By Luke Bennett, Washington Spirit Media
The Washington Spirit's 2021 season is not what it could hav been. It was so much more.
In a season mired with many off-the-field stories, the Spirit transcended any expectations that outsiders placed on them. They may have even surprised themselves in the process.
Less than a month prior to Sunday's quarterfinal match against the North Carolina Courage, the Spirit were not playoff eligible. As the season concluded one week ago, the Spirit were only three points away from earning a first round bye.
So, how'd the Spirit get here?
It starts with the incredible finale to the regular season—a string of five wins in their last six games. In this stretch, the Spirit not only entered playoff contention, but threatened—and beat—some of the league's best teams along the way.
Excluding a pair of forfeited matches in early September, the Spirit have not lost since August 7 (exactly three months prior to today’s match) to the league-leading Portland Thorns. In those games, the Spirit outscored opponents, 14-5.
Though, to paint the Spirit's success as simply a hot streak of good form would be entirely inaccurate. The Spirit are just now reaping seeds they so long ago sowed.
It started with belief. Despite the doubt, despite the coaching turnover and constant stress, this team believed in itself when many others did not.
“There have been obstacles and challenges every single day this year, so when we are at training and games, I think we have felt like there’s nothing to lose,” Tori Huster said. “I think we have been incredibly fearless and extremely courageous to go on despite all the scandals, the trauma, and all the background noise that comes with it.”
Then came Kris Ward, the wily coaching veteran with over 20 years of coaching experience at every level imaginable, who took over the mantle as interim head coach in August. If you guessed that the Spirit’s back half success coincides with the introduction of Ward as head coach, you would be correct. In matches played since Ward’s promotion to interim head coach, the Spirit have not lost.
Ward took full responsibility for leading the charge into the unknown. And in the same breath players say he is "more hands-off than you might expect," they praise his ability to "empower" and cite his inspirational qualities as a catalyst for the season’s success.
“I think one of the great things about Kris is that he acknowledges what we’ve been through this year, recognizes how good we are, how much potential we have, and he’ll remind us to do it together and be better than yesterday,” Huster said.
But at the end of the day, the Spirit reaped their success by harnessing the power of their truly exceptional roster, beginning with a blend of veteran savvy and youthful vigor. The Spirit have several players born in 1999 or later, including starters Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, and key players Saori Takarada and Anna Heilferty. Adding youth to the experience that the Spirit’s veteran players offer serves well in aiding the Spirit’s performance over a 24-game season.
Huster said that the younger players have “been a bright spot all year.” Adding, “they are fun and carefree, and…they have been great reminders that we are playing a game that we all love and enjoy.”
More importantly, the Spirit players are just flat-out good.
Most recently, four players (Rodman, Aubrey Bledsoe, Sam Staab, and Ashley Hatch) were named to the NWSL October Team of the Month. Hatch, notching a whopping 10 goals, won the NWSL Golden Boot outright and was subsequently named an MVP finalist. Similarly, Bledsoe and Rodman made the cut as end-of-season award finalists for the Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year presented by Ally, respectively.
Not to mention Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett, longtime USWNT members, who anchor the Spirit backline -- arguably one of the best in the league since players returned from international duty. And how about Andi Sullivan, whose success with the Spirit carried over into a breakout international campaign with USWNT over the past two months?
Once you begin placing the pieces together – a perfectly married lineup, All-Star-caliber performers, a trusted coach, and fiery young guns – you start realizing this Spirit squad is exactly where it should be – among the best in the NWSL.
So, as you cheer on your Spirit today, know what it took to get here.
Cheer, recognizing the struggles the Spirit surmounted. Cheer, hoping for the Spirit to advance to a level we all know they are capable of competing at. Cheer, because when we reflect on what this season could’ve been, it was this team that gave us so much more than we could've ever asked of them.
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