Welcome to the ShePlays 2023/2024 Washington Spirit Off-Season Tracker! Here you’ll find all off-season updates for the Washington Spirit, from players to coaching staff.
The Washington Spirit made a shocking announcement less than 48 hours into the off-season that Head Coach Mark Parsons would not be returning in 2024. In Parson’s first season in DC, he made significant roster and positional changes to fit his vision and expectations for the team, however, the team finished 8th on the season, going 7-9-6, missing the playoffs with a final day “win and in” loss. The Spirit have yet to name a head coach as they move into the off-season and navigate an expansion draft.
On November 20, the Spirit announced their off-season roster update.
18 players remain under contract with the Spirit, after Nicole Douglas, Maddie Elwell, and Inès Jaurena were waived. Six players who spent the 2023 season with Washington are now free agents.
The Spirit’s free agents are:
- Nicole Barnhart (unrestricted)
- Amber Brooks (unrestricted)
- Bayley Feist (unrestricted)
- Tori Huster (unrestricted)
- Camryn Biegalski (restricted)
- Marissa Sheva (restricted)
Ashley Hatch’s contract option was exercised in June, extending through the end of 2024. The 2025 option on Trinity Rodman’s contract has now been exercised, as have the 2026 options for Aubrey Kingsbury and Andi Sullivan.
The Spirit also note in their roster update that the team still holds the rights to Delaney Graham, selected in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Graham is still eligible to sign with the team should she accept the 2024 preseason camp invitation the Spirit plan to extend.
Current Roster:
- Goalkeepers (2): Lyza Bosselmann, Aubrey Kingsbury
- Defenders (6): Dorian Bailey, Annaïg Butel, Gabrielle Carle, Anna Heilferty, Tara McKeown, Sam Staab
- Midfielders (5): Paige Metayer, Chloe Ricketts, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Riley Tanner
- Forwards (5): Ashley Hatch, Civana Kuhlmann, Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr, Lena Silano
As of November 20, the Washington Spirit do not have protection from the 2024 Expansion Draft.
Assistant Coach Angela Salem was announced to be leaving the club in early December.
December 12, 2023
The Spirit traded for expansion draft protection from both Bay FC and Utah Royals FC.
Dorian Bailey has been traded to Bay FC in exchange for expansion draft protection. Two 2024 draft picks, no. 20 and no. 21, were sent to Utah in exchange for expansion draft protection.
December 20, 2023
Goalkeeper Lyza Bosselmann and midfielder Paige Metayer are announced to have both re-signed with the Spirit on new three-year contracts that will see them in Washington through 2026, with an option for 2027.
December 31, 2023
Free agent Spirit OG and NWSLPA President Tori Huster has announced her retirement.
January 5, 2024
Free agent goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart re-signed with the Spirit through the 2024 season.
January 9, 2024
FC Barcelona Femení’s Jonatan Giráldez Costas has been announced as the new head coach of the Washington Spirit, set to join the team following the conclusion of the FC Barcelona Femení season.
January 10, 2024
Free agent defender Casey Krueger joins the Spirit on a three-year contract.
January 11, 2024
Free agent forward Brittany Ratcliffe joins the Spirit on a three-year contract.
January 12, 2024 – NWSL Draft Day
The Spirit began draft day with two huge trades.
The first saw defender Sam Staab traded to the Chicago Red Stars. The Spirit received the third overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft.
The second saw midfielder Ashley Sanchez traded to the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the fifth overall pick in the NWSL Draft and $250,000 in allocation money.
This gave the Spirit six draft picks:
- No. 3, midfielder Croix Bethune, University of Georgia
- No. 5, midfielder Hal Hershfelt, Clemson University
- No. 7, defender Kate Wiesner, Penn State
- No. 13, midfielder Makenna Morris, Clemson University
- No. 35, forward Anna Podojil, University of Arkansas
- No. 49, midfielder Courtney Brown, University of Utah
January 19, 2024
As of January 19, 2024, the below-named players remain free agents and have not signed with a team.
- Amber Brooks
- Bayley Feist
- Camryn Biegalski
- Marissa Sheva
The Washington Spirit currently have 18 players under contract for the 2024 season. Below is the Washington Spirit roster as it stands:
- Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Lyza Bosselmann, Aubrey Kingsbury
- Defenders (5): Annaïg Butel, Gabrielle Carle, Anna Heilferty, Casey Krueger, Tara McKeown
- Midfielders (4): Paige Metayer, Chloe Ricketts, Andi Sullivan, Riley Tanner
- Forwards (6): Ashley Hatch, Civana Kuhlmann, Brittany Ratcliffe, Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr, Lena Silano
January 23, 2024
Adrián González will join the Spirit as the club’s new assistant coach, announced Tuesday. He will serve as interim head coach until Jona Giráldez joins the club full time at the conclusion of the FC Barcelona Femení season.
It is noted that González will meet up with the team during preseason training in San Diego.
Be sure to check back for updates on trades, free agency signings, and expansion updates!