Wikipedia

2017 Washington Spirit season

The 2017 season is Washington Spirit's fifth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

Washington Spirit
2017 season
General managerChris Hummer
Head coachJim Gabarra
StadiumMaryland SoccerPlex
NWSL10th
Top goalscorerMallory Pugh (6)
Highest home attendance5,200
(July 8 vs. Orlando)
Lowest home attendance2,365
(Aug 30 vs. North Carolina)
Average home league attendance3,491
← 2016
2018 →

Review

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In the aftermath of finishing 2016 runners-up, the Spirit saw a series of key departures including captain Ali Krieger (traded to Orlando Pride), Christine Nairn and Diana Matheson (both traded to Seattle Reign), and Crystal Dunn leaving for Chelsea, while retaining her contracting rights. In addition to the departures, key injuries to Joanna Lohman, Francisca Ordega, and goalkeeper Kelsey Wys limited the Spirit's playing options.

Unable to adequately replace these players, the Spirit struggled to compete throughout the 2017 season ultimately finishing last (10th) for the first time since the inaugural season.[1] However, building for the future, Gabarra was able to recruit U.S. national team prospect, Mallory Pugh midseason.[2] Pugh would go on to lead the team in scoring, registering 6 goals in 16 games.[3]

Club

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Roster

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The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.[4]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   CAN Stephanie Labbé (FP)
2 FW   USA Arielle Ship
3 DF   USA Caprice Dydasco
4 DF   CAN Shelina Zadorsky (FP)
5 DF   USA Whitney Church
6 DF   USA Kassey Kallman
7 MF   DEN Line Sigvardsen Jensen
8 FW   CAN Lindsay Agnew
9 MF   JAM Havana Solaun
10 FW   ARG Estefanía Banini
11 FW   USA Mallory Pugh (FP)
12 MF   USA Morgan Proffitt
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 FW   NGA Francisca Ordega
15 MF   USA Joanna Lohman
17 FW   USA Cali Farquharson
18 GK   USA Kelsey Wys
20 FW   JAM Cheyna Williams
21 GK   BIH DiDi Haracic
22 DF   USA Alyssa Kleiner
23 MF   USA Tori Huster
24 DF   CMR Estelle Johnson
27 FW   CHI Yanara Aedo
29 MF   USA Megan Dougherty Howard
  • (FP) = Federation player

Team management

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Owner Bill Lynch
General Manager Jim Gabarra
Head Coach Jim Gabarra

Source:[4]

Competitions

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Preseason

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On February 2, the Washington Spirit announced its preseason schedule.[5]

March 18, Sat Washington Spirit 3–0 Penn State University Boyds, Maryland
14:00 EDT (UTC-04) Stengel   34'
Mewis   43', 53'		 [p 1] Stadium: Maryland Soccerplex
Attendance: 300
Note: Played in three 30-minute periods.
March 25, Sat Washington Spirit 5–0 University of North Carolina Leesburg, Virginia
18:30 EDT (UTC-04) Sigvardsen Jensen   35'   58'
Stengel   49'
Williams   52'
Mewis   81'
Agnew   89'		 [p 2] Stadium: Evergreen Sportsplex
Attendance: 2,000
April 1, Sat Washington Spirit 4–3 Duke University Boyds, Maryland
14:00 EDT (UTC-04) Stengel   23', 59'
Dougherty Howard   37'
Williams   52'		 [p 3] Dorsey   27', 44'
McCoy   41'		 Stadium: Maryland Soccerplex
April 8, Sat Washington Spirit 2–0 University of Virginia Boyds, Maryland
19:00 EDT (UTC-04) Mewis   21'
Lohman   65'		 [p 4] Stadium: Maryland Soccerplex

