History of Washington Spirit in Timeline

The Washington Spirit is a professional women's soccer team based in Washington, D.C., competing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Originating from D.C. United Women of the W-League, the Spirit maintains a presence in women's soccer at multiple levels, also fielding an amateur team in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and a youth team, all under the Spirit banner.

November 21, 2012: NWSL foundation announcement

On November 21, 2012, the foundation of the National Women's Soccer League was announced, with Washington selected as one of the eight host cities for a team in the inaugural season.

December 2012: Team name announced

In December 2012, the team's name was announced as the Washington Spirit. Also, D.C. United Women head coach Mike Jorden was kept on as well as assistant coach Cindi Harkes.

January 11, 2013: NWSL Player Allocation

On January 11, 2013, as part of the NWSL player allocation, seven players were named to the Washington Spirit team: Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Lori Lindsey, Robyn Gayle, Diana Matheson, Alina Garciamendez, and Teresa Worbis.

January 2013: New Colors and Badge Unveiled

In January 2013, the team unveiled its new colors and badge, designed to resemble a torch and containing elements representing the players and fans.

February 7, 2013: NWSL Supplemental Draft selections

During the February 7, 2013 NWSL Supplemental Draft, the Washington Spirit selected Stephanie Ochs, Tori Huster, Jordan Angeli, Natasha Kai, Megan Mischler and Heather Cooke.

April 14, 2013: First Competitive Match

On April 14, 2013, the Washington Spirit played their first competitive match, drawing 1–1 with the Boston Breakers. Tiffany McCarty scored the team's first goal, assisted by Stephanie Ochs.

2013: Home at Maryland SoccerPlex

Beginning with the inaugural 2013 season, the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland, was home to the Washington Spirit. The facility also hosted the Washington Spirit Reserves in the WPSL.

2013: NWSL Launch

In 2013, Bill Lynch, the original Washington Spirit's owner sold the majority of the team to tech executive Steve Baldwin.

2014: First NWSL Playoff Appearance

In 2014, the Washington Spirit improved significantly and made key acquisitions, including Jodie Taylor and Christine Nairn, who became the team's top scorers. The Spirit finished 4th and made their first NWSL Playoff appearance, losing to Seattle Reign.

2015: Crystal Dunn wins Golden Boot Award

In 2015, the Washington Spirit finished with an 8–6–6 record and repeated their 4th place league position, losing in the semifinals to Seattle. Crystal Dunn was awarded the 2015 NWSL Golden Boot Award for scoring 15 goals. Mark Parsons stepped down as head coach to coach Portland Thorns FC.

2016: Key Departures After Runners-Up Finish

In 2016, after finishing as runners-up, the Washington Spirit saw key departures including Ali Krieger, Christine Nairn, Diana Matheson, and Crystal Dunn.

2016: Most Successful Season to Date

In 2016, the Washington Spirit hired Jim Gabarra as head coach and had their most successful season, leading the league standings for most of the season but finishing as runners-up. They earned their first post-season victory against the Chicago Red Stars but lost the 2016 NWSL Final in penalties to Western New York Flash.

2016: Playoff Game Broadcast on Fox Sports 1

In 2016, the Washington Spirit's NWSL Playoff game against the Chicago Red Stars was broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and was available for streaming on Fox Sports Go.

April 2017: Go90 Streaming

In April 2017, Washington Spirit games began being streamed exclusively on Go90 for American audiences and on the NWSL website for international viewers.

August 19, 2017: Nationally Televised Game

On August 19, 2017, the Washington Spirit were featured in a nationally televised Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week broadcast.

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2017: Struggles and Mallory Pugh's Arrival

In 2017, the Washington Spirit struggled to compete, finishing last for the first time since the inaugural season. However, they recruited Mallory Pugh mid-season, who led the team in scoring with 6 goals.

2018: Coaching Change and Audi Field Debut

In 2018, the Washington Spirit continued to struggle. On August 21, Jim Gabarra was fired as head coach and Tom Torres was appointed as interim head coach. The Spirit debuted at Audi Field on August 25 against Portland Thorns FC, setting a new club record for home attendance with 7,976 fans.

2018: Steve Baldwin Becomes Majority Owner

In late 2018, Bill Lynch sold the majority of the Washington Spirit to tech executive Steve Baldwin.

2018: Home Matches at Audi Field

Starting in 2018, the Washington Spirit began coordinating with D.C. United to play home matches at Audi Field in Washington D.C. The first match was played on August 25 against the Portland Thorns FC and registered the team's highest attended game.

November 12, 2019: Home Games Split Between Three Stadiums

On November 12, 2019, the Washington Spirit announced an agreement with D.C. United to split the team's home games between three stadiums: the Maryland SoccerPlex, Audi Field, and Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia, with four games at each for the 2020 season.

2019: Broadcast Partnership

At the beginning of the 2019 season, the Washington Spirit announced a broadcast partnership with NBC Sports Washington and Monumental Sports Network.

2019: Two Home Matches at Audi Field

During the 2019 season, the Washington Spirit announced it would host two home matches at Audi Field.

2019: Planned Improvements and New Players

In 2019, owner Steve Baldwin outlined planned improvements including theme nights, a gear store, and a mascot. Fifteen new players were added to the roster, including Chloe Logarzo and Amy Harrison. The Spirit surpassed their previous season's point total and ultimately finished 5th in the NWSL standings.

