Washington Spirit face Chicago Red Stars for NWSL championship after 'rollercoaster' season
The NWSL championship wasn’t part of the Washington Spirit narrative three months ago.
The team’s performance took a backseat as focus shifted to the firing of coach Richie Burke after an investigation into alleged violations of the NWSL’s anti-harassment policy. Former players, including Kaiya McCullough, reported emotional and verbal abuse.
The revelations fractured the Spirit.
Some players felt relief, others were shocked, and some landed in between.
“Immediately, we needed to provide space for all of those emotions,” interim coach Kris Ward told USA Today Sports+ during an exclusive interview. “The first few weeks were a lot, and I don’t think there is anything anywhere that could prepare anyone for the last three months.”
Spirit players found motivation within to overcome a rollercoaster season, go eight games unbeaten and make it to the league’s title match for the first time since 2016. The 2021 NWSL championship begins at noon ET Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. CBS will broadcast the match.
“It's been a rollercoaster,” said Angie Kanellopulos, president of the Spirit's supporters' group. “I don’t think there's a better analogy.”
Shortly after Burke’s firing, the league forced Washington to forfeit two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, rifts among ownership put the team’s training facility arrangement in jeopardy. Players collectively called for owner Steve Baldwin to sell his stake in the team, which has yet to occur.
Spirit players overcame each obstacle. The forfeits were the only two losses in the last 13 games, which galvanized the group.
“Our staff has been really incredible at setting everything up and guiding us and dealing with conflict,” midfielder Andi Sullivan said. “They have just been so good at steadying the ship and letting us solve things.”
In the beginning, Ward worried about his team as they navigated the unknown. After one training in August, he stayed behind to make sure his players didn't need anything after a tough week of news. When he looked back, he saw veteran defender Tori Huster taking charge. The players had tough conversations, but found a way to regain a collective purpose to win.
The midseason coaching change also sparked a necessary tactical shift.
With the addition of coaches Annie Worden and Lee Nguyen, Ward broke trainings into groups based on position, focusing on structure and simplifying the game. Goalkeeper coach Paul Crichton took the defenders. Nguyen focused on the attackers. Worden floated between groups and Ward managed one-on-one interactions.
Washington is 8W-3D-2L since Ward took over and has held opponents to a combined three goals in the last eight games.
It will take key organizers on the field, like Sullivan, to stay compact and find moments to break down the Red Stars' defensive wall Saturday.
Center back Sarah Gorden is the key to Chicago's defensive success. She's played every minute this season.
While Gorden is consistent, the Red Stars head into Saturday’s final with two major question marks. Forward Mallory Pugh missed Chicago’s 2-0 semifinal win over the Portland Thorns due to COVID-19 protocol and it is unclear if she will be available for the final. Forward Kealia Watt left the semifinal with a right knee injury and is also questionable.
Chicago has experience and a 2W-1D-0L record against the Spirit this season. The Red Stars have made the NWSL semifinals every year since 2015 and appeared in the last two league finals. The Spirit made it to the semifinals three times — 2014, 2015 and in 2016, when Washington lost to Western New York Flash on penalties.
But the Spirit's youth and an extra time goal from Ashley Hatch powered them past the North Carolina Courage during their quarterfinal and sparked a 2-1 semifinal comeback win against OL Reign.
Forward Ashley Sanchez is a creative attacker, but rookies Tara McKeown and Trinity Rodman will need to help find scoring opportunities.
Rodman, especially, has the ability to find space behind the opposing defense. The 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year has seven goals and six assists.
“Her athletic ability is one of the top I’ve ever seen,” Nguyen said. “What has been so great is her attitude and work rate.”
The Spirit will also rely on the balance found among the chaos during the late summer months.
Whether anyone could predict Washington in the NWSL championship is hindsight. But, up ahead is one more drop Saturday before getting off the rollercoaster.
“I can’t believe we are still here, in a weird way, but at the same time it feels so normal," Sullivan said. "I can’t imagine being done."