Regular season

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Sat Apr 15 1 Washington Spirit 0–1 North Carolina Courage Boyds, Maryland
3:00 p.m. Mewis   28'
Zardorsky   82'		 [m 1] Zerboni   18'   70' Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 2,407
Sat Apr 22 2 Orlando Pride 1–1 Washington Spirit Orlando, Florida
4:00 p.m. Jensen   60'
Kallman   65'
Huster   75'		 Report
Box Score		 Alleway   59'
Evans   86'		 Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 14,452
Referee: Karen Abt
Sat Apr 29 3 Washington Spirit 0–1 Houston Dash Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Report
Box Score		 Ohai   28'
Benites   59'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,154
Referee: Christina Unkel
Sat May 6 4 Washington Spirit 4–3 Sky Blue FC Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Ordega   6', 56'
Simon   26' (o.g.)
Solaun   34'
Williams   87'		 Report
Box Score		 O'Hara   12'
Simon   39'
Killion   50', 71' (pen.)		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,190
Sat May 13 5 Seattle Reign FC 6–2 Washington Spirit Seattle, Washington
4:00 p.m. Christine Nairn   20'
Yanez   35'
Kawasumi   69'
Rapinoe   71' (pen.), 76'
Elston   79'		 Report
Box Score		 Solaun   60'
Mewis   88'		 Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Attendance: 3,007
Referee: Victor Rivas
Sat May 20 6 Washington Spirit 0–1 FC Kansas City Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Ordega   84' Report
Box Score		 Newfield   39'
Saurbrunn   48'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,714
Sat May 27 7 FC Kansas City 3–2 Washington Spirit Kansas City, Missouri
8:00 p.m. Leroux   9', 27'
Newfield   15'   70'
Sauerbrunn   60'
Taylor   89'		 Report
Box Score		 Mewis   5'
Dougherty Howard   39'
Solaun   83'
Ordega   86'		 Stadium: Swope Soccer Village
Attendance: 1,728
Sat June 3 8 Washington Spirit 2–0 Houston Dash Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Williams   3'
Pugh   69'		 Report
Box Score		 Brooks   63' Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,096
Sat June 17 9 Chicago Red Stars 1–1 Washington Spirit Bridgeview, Illinois
2:50 p.m. Naughton   31'
Press   82' (penalty)		 Report
Box Score		 Ordega   42' (Williams)
Howard   62'
Zadorsky   81'		 Stadium: Toyota Park
Attendance: 3,189
Referee: Christopher Greer
Assistant referees: Joshua Haimes, Gjovalin Bori
Fourth official: Jeffrey Swartzel
Sat June 24 10 Washington Spirit 1–0 Portland Thorns FC Boyds, Maryland
4:00 p.m. Ordega   19' Report
Box Score		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 4,319
Sat July 1 11 Boston Breakers 1–0 Washington Spirit Boston, Massachusetts
4:00 p.m. Chapman   62'
Purce   72' (White)		 Report Johnson   64' Stadium: Jordan Field
Attendance: 2,523
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
Sat July 8 12 Washington Spirit 2–2 Orlando Pride Boyds, Maryland
4:00 p.m. Pugh   24' (Ordega), 90' (pen.) Report Marta   10', 56' (pen.) Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 5,200
Sat July 15 13 Houston Dash 2–1 Washington Spirit Houston, Texas
8:30 p.m. Poliana   25' (Beckie)
Andressinha   53' (Daly)
Van Wyk   59'		 Report Johnson   75' (Solaun) Stadium: BBVA Compass Stadium
Attendance: 3,332
Sat July 22 14 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 Washington Spirit Portland, Oregon
10:00 p.m. Sykes   30'
Long   62'
Weber   80'		 Report
Box Score		 Ship   12'
Solaun   58'
Dydasco   72'		 Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 18,478
Fri August 4 15 Sky Blue FC 1–4 Washington Spirit Piscataway, New Jersey
7:00 p.m. Hayes   2' Report
Box Score		 Ship   51'
Church   57'
Williams   61'
Howard   73'
Solaun   87'		 Stadium: Yurcak Field
Attendance: 2,496
Tue August 8 16 Orlando Pride 3–0 Washington Spirit Orlando, Florida
7:00 p.m. Evans   45'
Marta   52'
Pereira   57'
Umogagu   62'
Morgan   64'		 Report
Box Score		 Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 4,273
Referee: Christina Unkel
Sat August 12 17 Washington Spirit 2–2 Boston Breakers Boyds, Maryland
4:00 p.m. Johnson   6'
Williams   64'		 Report Leon   44'   79'
Salem   90+5'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,722
Referee:   Danielle Chesky
Sat August 19 18 North Carolina Courage 2–0 Washington Spirit Cary, North Carolina
4:00 p.m. Hatch   46'
Kallman   84' (o.g.)
Dahlkemper   90+2'		 Report Dydasco   55'
Farquharson   83'		 Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 3,530
Referee:   Elvis Osmanovic
Sat August 26 19 Washington Spirit 1–2 Chicago Red Stars Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Williams   81'
Johnson   90+3'		 Report Kristen Mavis   23'
Mautz   66'
Colaprico   70'
Press   87'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,469
Referee:   Kevin Broadley
Wed August 30 20 Washington Spirit 2–3 North Carolina Courage Boyds, Maryland
7:30 p.m. Banini   8'
Farquharson   23'
Huster   45'
Williams   73'		 Report Mewis   45+1'
McDonald   61'   66'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 2,365
Referee:   Amber O'Connor
Sat September 2 21 Portland Thorns FC 4–0 Washington Spirit Portland, Oregon
4:30 p.m. Nadim   22'
Sinclair   25'   81'
Reynolds   36'
Sonnett   40'		 Report Haracic   21' Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 19,141
Referee:   Ekaterina Koroleva
Sun September 10 22 Sky Blue FC 1–2 Washington Spirit Piscataway, New Jersey
6:00 p.m. Hayes   43' Report Church   75'
Pugh   85'		 Stadium: Yurcak Field
Attendance: 2,008
Referee:   Becky Pagan
Sat September 23 23 Washington Spirit 0–3 Boston Breakers Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Report
Box Score		 Dowie   47'
Kallman   54' (o.g.)
Leon   55'
Frisbie   69'
White   77'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,475
Referee: Luis Guardia
Sat September 30 24 Washington Spirit 2–3 Seattle Reign FC Boyds, Maryland
7:00 p.m. Pugh   27', 32' Report
Box Score		 Fishlock   71', 90'
Crummer   83'		 Stadium: Maryland SoccerPlex
Attendance: 3,780
Referee: Danielle Chesky

