It is an exciting time to be in the Washington D.C. area and someone following the Washington Spirit team.
A team that somehow broke the way through predications and expectations of many to be the second seed in the NWSL standings and having an opportunity to host at Audi Field against Bay FC.
Coming into the fresh slate the Spirit ended regular season on the best note possible in defeating the North Carolina Courage by a score of 1-0
During the team’s media session held on Zoom on Saturday afternoon Head Coach Jonatan Giraldez shared his thoughts on that victory, especially considering how tough of a team North Carolina is, “We are very different with and without possession, The last game against North Carolina was difficult they are an amazing team and we did an amazing job when it came time to executing our game plan.” Coach continued by saying, “We are very confident right now. They (his team) changed a ton as well (Bay FC) they are less predictable now versus the last time we played them. Bay FC have a ton more options now and we have got to analyze and try to compete against that.”
That is going to be the exciting thing about all the NWSL teams as they enter into the Playoff format this weekend is the fact that they have all grown and been able to obtain a ton of experiences during the course of the 2024 season.
Forward Brittany Ratcliffe having played a huge role of the success of the franchise, reflected on the playoffs with the media during the team’s zoom session as well as on how the team changed during the year.
“There are nuances that the team is working on and are improving upon. Keeping the ball when it comes time for our overall possession and moving from each other. The other thing that we worked on is being more organized,” When it comes time to the overall style of play Brittany feels as if, “We are doing the things that are making us unique, and there is always room to improve…just looking and focusing on the details. “
When it comes time for the playoffs the forward had this to say, “It is a new game-things are a clean slate..all that matters is gameday .” As for being able to play at Audi Field Ratcliffe shared these thoughts,
“It is exciting to be at home in front of the fans and show what we got. Bay is a great team and it’ll be a great game, and we are looking forward to playing our game.”
Throughout the 2024 Season the Spirit played well when it came time for playing in front of the Audi Field Crowd and had one of the best years in terms of being able to draw in fans to watch them play and this weekend is going to be no different, as fans are going to be packed in to see if the ladies can somehow repeat the form that they had during the 2021 season.
One of the biggest keys though is being able to continue to play the brand and quality of style that the Spirit are bringing thus far and that is something that both Ratcliffe and Coach Giraldez agreed upon.
“For the most part we’ve done a great job of doing what we need to do and play our game, Brittany said when it came time for how the team played throughout the year. “We always showed up and we do what we got to do. Bay as well as the rest of the NWSL teams are super competitive, and all that matters is we do what we got to do on Sunday.”
What the Spirit are doing thus far is bringing a unique blend of tremendous defense as well as depth when it comes time for scoring on the roster.
Leading the way in scoring is Trinity Rodman, as she is taking center stage more and more and becoming a megastar in the sport. Rodman having 23 points on eight goals is followed by Ouleymata Sarr.
The scoring doesn’t stop there as Ashley Hatch, Croix Bethune, Makenna Morris along with Ratcliffe can all find the back of the cage.
Overall, as a team the Spirit was able to break records for wins (18), points 56, goals 51 and goal differential +23).
The team also have some players ranked in the NWSL as Tara McKeown is ranked fourth in total passes with 1625.
As for the defense well the Spirt got themselves a great squad defensively as the team defensive net stats are g+96 which is 0.07 and that is tied for third among NWSL defenders.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury is ranked fifth in the NWSL in shutouts with her 7 in 26 games played.
Excitement and nerves are starting to build as it is only one more day till the Spirit and Bay FC clash in the NWSL Playoffs. The game set to be played on November 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Audi Field.
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