Catch The Spirit

Spirit forward Jaye Boissiere joins Craig Hoffman to talk to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, epidemiologist and former Health Director of Detroit. The trio talks about the coronavirus pandemic from every angle, starting with what the virus actually is and why it was able to spread so vastly across the world.

They discuss the decisions made by leaders from the White House to the World Health Organization, what goes into those decisions and how better funding of public health could have provided a better safety net for us all.

Plus, Spirit owner Steve Baldwin joins the conversation to discuss some of the data being collected and analyzed about COVID-19 and how that can turn into proper resource allocation and more.

Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of the episode is available there.

Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres dial up Spirit High Performance Coach Michael Minthorne on Zoom to talk about Michael's career, which has taken him all around the world. Minthorne talks about his time with EXOS which took him to China, plus his time in England and Brazil.

They also talk about how training has adapted during COVID-19 when athletes of all kind, including our players, have limited access to equipment. Michael also tells the story of when the other coaches duped him into speaking up against the players eating dessert on a road trip.

Plus, we reveal next week's podcast guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and the moment our special co-host, Jaye Boissiere, learned she would be on the show.

Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan joins Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres on Zoom to talk about everything from what she's watching while stuck at home to who would win a 100m race between the squad to planning a wedding while she and her husband were both playing professional soccer on opposite coasts!

The podcast also features fan questions and a few from a special guest who was watching live as we streamed on Twitch! Hint: It's Richie and it's everything you want it to be.

Spirit GK Coach Ian McCaldon sits down with Craig Hoffman in Sandpiper Bay to talk about his amazing life story. They start with Ian's childhood in Scotland, how one single coach saved his football career and then how both the sport and his propensity to follow his heart took him all around the world.

They then discuss Eagle's relationship with Richie Burke, how he got the Spirit job and how his relationship has evolved with Aubrey Bledsoe.

This podcast was streamed live on Twitch. You can follow the Spirit on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/washingtonspirit.

Spirit forward Crystal Thomas sits down with Craig Hoffman in Florida to talk about her rise from 3rd grader wanting to learn the rules to scoring goals in front of 20,000 people at Audi Field. Crystal tells incredible story after incredible story from the time her dad surprised her in Denmark to a conversation that lead to her famous goal against Orlando last year at Audi.

Plus, Craig and Crystal switch places! Crystal interviews Craig in a new "switch the interview" feature as Crystal learns about Craig's time at ESPN and his jump to the Spirit!

Note: All necessary precautions were taken in the recording of this podcast. Craig and Crystal sat at opposite ends of a six-foot table to ensure proper social distancing and the room was kept empty outside of them and a single videographer, who was over ten feet away behind the camera. We continue to take all precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 seriously as well as the health and safety of our players and staff as we create content and operate in every way.

Spirit rookies Ashley Sanchez and Kaiya McCullough join Catch The Spirit to talk about their transitions from UCLA to the NWSL. They talk about their time with the Bruins, what it meant to be drafted together and what they're looking forward to this season.

The duo also talks about the adjustment to living on the east coast, including the need for a new wardrobe! They also answer fan questions and more, including who is their most intimidating teammate! 😳

Buy your tickets now for our season opener at Audi Field on 4/18! If you call our ticket office at 301-591-0927 and tell them you're a friend of the pod and you'll get $10 off your single game ticket for the opener! You can also check out any single game tickets and our season ticket packages, which start as low as $65, at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.

Spirit midfielder Jordan DiBiasi and forward Ashley Hatch join Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres at The Plex to chat about their off-seasons, which included a call-up to the USWNT's ID camp. Jordan and Ashley were roommates at the camp and share their experiences and what they did after they left Florida.

Jordan also talks about her recent call-up to the She Believes Cup camp and what she expects in her first USWNT full camp. Plus, Jordi and Hatch talk about last season and how DiBiasi's youthful energy shifted, but never wavered during her rookie year.

They also answer fan questions and Craig gets very mad at Chris for being musically talented. It happens a lot.

Follow everyone on Instagram here: Jordan, Ashley, Craig and Chris.

Catch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one.

Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!

Spirit newcomers Jessie Scarpa and Brooke Hendrix join Craig Hoffman at the Plex to talk about their last week since coming to DC. They also talk about their very different college experiences at UNC and Southern Miss respectively. Plus, Jessie and Brooke answer fan questions on everything from their coffee orders to who inspires them.

Craig also talks about his new role as the Executive Producer of the Spirit. For more, check out this video and this blog post.

Catch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one.

Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!

Spirit manager Richie Burke joins Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres to talk about the draft day decision to trade Mallory Pugh and why he's so excited about the players they're bringing in. Richie talks about the new players and what drew the Spirit to Ashely Sanchez, Natalie Jacobs, Averie Collins, Katie McClure and Kaiya McCullough. 

Plus, Richie talks about his plans to create "the ultimate meritocracy" and how he thinks about constructing a roster.

Meggie Dougherty Howard and Dorian Bailey sit down with Craig and Chris at Onyx Elite's Winter Performance Camp in Tampa, FL. The foursome talks about the week they've had as its MDH's second year at the camp and Dorian's first time. They also discuss how it is that Craig lost his seat in the car on the morning ride.

They also talk about their childhoods, how they developed their love for soccer and what they're working on this off-season.

Catch The Spirit is brought to you by WAGS. Learn more about Women and Girls in Soccer, check out their website here: https://www.womenandgirlsinsoccer.org

Catch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one, including their episodes from Onyx Camp with Yael Averbuch-West, Lauren Sesselman and Oguchi Onyewu.

Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!