There is a ton of excitement that surround the Washington Spirit as the team heads into the 2024 season. The Franchise is welcoming new Head Coach Jonatan Giráldez Costas an exciting NWSL 2024 Class and two free agents that are getting fans hyped for what is going to be an action-packed season.
With the Club’s President of Soccer Operations/General Manager Mark Krikorian vision coming together and putting on a style of play that is going to be possession orientated as well as exciting to watch.
Two of the free agents that fans are looking forward to seeing on the pitch is that of Brittany Ratcliffe and Casey Kruger as they are going to be bringing a veteran presence and Championship caliber style of soccer to the Spirit.
Both Ratcliffe and Kruger at one point in their career played for Mark Kirkorian, so they are two that are going to be a big part of bringing the style of soccer he is hoping to have play to fans of women’s soccer everywhere and including the DMV area.
Ratcliffe a native of Williamstown, New Jersey and a University of Virginia graduate has 77 regular season appearances in the NWSL along with 2,967 minutes of playing time and recoding six goals and two assists.
When it came time for joining the Spirit, Ratcliffe known for her signature orange bow, had this to say, “I am From NJ and played in Virginia and the DMV area always has a special place in my heart. Being able to see the team grow is something that drew me to the team. Brittany continued to say, The Spirit is a great organization and thus far I am having a great transition thus far.”
As for Casey Kruger the new Mom is a stellar defender and is looking to help the Spirit in battling most of the NWSL most potent offensive units.
In addition to playing defense Kruger logged 11,214 minutes and scored eight goals (including five game-winners) along with 11 assists. One of the things noticeable about Casey and her resume is the fact that she is named to the multiple Best XI honors and is the first NWSL player to be featured on the Team of the month squad along with her service with the United States Women’s National team.
When it comes time for joining the Spirit both Kruger and Ratcliffe were impressed with the support staff, how invested everyone is to help to optimize the performance of the squad and how kind, welcoming and friendly everyone is thus far.
One of the challenges with the 2024 edition of the Spirit is the fact that they are going to have a ton of new faces and both Brittany and Casey have this to say when it comes time for bringing the team together, “Everyone is trying to learn the tendencies of everyone on the team.” As for the style of play the ladies mentioned that they want to play a style that is exciting and possession oriented and are excited to bring that style of play to the fans in the DMV area.
There is going to be a ton of work and development for the 2024 edition of the Washington Spirit as the team is working towards the home opener happening at Audi Field on Saturday, March 23 against Bay FC with the start time of that match scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Washington Spirit fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here: