With the Washington Spirit getting closer and closer to the start of the 2025 NWSL Season, and the Challenge Cup match that is to be played there is excitment and anticipation that is starting to build.
The 2025 Season for the Spirit is going to be starting on the most exciting note possible as the ladies clash against the Orlando Pride in Florida in March, in a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship match.
As the ladies continue to train in Florida, the team and the media all gathered on Zoom for the latest instillation of the updates on the squad.
In the latest edition of the Washington Spirit Zoom session forward Brittany Ratcliffe along with midfielder Courtney Brown interacted with members of the media.
Both Ratcliffe and Brown are in the second season with the Spirit and have themselves an opportunity to make even more of an impact with the ladies winning a championship in the Washington D.C. Area.
When it comes time for Ratcliffe, the forward coming to the DMV Area after spending time with the North Carolina Courage, appeared in 23 regular season matches with the Spirit, while tallying three goals as a sub in the first seven matches of the season.
Brittany reflected on her move from the Courage to the Spirit during the media avaiability and had this to say, “I haven’t thought about things-I feel as if I am a part of the team for a while and that is a great thing. It was my choice to come to the Spiirt. It is closer to home. To see what Michele (Kang) and the Spirit are doing is something I wanted to be a part of. It is a new season. I am happy with my decision. What we do with the sport is enjoyable. It is everything a professional athlete would want. I am happy, it is great. It is great to know everyone and it is overall a great experience.”
When it comes time for going up against Orlando in the rematch of the Championship match both Ratcliffe and Brown reflected on that and had this to say, “It is a new year for us-new team for both-fresh start when it comes time for the start of the NWSL Season. One of the things that we are going to worry about is us and Working on the things we need to work on,” Ratcliffe said. “It is a great opprotunity to play against a great opponent.”
Brown had this to say, “It is nice to get another shot at Orlando, we are training well and hard and we are going to start the season on a positive note.”
Brown hoping to add on to an impressive 2024 campaign in where she appeared in 24 regular season matches, while starting in 10 of those and also logging 942 minutes played. One of the more memorable moments for Courtney came when she scored the game-winning goal against Gotham FC on June 23, which was the first professional goal.
Thus far the team’s training and bonding in Tampa is going well and they are only days away until they return to Washington D.C. where they continue to prepare for that first match in Orlando.
For more information on the Washington Spirit fans are encouraged to click on the link seen below: