Y’all… @heyspirits.bsky.social is gonna hit so good this week. @annieelliott.bsky.social said no more back heel foolery until we get it together and Sofia said BET.

Mondays are a Gift 🎁😌

the funniest thing about this is that before this all happened bethune was frustrated at the lack of movement in the box and was doing the 'do something' gesture with the ball at her feet and then they did this lmao what an absurd team

Washington Spirit clinched an NWSL playoff spot in outstanding fashion today, beating Houston Dash 4-0 on a Gift Monday hat trick and extra goal by Sofia Cantore.

After a blitzing start to her time in the NWSL, Gift Monday went the past five games without a start in league play. She was ready for her shot when it came today. “That hat trick had been waiting for me for a very long time.”

Esme Morgan: “I definitely felt today that it was going to be a good day.” Indeed it was. Thanks to a Gift Monday hat trick and a Sofia Cantore highlight-reel back-heeler, the Spirit clinched its spot in the NWSL playoffs. More for @postsports.bsky.social on a big 4-0 win over Houston:

Tara McKeown says that managing a 3-0 lead with possession in the 2nd half was "fun" but added that it helped due to it being a hot day in D.C.

(prior ? from @roey.bsky.social) Tara McKeown knows about & is very amused by the Tara the Explorer highlight reel (this one from @838carlisle.bsky.social)

Morgan said in the mixed zone that Cantore has some kind of DJ set-up that is on its way from Italy for herself, & that this trio decided if one of them scored, this had to be the celebration. Asst. coach Mike Bristol was not part of their plans, Morgan laughed at a description of this photo

González on the competition between Monday & Cantore up front: "With all my respect, some teams have one starter [at a position], or 12 or 13 players who start. We don't want that."

Adrián González says the Spirit's success creating chances from the wings starts in the middle, & praised the entire team for timing when they looked to break lines passing to wide players.

that’s our team 🙂‍↕️

Anna Heilferty and several other Dash players just put on Free DC shirts #nwsl

WE GOIN TO THE PLAYOFFS WE GOIN TO THE PLAYOFFS WE GOIN TO THE PLAYOFFS WE GOIN TO THE PLAYOFFS

Let ‘em know the Spirit IS IN 🗣️

ay man. AY.

CLINNCHED

FT | 4-0 AMAZING. SPECTACULAR. STUPENDOUS. BRILLIANT. INCREDIBLE. MARVELOUS. BEAUTIFUL. DOMINANT. DELIGHTFUL. ABSURD. STUNNING. EXCEPTIONAL.

HOLY SPIRITS

Anna Heilferty getting a genuine standing O as she checks in for Houston in the 87th minute

HERE COMES ANNA HEILFERTYYYYYY She gets a HUGE ovation from Audi!!

🇯🇵🤝🇮🇹!

So anyway Sofia Cantore just buried a ridiculous heel flick that people are gasping at even after 3 replays

🇮🇹 👠 🤌

WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE LIKE A BIG PIZZA PIE THATS CANTOREEEEEE!!!!

82' SUB Carle OFF Ratcliffe ON

4-0 CANTOOOOOOOREEEEEEEEEEEE

Attendance: 12,715 - on a 1pm Sunday kickoff with the Commanders also kicking off at 1. YOU LOVE TO SEE IT!!

74' | SUB Santos OFF Rumi ON

Omg Croix nearly did a madness

65' | SUB Syllo OFF Weezy ON

Cantore with a shot saved off the line!! So close!!!

Tara went exploring and sent a lovely cross across the face of goal that was missed by Cantore then skied by Rodman!! The people deserved a Tara the Explorer assist!

Free DC chant in full effect at Audi Field today

Big collision between Tara and Larisey as a throughball was sent behind the line. Tara won the ball and the foul but is down in some pain and receiving treatment.

One more angle of Gift Monday's first goal of the day 🔥

We have escaped nothing bad happening during the Free DC chant today!

Rodman stings the palms of Smith with a snap shot toward the near post, then a few minutes later she curled in a lovely cross that dropped to Bethune who brings it down but can't get power on the shot.

50' 🟨 Alozie Kouassi took the ball from Alozie in the box, turned the corner and darted up the pitch. Alozie grabbed her from behind to slow her down and earned a yellow.

Oop, bit of a nervy moment there as Houston gets into the box. Kingsbury bats away a ball into the air but can't get the rebound, luckily the followup went behind for a goal kick.

46' SUBS Monday OFF Cantore ON Hal OFF Abiodun ON

That first half sure showed how much this Spirit team has evolved this season. When the Spirit + the Dash played in the March 14 opener: • Goal scorers were Ashley Hatch (now out) and Makenna Morris (since traded) • Coach was Jonatan Giráldez (now at Lyon) • Gift Monday wasn't even on the roster!

MAKE THAT A GIFT MONDAY HAT TRICK 🤩

46' | 🌸COME ON SPIRITS🌸

hal, pls

HT | 3-0 Well, that was fun! We've talked a lot about the Spirit needing to get goals when they're dominating a team and Gift Monday decided to oblige with a first half hat trick. A couple cleaner touches or quicker decisions from Kouassi and it could be even more.

Rodman just made a thirty yard spring deep into stoppage time to make sure a clearance didn't go out of play. EA FC26 please update her rating now!!

45+1 | 🟨 Yazmeen Ryan A frustration foul there as Esme Morgan was about to dart away with the ball so Ryan grabs her from behind and spins her around.

ON REPEAT!