Regular-season standings

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 North Carolina Courage 24 16 1 7 38 22 +16 49 NWSL Shield
2 Portland Thorns FC (C) 24 14 5 5 37 20 +17 47 NWSL Playoffs
3 Orlando Pride 24 11 7 6 45 31 +14 40
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 6 7 33 30 +3 39
5 Seattle Reign FC 24 9 7 8 43 37 +6 34
6 Sky Blue FC 24 10 3 11 42 51 −9 33
7 FC Kansas City 24 8 7 9 29 31 −2 31
8 Houston Dash 24 7 3 14 23 39 −16 24
9 Boston Breakers 24 4 7 13 24 35 −11 19
10 Washington Spirit 24 5 4 15 30 48 −18 19
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

Results summary

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Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
24 5 4 15 30 48  −18 19 3 2 7 16 21  −5 2 2 8 14 27  −13

Last updated: October 1, 2017.
Source: Match reports

Results by round

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Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324
StadiumHAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHHAAHH
ResultLDLWLLLWDWLDLLWLDLLLLWLL
Position[n 1]789710101098810101010910101010101091010
Updated to match(es) played on October 1, 2017. Source: Match reports
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Postseason playoff

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The Spirit struggled to gain any momentum during the 2017 season and were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention after a home loss to the Chicago Red Stars on August 26 (Week 19).[6]

Squad statistics

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Squad statistics are of regular season only

Appearances and goals

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As of October 1, 2017[7]
No. Pos Nat Player Total NWSL
Apps Goals Apps Goals
Defenders:
3 DF   USA Caprice Dydasco 16 0 16 0
4 DF   CAN Shelina Zadorsky 21 0 21 0
5 DF   USA Whitney Church 22 1 22 1
6 DF   USA Kassey Kallman 17 0 17 0
12 DF   USA Morgan Proffitt 3 0 3 0
22 DF   USA Alyssa Kleiner 18 0 18 0
Midfielders:
9 MF   JAM Havana Solaun 24 5 24 5
10 MF   ARG Estefania Banini 9 1 9 1
15 MF   USA Joanna Lohman 1 0 1 0
16 MF   USA Cameron Castleberry 2 0 2 0
19 MF   USA Kristie Mewis 8 2 8 2
23 MF   USA Tori Huster 20 0 20 0
24 MF   CMR Estelle Johnson 20 2 20 2
29 MF   USA Megan Dougherty Howard 23 1 23 1
Forwards:
2 FW   USA Arielle Ship 14 1 14 1
7 FW   DEN Line Jensen 9 1 9 1
8 FW   CAN Lindsay Agnew 8 0 8 0
11 FW   USA Mallory Pugh 16 6 16 6
12 FW   USA Katie Stengel 5 0 5 0
13 FW   USA Crystal Thomas 1 0 1 0
14 FW   NGA Francisca Ordega 14 4 14 4
17 FW   USA Cali Farquharson 10 0 10 0
20 FW   JAM Cheyna Williams 21 5 21 5
27 FW   CHI Yanara Aedo 0 0 0 0

