
Date Pos. Nat. Player Former club Fee/notes Ref.
February 7, 2023
MF
 France FRA Inès Jaurena France Olympique Lyon Signed a one-year contract as a free agent. [61][7][8]
March 3, 2023
MF
 United States USA Chloe Ricketts United States AFC Ann Arbor Signed a three-year contract as an under-18 player, with an option for a fourth year. [61][9]
June 28, 2023
FW
 Venezuela VEN Mariana Speckmaier Iceland Valur Signed a short-term national team replacement contract. [34]
DF
 United States USA Jordan Thompson United States Gonzaga Bulldogs
June 30, 2023
FW
 France FRA Ouleymata Sarr France Paris FC Signed a three-year contract as a free transfer. [32]
July 5, 2023
DF
 France FRA Annaïg Butel France Paris FC Free transfer; Signed a two-year contract through 2024 with an option for an additional year. [36][77]
Transfers out
Date Pos. Nat. Player Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
April 25, 2023
MF
 United States USA Jordan Baggett United States Racing Louisville FC Traded in exchange for a second-round pick and conditional third-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft. [61][78]

Retirements[edit]

Player retirements
Date Pos. Nat. Player Ref.
November 2022
MF
 United States USA Gaby Vincent [79]

References[edit]

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  69. ^ "Washington Spirit Signs Defender Anna Heilferty to New Contract" (Press release). Washington Spirit. January 17, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
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  73. ^ "Washington Spirit Signs Midfielder Dorian Bailey to New Contract" (Press release). Washington Spirit. February 16, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
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  75. ^ "Washington Spirit Exercises Option on Forward Ashley Hatch's Contract" (Press release). Washington Spirit. June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
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