Last episode of the season from the @xowngoals.com crew open.spotify.com/episode/0hUO... We'd love to shoutout that there is genuinely nobody covering women's soccer and NWSL the way these 2 gentlemen do.

Rob Gale did an incredible job this season. He’s not the world’s best tactician, but he’s gotten a lot out of that side and didn’t deserve to get canned. Unless the Thorns have a great replacement lined up, I really don’t think this makes a lot of sense.

The NWSL final between the Spirit and Gotham on CBS averaged 1.184 million viewers, making it the first game over the million mark and the most watched game in league history. Up 22 percent from last year’s final, which averaged 967,900. That’s a solid jump.

Sarr and Sylla likely are gone. I assume Nankya gets loaned back out. Narumi very well could become a non-international (working visa holder for three years). Final question is what happens with Bolt? Narumi, Bolt, MacIver, and (gulp) potentially even Santos and/or Bernal on the transfer block.

I say this as both a @washingtonspirit.com fan and as someone working in leadership communications: today's thank-you letter from Michele Kang to Spirit fans is top-notch. I don't know that a post-season email from any sports franchise has ever made me tear up like that.

First, Kang’s letter to my email. Second, Kysha’s farewell post. Third, Rose’s and Gift’s repostings of Kysha’s farewell post with sad emojis. I feel the emotions today. I really do.

After every match this season, usually on a Monday or Tuesday morning, I listen to Hey Spirits and it brings so much joy. This episode is no different. Thanks to these three for such a great team podcast!

Gotham dragged the Spirit into a coin flip of a game and they came up lucky. There really wasn't much else to it, it just depended on who won the finishing luck.

I’m sure the PSxG tells a different story, but this match was much closer than analysts are making it sound. Spirit could not get through Gotham’s box midfield, but Gotham was similarly struggling to get through the Spirit’s 1-4-1 press. If Hal gets subbed for Deb or Narumi then this goes to PKs.

Also, this pass map is why I don’t think playing Cantore as a winger in the NWSL will work if the fullbacks are going to be super cautious. Adrian didn’t have a choice in the playoffs, but regardless of what Trin chooses, adding a player that can receive and win duels in wide areas is paramount.

Love getting to follow the @washingtonspirit.com with you, @jennschneider.bsky.social!

The Spirit’s rest attack - the team’s structure when defending and how it allows them to transition into attack when they win the ball - was really poor today. It’s a shame because rest attack has been a strength for Spirit all season. Gotham’s 3-2-2-3 formation when attacking confused the Spirit.

One thing that I’ll also say is the Spirit’s press was uncoordinated and, even when they won the ball, there wasn’t a good structure to push forward. Multiple times Croix jumped and neither Wiesner nor Hal did too which left giant spaces. Noticed it with Gift too. It felt disjointed.

Freeman and Schupansky caught the Spirit off-guard. Gotham often was playing a 3-2-2-3 box and completely shutdown the center of the pitch. Freeman knew Cantore wasn’t going to stretch the pitch much and then defended a tired Rose really well. Schupansky and Howell closed off Leicy and Hal.

And thank you @washingtonspirit.com for always having DC’s back!

Also just wanted to say that, despite not winning it, San Jose and the Bay are awesome. Super glad I got to come and enjoy the city.

Gotham squishes the pitch really well and Leicy couldn’t really get forward. Gotham didn’t respect Cantore out wide and that forced the Spirit into hard decision making in the middle third.

This has been a really hard year in DC and, from the first match against Orlando to the final today, the Spirit gave us something joyful and something to believe in. I’ll always root for this team.

Inexcusable coaching by Adrian in the second half. Hal was obviously not fit after the injury and Trin had no business playing on the right side with that knee, especially given how well Rose was doing. Gotham played well and deserved the win, but it sucks.

Gotham are getting a 4v3 in midfield unless Bernal jumps up, but that leaves space. Cantore and Wiesner keep getting beat and Leicy is passing the ball inside when Rose wants it outside… …but we’re not losing and that’s good. Still got a game.

Interesting for Gotham

Part of me: neither coach will do anything that unexpected. The other part of me: bro Adrian can pull a crazy rabbit out of his sleeve.

LFG Spirit

Berman is really setting herself up to be considered the hero of U.S. WOSO or its greatest antagonist. No in between.

Let’s go Spirit! #ThatsTheSpirit

So Commissioner Berman and the league COULD do something but they won’t? Classic. Also: PAY WOMEN

No problem! And yup, they just dislike DP rule for NWSL compared to a free market

Honestly, criticisms like this from players just comes across as whining about not having the same opportunity. They should have had that opportunity, but Trinity shouldn’t be punished for that. Players only play pro for 15-20 years max. They should go get paid when they can.

She’s underpaid by the market, in a league that is notorious for crappy refs, and with an injury history. I want Trin to stay in DC, but within the current context, I think she’d be crazy to not go get paid in Europe. If NWSL makes a DPE or removes the cap then that’s a different conversation.

I’m so glad we moved on from Jona.

The backlash against diversity, inclusion & belonging. It felt like the country was drifting backward. The Spirit were the opposite. They radiated joy, authenticity, inclusion, and community. The fanbase felt positive and diverse. The atmosphere felt hopeful. It was everything our politics were not

I keep sitting with that the NWSL is repeatedly shooting itself in the foot. I think Commissioner Berman has to get it together and realize the league will no longer be competitive. These are professional soccer players. These are jobs — and if they won’t be compensated adequately, they’ll leave.

I made a stats thread comparing how the Spirit played under Adrian versus Gotham’s season stats. This isn’t meant to be predictive or anything, just interesting.

There's a lot of cynical "with what money" comments about Trinity to DC Power and I have to remind you commenters that the fact that a DC Power can absolutely make and afford an unmatchable offer is an indictment on NWSL's structure and owners.

Berman is a joke.

Spirit squad showing all the love for Tara McKeown, their back-line queen 💛

dunno if i'll ever be over tara mckeown's journey. spent her entire college career, plus TWO pro seasons, as a forward. one offseason they said hey wanna be a center back, she said lol wut ok, started in central defense from day 1, got on the uswnt, and just won defender of the year. WHATDOUMEAN.

Outside of keeper, I think voters gave these awards correctly. Lots of arguments for Vlatko and Sharples, but I don’t think there’s a good argument that Bev and Tara didn’t deserve these awards.

Deserved

A wall in the backline. A leader across the board. She’s your 2025 Defender of the Year. ✨Tara McKeown✨

Trin does not want to leave DC. Anyone who says the NWSL has done everything they can should go fuck themselves. The league is making an active choice and telling her to leave.

I low-key think that some NWSL team should pay money for Gaetino. She’s an absolute beast in the air and has shown qualities to become an elite passer. I know she didn’t want to in the past, but maybe it’s different without the draft.

Hal will definitely be included again. Big things for her will be: 1) more consistency across a season; and 2) more experience playing as a single pivot like she’s done this postseason.

I could be totally wrong, but my instinct is that Trin and (even) Tara’s recent injuries resulted in no call-up. Tara seemed to be locked in, so the question is if Emma is putting her with Hal in the “needs to do better before another call-up” category? Or is Tara just getting recovery time?

My two favorite destinations will never happen: 1) bye-bye Jessica Berman; or 2) hello Kang.

I would be so here for this!

WOW!

the disconnect between GMs and ownership regarding the salary cap is wild

“NWSL may in its discretion, after consultation with the NWSLPA, reduce or eliminate the Salary Cap charge against the Team Salary Cap for certain roster classifications.” (Section 8.16) Just a reminder… Berman is lying through her teeth when she says the league can’t do anything to keep Trin.