Italics indicates player left team midway through season.

Goalkeeper Stats

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Last updated: October 1, 2017

No. Nat Player National Women's Soccer League
GP GS MIN W L D GA GAA CS
1   Stephanie Labbe 17 17 1530 4 10 3 30 1.76 2
18   Kelsey Wys 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0
21   DiDi Haracic 7 7 630 1 5 1 18 2.57 0

Transfers

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In

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Date Player Number Position Previous club Fee/notes
November 17, 2016   Kristie Mewis 19 MF   Boston Breakers Trade[8]
November 17, 2016   Kassey Kallman 6 DF   Boston Breakers Trade[8]
December 21, 2016   Havana Solaun 9 MF   Seattle Reign FC Trade for Rights, Signed[9][10]
February 10, 2017   DiDi Haracic 21 GK   Washington Spirit Reserves Signed[11]
March 10, 2017   Lindsay Agnew 8 FW   Ohio State 2017 Draft Pick[12]
March 10, 2017   Megan Dougherty Howard 29 MF   Florida 2017 Draft Pick[12]
April 5, 2017   Arielle Ship 2 FW   California 2017 Draft Pick[13]
April 5, 2017   Cameron Castleberry 16 MF   North Carolina 2017 Draft Pick[13]
April 27, 2017   Crystal Thomas 13 FW   Georgetown University Signed[14]
May 13, 2017   Mallory Pugh 11 FW   UCLA Signed via Distribution Ranking Order[2]
June 19, 2017   Estefanía Banini 10 FW   Valencia Féminas CF Signed pending international transfer certificate[15]
June 27, 2017   Yanara Aedo 27 FW   Valencia Féminas CF Signed pending international transfer certificate[16]
August 23, 2017   Morgan Proffitt 12 MF   Chicago Red Stars Signed after waived[17]

Out

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Date Player Number Position New club Fee/notes
October 18, 2016   Estefanía Banini 10 MF   Valencia Féminas CF Free[18]
October 19, 2016   Laura del Rio 57 FW Waived[19]
November 2, 2016   Ali Krieger 11 DF   Orlando Pride Trade[20]
November 17, 2016   Megan Oyster 4 DF   Boston Breakers Trade[8]
April 22, 2016   Christine Nairn 7 MF   Seattle Reign FC Trade[9]
January 2, 2017   Crystal Dunn 19 FW   Chelsea L.F.C. Free[21]
January 23, 2017   Diana Matheson 8 MF   Seattle Reign FC Trade[22]
May 19, 2017   Crystal Thomas 13 FW Waived[23]
June 28, 2017   Katie Stengel 12 FW   Boston Breakers Waived[24]
June 28, 2017   Cameron Castleberry 16 MF Waived[24]
August 21, 2017   Kristie Mewis 19 FW   Chicago Red Stars Trade for 2018 First round draft pick[25]

Honors and awards

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NWSL Team of the Month

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Month Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards Ref.
April   Stephanie Labbé   Estelle Johnson [26]
June   Stephanie Labbé   Estelle Johnson [27]

NWSL Weekly Awards

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NWSL Player of the Week

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Week Result Player Ref.
4 Won   Francisca Ordega [28]
15 Won   Arielle Ship [29]
20 Won   Whitney Church [30]