December 2020: Kang joins ownership group

In December 2020, Michele Kang joined the Washington Spirit's ownership group. Since March 30, 2022, she has been the Spirit's majority and managing owner.

2020: Home Matches at Segra Field

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Washington Spirit played two home matches at Segra Field in 2020.

2020: NWSL Broadcast Consolidation

In 2020, broadcast rights for NWSL matches were consolidated at the league level. Washington Spirit matches were broadcast on CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, and Twitch.

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February 2021: Investment Group Invests in Team

In February 2021, it was reported that Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager, Dominique Dawes, and Brianna Scurry were part of an investment group investing in the Washington Spirit.

May 2021: Minority Investors Added

In May 2021, Alexander Ovechkin and other minority investors, including Jenna Bush Hager, Chelsea Clinton, and Dominique Dawes, joined the Washington Spirit ownership group.

September 2021: Burke Fired Amid Harassment Allegations

In September 2021, Burke was fired as head coach of the Washington Spirit following an investigation into allegations of harassment and abusive behavior toward players.

October 14, 2021: Baldwin Announces Intention to Sell Club

On October 14, 2021, Steve Baldwin announced to club investors that he intended to sell the Washington Spirit.

November 20, 2021: NWSL Championship Win

On November 20, 2021, the Washington Spirit won their first NWSL Championship, defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2–1 in extra time at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.

December 20, 2021: Kris Ward named permanent head coach

On December 20, 2021, interim head coach Kris Ward was announced as the Washington Spirit's permanent head coach.

2021: Home Matches Split Between Audi Field and Segra Field

Beginning in 2021, the Washington Spirit split all home matches between Audi Field and Segra Field, while planning to hold at least one preseason game a year at the SoccerPlex after 2020.

2021: International Streaming

In 2021, international streaming of Washington Spirit matches began via geolocked feeds on Twitch.

August 22, 2022: Ward Fired

On August 22, 2022, the Washington Spirit fired head coach Kris Ward. Assistant coach Angela Salem managed the next game, and Albertin Montoya was hired as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

November 21, 2022: Mark Parsons Returns as Head Coach

On November 21, 2022, the Washington Spirit announced that Mark Parsons would return as the club's head coach. Parsons previously served in the role from 2013 through 2015.

December 6, 2022: Full-Time Tenant at Audi Field

On December 6, 2022, the Washington Spirit announced a deal with D.C. United to become a full-time tenant at Audi Field, playing its full home schedules at the venue starting with the 2023 season. Additionally, the team relocated its training facilities to United Performance Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

March 2023: New Chrome Crest and Colors

In March 2023, the team unveiled a new chrome crest and new colors of black and white for the season, as part of a rebrand in progress.

May 16, 2023: Formation of New Entity with Olympique Lyonnais

On May 16, 2023, Michele Kang and OL Groupe announced the formation of a new entity composed of the Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. OL Groupe would retain a 48% stake, and Kang would become the majority owner and CEO, pending approval. OL Groupe would sell its NWSL club, OL Reign, to avoid conflicts of interest.

October 17, 2023: Mark Parsons Relieved of Coaching Duties

On October 17, 2023, Mark Parsons was relieved of his duties as the Washington Spirit's head coach after one season. The decision came two days after the team's final defeat against the North Carolina Courage.

2023: Partnership with Monumental Sports Network

Starting in 2023, the Washington Spirit partnered with Monumental Sports Network to broadcast select matches, reviving the partnership from 2019, with nine matches broadcast in 2023.

2023: Full Home Schedules at Audi Field

Starting with the 2023 season, the Washington Spirit began playing its full home schedules at Audi Field, becoming a full-time tenant.

January 9, 2024: Jonatan Giráldez Costas hired as new head coach

On January 9, 2024, the Washington Spirit announced the hiring of Jonatan Giráldez Costas from FC Barcelona Femeni as their new head coach.

2024: Tara McKeown named Defender of the Year Contender

In 2024, Tara McKeown being named a NWSL Defender of the Year contender, signing a highly regarded head coach in Jonatan Giráldez, drafting NWSL Midfielder and Rookie of the Year in Croix Bethune, and the Spirit making a run to the NWSL Championship before losing to Orlando Pride in the final match, were some of the successes of the Spirit's season.

2024: MSN Broadcasts

In 2024, ten Washington Spirit matches were broadcast on Monumental Sports Network.

2024: New Broadcast Agreements

Leading up to the 2024 season, the NWSL negotiated a series of four-year domestic agreements with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports to broadcast most league games. The remaining matches will be available on NWSL+.

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February 2025: Krikorian's contract expired

In February 2025, Mark Krikorian's contract expired as the general manager and president of soccer operations for the Washington Spirit.

March 24, 2025: Mark Krikorian Stepping Down

On March 24, 2025, the Washington Spirit announced that Mark Krikorian, general manager and president of soccer operations, was stepping down after his contract expired in February 2025.

June 2, 2025: Jonatan Giráldez to become head coach of OL Lyonnes

On June 2, 2025, the Washington Spirit announced that Jonatan Giráldez would become the head coach of OL Lyonnes for the 2025-26 Première Ligue season. Assistant coach Adrián González will take over as head coach of the Spirit.

2025: MSN Broadcasts and Postgame Shows

In 2025, five Washington Spirit matches are being broadcast on Monumental Sports Network, supplemented with dedicated postgame shows following each match.