r/washingtonspirit

As always, quotes and some pitch-side pics from Friday in here.

Highlights:

• Trinity Rodman realized that the broadcast did catch her reaction to the winning goal: "I’m realizing what I was saying a lot now." Andi Sullivan was sitting next to her in the presser and asked what she said, and Rodman pantomimed a hand up to cover her mouth, leaned in towards Sullivan and whispered, “I was just like, what the—”
• Sullivan said there was no chance she was taking that penalty kick and the team knew immediately that it would be Rose Kouassi: "A penalty is a set piece we prepare for, so I knew who was taking the penalty, and the whole team knows who is taking the penalty. And we know if that person’s not on the field, we know who the next person in line is."
• Sullivan also had an adorable source of inspiration ahead of her first start since her return: the kid mascot who walked out with her: "She was so happy that she was just, kind of, laughing just to be out there, and I feel like that moment made me feel like, that this was all kind of, it just felt really natural and happy and blissful, and it’s also a good reminder of the perspective that was needed. So I think she really helped me kind of get into that space for this game.”
• Leicy Santos answered the bulk of her postgame Q's in English for the first time and said, that despite a bit of a language barrier, she and Trin have a natural connection like on the first Spirit goal: "I know when I have the ball, I’ll try to find her. It’s just contact, visual, and she makes it magic.”
• Hal Hershfelt on yet another clutch late-game goal at Audi: "Obviously, we don’t want to let it go down to the wire like that again, but I think it pumps us up that we can kind of take control of any situation if we put our minds to it."

Also inside: bubbles in the Spirit Squadron, Hal gets some mail from a young fan, and Sofia Cantore's game face (hint: it's happier than you think!)

Haley Carter mentioned that they made 3 new signings during the summer break. Any thoughts or ideas who they could be? 👀

I have only started heavy following the team in the last 2 years as my daughter has become way more involved in soccer. I am just wondering if we have a bunch of younger ladies on the squad why don't we see them get min? Like Ramos, Skurcenski, Haugen, more of Bolt etc. How are they supposed to develop if the only time they get is practice? Is that normal for the NWSL as a whole with back up players?

How did people feel about the heat management last night?

I was a bit disappointed. We arrived near kickoff to avoid sitting out too long. Walking half the stadium from the gate to our seats, we didn't see any extra equipment - cooling stations, water monsters, etc. There was a long line to use the two water fountains to re -wet cooling towels.

Didn't take away from our enjoyment of the game, but I was expecting more.

This is a thread for all post-match reactions, thoughts, analysis, articles and social media posts related to the match.

Note: This thread is scheduled and may appear shortly before the final whistle so everyone has a place ready for post-match reactions and analysis.

I am still in awe over Lift Every Voice being performed, the national anthem, and that amazing half time show. I was going crazy and didn’t get videos - anyone have them so I can relive over and over?

Just curious if anyone caught the water taxi after the game that thr Spirit advertised this week. I tried to but after waiting over an hour after the final whistle it hadn't showed up and there was no one from the company at the dock to give updates so I left. Did it end up appearing?

The spirit squadron has decided not to do the outside of the stadium March tonight for safety reasons. HOWEVER we will still do the inside the stadium March around the concourse of the stadium, so come join us, we will be gathering around 45 minutes before kick-off. Near gate A

Pass it on

The heat related changes:

💦 KEEPING COOL: fans are encouraged to take advantage of the following options to keep cool:

Water monsters with free water will be available near Spiritville for fans to use.

Cooling fans will be added throughout the stadium at all gates and Spiritville. Fans can also bring personal neck or handheld fans to keep cool. Fans can bring personal cooling towels that can be refreshed with cold water available at the stadium.

🎒 REVIEW THE BAGGAGE POLICY: Bags must be smaller than 14″ by 14″ by 6″, and no backpacks, coolers, or luggage are allowed. With the heat advisory, allowed items have been adjusted to include one factory-sealed 20oz water bottle per fan. This does not include hard-sided plastic or metal reusable water bottles.

Review Audi’s Field Guide for information on restricted items. Fans with medical needs or diaper bags should email Audi Field’s Guest Experience and use Gate B to expedite entry.

🥁 MARCH TO THE MATCH: Due to the heat advisory, fans interested in marching to the match should meet supporters inside of Gate A starting at 7:15 PM before taking off to march around the concourse at 7:25 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EVAhdYhmw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hi all. Can someone share the club menu for Friday? Thinking about getting tickets for the ac feature but if it’s a miss on the menu I could think twice lol. Thank you so much!

Side note… desperately checking and refreshing feeds for any news. I am sick with worry 🫢

We picked up Bolt's option for 2027 and signed Haugen through the end of the season. Carter said at her press conference today that we've also made three signings this window--from the context it sounded likely to be younger players.

What do we think- Postponed? Cancelled? Heat delay?

Welcome to this week’s open discussion thread!

This is your space for general discussion, a place to talk about anything Washington Spirit that doesn’t necessarily need its own thread. That can include news, international duty, roster moves, transfer rumors, tactics, social media posts, league news or anything else on your mind.

If something feels big enough for its own thread, definitely still post it. This is simply an additional option to keep us organized and help keep the conversation flowing. These threads will go up every Monday and stay stickied throughout the week.

Go Spirit!