NWSL Save of the Week

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Week Result Player Ref.
11 Won   Stephanie Labbé [31]
20 Won   DiDi Haracic
  Whitney Church 		[32]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Emily Kesel (October 24, 2017). "2017 NWSL season review: Washington Spirit". Vavel. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Washington Spirit acquires U.S. Women's National Team forward Mallory Pugh". washingtonspirit.com. May 13, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  3. ^ Emily Kesel (October 24, 2017). "2017 NWSL season review: Washington Spirit". vavel.com. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Washington Spirit". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  5. ^ "Washington Spirit Preseason Schedule Features First Ever Game in Virginia". nwslsoccer.com. February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  6. ^ "Washington Spirit's NWSL playoff hopes extinguished after 2-1 loss to Chicago Red Stars". Black and Red United. August 27, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  7. ^ "2017 NWSL Season Stats". soccerway.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c "Washington Spirit Acquires Kristie Mewis, Kassey Kallman, and No. 1 Spot in the Distribution Ranking Order from Boston Breakers". washingtonspirit.com. November 17, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Washington Spirit Acquires Havana Solaun, Three Draft Picks from Seattle Reign FC for Christine Nairn". washingtonspirit.com. November 10, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "Washington Spirit Signs Midfielder Havana Solaun". washingtonspirit.com. December 21, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  11. ^ "Washington Spirit Signs Goalkeeper DiDi Haracic". washingtonspirit.com. February 10, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Spirit signs 2017 NWSL College Draft picks Lindsay Agnew and Meggie Dougherty Howard". washingtonspirit.com. March 10, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Washington Spirit officially signs rookies Arielle Ship and Cameron Castleberry". washingtonspirit.com. April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  14. ^ "Washington Spirit signs forward Crystal Thomas". washingtonspirit.com. April 27, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  15. ^ Lombardo, Kayla (June 19, 2017). "Washington Spirit sign Argentine international forward Estefanía Banini". www.excellesports.com. Excelle Sports. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017. The Spirit's announcement lists her as a forward, while the team roster lists her as a midfielder.
  16. ^ Blakely, Chris (June 27, 2017). "Washington Spirit announce the signing of Yanara Aedo". Vavel. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  17. ^ "Washington Spirit claims midfielder Morgan Proffitt off NWSL waivers". August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  18. ^ Caitlin Buckley (October 18, 2016). "It looks like Estefania Banini has left the Washington Spirit for Valencia CF". BlackandRedUnited.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  19. ^ Caitlin Buckley (October 19, 2016). "Washington Spirit waive Laura del Rio, Estefania Banini still might return". BlackandRedUnited.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  20. ^ "Washington Spirit Defender Ali Krieger Traded to Orlando Pride". washingtonspirit.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  21. ^ "Washington Spirit Forward Crystal Dunn to Play for Chelsea Ladies FC". washingtonspirit.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  22. ^ Steven Goff (January 23, 2017). "Washington Spirit trades Diana Matheson to Seattle Reign". Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  23. ^ "Washington Spirit waives forward Crystal Thomas". Washington Spirit. May 19, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  24. ^ a b "Washington Spirit waives Katie Stengel and Cameron Castleberry". Washington Spirit. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  25. ^ "Washington Spirit trades Mewis to Chicago for 2018 NWSL College Draft first round pick". Washington Spirit. August 21, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  26. ^ "April Team of the Month announced". NWSL. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  27. ^ Linehan, Meg (June 30, 2017). "June Team of the Month announced". NWSL. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  28. ^ Purdy, Jacqueline. "Francisca Ordega named Player of the Week". NWSL. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  29. ^ "Best of 2017: Players of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "Best of 2017: Players of the Week". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  31. ^ "Save of the Week: Stephanie Labbé". National Women's Soccer League. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  32. ^ "Save of the Week: DiDi Haracic and Whitney Church". September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
Match reports (preseason)
  1. ^ "Washington Spirit Opens Preseason with 3–0 Win over Penn State University". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Washington Spirit Stays Undefeated in Preseason with 5–0 Win over UNC". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  3. ^ "Washington Spirit continues undefeated preseason with win over Duke University". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  4. ^ "Washington Spirit shuts out UVA 2–0, completing undefeated preseason". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
Match reports (regular season)
  1. ^ "Washington Spirit drops 1–0 decision to NC Courage in season opener". washingtonspirit.com. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
Notes
  1. ^ Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day
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