Now that we are firmly in postseason and all we have to do is toss out speculation until spring, let’s talk about the coming rebrand. Here’s what I know or have noticed, which admittedly isn’t much. If I’ve missed something here, a data point or such, please post it and I’ll add

— will be a full rebrand

— will include additional colors complimentary to yellow (not just yellow and black anymore, but also seems like yellow won’t be changing)

— no guardrails or parameters have been discussed, meaning potentially it could be everything from the colors to the crest to even the name

— spirit has been systematically discounting and not replacing current year gear like jerseys (I assume to make way for the new stuff)

Anything I’m missing?

Also, what do you want to see done with it? How far should it go? Anything you really want or don’t want to have happen?

Great job Casey at Wembley. I wish I could find video of getting her revenge on Chloe Kelly for that cheap shot on the sideline.

Highest rated player on the day. Best shot on goal. 90' of greatness rolling off a big NWSL playoff.

https://preview.redd.it/gc992dw2g34e1.png?width=688&format=png&auto=webp&s=91e6040d28b2f3b0825d71805e801c773450f6ba

Lily Yohannes was born in Springfield, Virginia (near Washington D.C.) and her family moved to the Netherlands when she was 10 years old. So, she should come back home and play for the Washington Spirit!

Unsurprisingly to all, the EA Sports folks have butchered the NWSL ratings. I am going through and manually adjusting so that the games play more true to life. Worked with another Spirit fan to come up with draft rankings, but would love to hear others thoughts on if we hit the mark here. For reference, I have best players in the NWSL as Banda and Girma both at 90.

What do you think, are these pretty reasonable? Any that you would definitely change? Starting some of the young players slightly on the lower side with the idea they'll almost definitely cement a big increase in ratings with continued excellent play next year.

• GKs: Kingsbury 85, Barnie 70

• Defenders: Krueger 84, McKeown 81, Morgan 81, Butel 77, Carle 76, Metayer 75, Weisner 73

• Mids: Croix 84, Santos 83, Andi 82, Hal 81, Morris 75, Brown 70, Stainbrook 70, Ricketts 62

• Attackers: Rodman 87, Sarr 81, Hatch 79, Kouassi 79, Silano 75, Ratcliffe 74

https://bsky.app/profile/jasondcsoccer.bsky.social/post/3lbxuizvomc2z

A little curious news: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:p4vkkxtrw2tmzxriwpaljerz/post/3lbxgsjhnss2k

None of the newsie folks are really sure why yet or remembers seeing this late an SEI before. Could be some kind of creative accounting to manage money through off-season acquisitions, or some other accounting/contract thing.

A thought I had is that it could be that she was SEI for a couple weeks or more but they were only at 23 rostered players including two NTRPs so they kept her on to stay above minimum?

Most watched NWSL Championship ever with 967,000 average viewers on CBS.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2024/11/26.aspx#:\~:text=The%202024%20NWSL%20Championship%20drew,the%20game%20was%20in%20primetime.

Like many of you, I am still in mourning for the end of an amazing season. But it helps to think about what is to come, so in that spirit (haha)…

What should the Spirit look to do in the offseason, other than get healthy? Any positions we want to upgrade or add depth, and any player targets for that? Free agents we should re-sign or let walk? Our pending FAs are Barnhart, Collins, Butel, Butler, Silano, Heilferty, Hudson, and Kuhlmann.

Roster chart here if you’re curious: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZkWfaYeXH96ErEKFhzhzwoOmyFCHkvLK8yrhyZF-wCY/htmlview#

Have been a season ticket holder in past, was only half season this year due to insane amount of weekend travel. Curious what full membership folks got this year for a gift? Helps me decide on future selections….

Edit: thanks everyone!!!!

Just got back from the fan appreciation event, and to me it seemed like Jona is taking the loss pretty hard. I know he's said before that he hates losing, but his interview made it seem like he felt he failed us. After coming in 8th last season, I don't think anybody expected the amazing run we had this season. I just hope he recognizes how proud of the team we are, and that we owe a lot of that to his tactics! I also hope that he doesn't get too disappointed with future losses, because they are bound to happen.

If you search for Washington Spirit on Nike.com you’ll find a host of Spirit products including the home, change, and goalkeeper jerseys on sale plus 30% off for Black Friday.

These jerseys don’t have the matchday.com or Snickers logos on them whereas the ones bought from the Spirit do. But the Spirit has sold out.

https://youtu.be/amGkIjtKk_M?si=UKqsR57FizRo29N1

Great interview. Just great character players.

Aubrey says routine save and she should have had it.

Esme says it was her fault - should have been tighter on Banda, and more frustrating because they did such a great job as a unit on her all game.

One of the reporters noted that Trinity took the blame for the loss in the mix zone.

Esme says she's never played in front of crowd like they had at Audi.

They were appreciative of the Spirt fans who made it to CPKC.

Esme says she has been really appreciative of how the fans welcomed her, and credits the fans for the late wins this season.

It is less than ten minutes, well worth the time.

So close, yet so far for NWSL runners-up Washington Spirit - ESPN

I don't think the title reflects the article, the way it's written is just "so close."

https://twitter.com/HeySpirits/status/1860811573201170569

If you produce a 70% win probability and reduce your opponent to 7%, you have literally made it 10 times more likely you will win.

Literally the definition of a bad beat... They should be proud of their performance. I sure am...

Does anyone local to the DMV, or anyone willing to ship one, have a yellow SPIRIT trucker hat?? We missed the giveaway (from a game awhile ago) and would love, love, love one or two of these!

Thank you in advance!! (And thank you to the person who posted a similar ask earlier for inspo!)

https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2024/11/23/washington-spirits-record-breaking-season-comes-to-an-end/?utm_campaign=2024_Playoffs&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--VZqIUyHMkVzDBj7_5ci5btvVQUt6n1o7QRO-N8I5iKijHOJCOmeII8B655Yn8HHhlMUJOCvsennphy5WbxHTrdW9ZqTzGQzi5dPIHXouJmu0nrd0&_hsmi=335375784&utm_content=335375784&utm_source=hs_email

Tix free, but required. Not many left.

Having been to almost every home game at Audi this season, and attending tonight's final match - I want to say thank you to the awesome Supporter Section. Those of you who keep the crowd going, and stay energetic every game really deserve a lot of credit. I was so proud to see the Supporter Section tonight at CPKC. THANK YOU! 🖤💛

have such high hopes for this spirit team especially when healthy next season! how will this offseason will be for our roster re: free agency/contracts/protected players?

Due to the yellow card tonight and versus Gotham?