HEY SPIRITS

Annie & André review w frustrating 0-2 loss to Kansas City Current in the Spirit's home opener.

It wasn't all bad, though. Washington showed off a new formation, and crisper buildup in possession. They also managed to contain Temwa Chawinga for 95'ish minutes. But an unfortunate handball call, and a couple Spirit opportunities to equalize allowed the Current to take and maintain a 1-0 lead.

So, unfortunately, we have to talk about refereeing. After, we spotlight key performances, including being grateful for Rebeca Bernal, and a potential Gift for the Spirits.

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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Annie, Ella & André review the Spirit's opening game of the regular season, a 2-1 win away against Houston Dash!

The Spirit capitalized on two moments to put the ball in the back of the net and held on against a brand new Houston Dash team. We discuss the Spirit's struggles in possession, but highlight the great work that led to the first goal, and the pressing awareness that led to Hatch scoring the winner (orrrrrrr did she??).

We dissect key moments in the game, chat about stats, highlight top performers (Rebeca Bernal, tysm!), and look ahead to the home opener this weekend against Kansas City Current.

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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The 2025 Washington Spirit already have one trophy thanks to their penalty kick shootout win over Orlando Pride in the Challenge Cup!

Annie, Ella & André relive the lows, then highs, of the match. We spotlight key adjustments and performances, and how even in some moves that weren't quite there yet, there was a lot of promise. (Also Rebeca Bernal may already be a Spirit legend.)

Then we step back to preview the 2025 regular season overall. We look at the squad, summer moves, players on loan, key additions, expected playing style, and more. We also predict the season's top scorer, defender, and early favorites for the Candy Corn Crown!

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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Annie, Ella, and André were invited to record live sessions of Hey Spirits at Spirit Fest! Naturally, we set aside our nerves and fears of being perceived, agreed, and had so much fun.

We interviewed head coach Jonatan Giráldez and Adrián González together. We discussed the transition that happened midseason last year, eating burgers, the NWSL Challenge Cup, and of course, candy corn. (One likes it, the other does not!)

Then we chatted with Tara McKeown and Kate Wiesner! Tara talks us through her journey to recently starting (and assisting) for the USWNT! Kate discusses her first year as a pro and what she's looking forward to this year. Plus we bombard them with random questions in our search for our next candy corn question, and we thank them for their patience lol.

Next we chatted with the recently retired Nicole Barnhart! She dishes on her decision to retire, and how she became the Spirit's assistant goalkeeping coach. She also tells us all about the peace and tranquility of her cabin, and tells the long version of her first start with the USWNT (it is a can't-miss story)!

We wrapped up with Esme Morgan and Hal Hershfelt! We get into everything from Rowdy Audi, to traversing an ocean every international window, to tattoos, to Cadbury eggs, and so much more. We also surprise Hal by awarding her our MVP, the Candy Corn Crown. Then we have Esme try candy corn live on stage!

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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Annie, Ella & André welcome Amelia and Eugene from Our Futbol Pod to talk all about the Washington Spirit's newest signing, Rebeca Bernal!

Amy & Eugene cohost a podcast that focuses on Mexican women's soccer in Mexico and around the world. They were the perfect guests to explain how Bernal became an iconic figure to her former club, Rayadas, and Mexican women's soccer overall. Then, they help us get into her leadership qualities, defensive versatility, goalscoring prowess, and potential fit on the Spirit.

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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Annie, Ella & André were delighted to be joined by Washington Spirit defender, Mom and gold medalist: Casey Krueger!

We talk to Krueger about being a mom in the NWSL, her experience in free agency (and why she chose the Spirit), the USWNT and winning a gold medal, funniest teammates, and of course her thoughts on candy corn!

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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For our 100th episode (😱) we decided to go back to where it all began and interview our very first guest, on our very first episode: Andi Sullivan!

It took some time to schedule because, if you haven't heard, Andi recently announced to her team that she's pregnant! We discuss keeping the secret (and who almost ruined it), what it was like to reveal it in that setting, and her favorite reactions from the now viral video of her announcement.

Then we get into her decision to pursue motherhood during a difficult injury, how fellow-teammate and mom, Casey Krueger, helped her decision, and more. Also, we talk about how much the team has changed since she spoke to us on episode 1, what book she's currently reading, and solicit her help in coming up with a new final interview question.

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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Annie & André take you through the latest Washington Spirit news/things we don't yet know but soon will!

After discussing some comments in recent pressers from Jona Giráldez and a few Spirit players, we discuss the Spirit's signing of a fourth goalkeeper, Sandy MacIver. We speculate on what that might mean for the starting role, and if the Spirit really play to start the season with four keepers.

Then we dive into the rumors that Monterrey and Mexico Women's National Team player Rebeca Bernal is headed to the Spirit! We dop and overview of the player, and why Spirit fans should be excited if this is true. Of course then it makes us speculate yet again on roster decisions!

After, we get into the NWSL/NWSLPA settlement, Amazon's upcoming series For the Win: NWSL, Narumi Miura's Japan callup, and the Spirit's 2025 schedule.

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Show Notes

More signings could be coming to Washington Spirit, plus injury updates and preseason vibes - Annie Elliott, TDP

It’s the Washington Spirit’s 2025 Regular Season Schedule! - André Carlisle, TDP

NWSL must pay $5M restitution to abuse victims in historic settlement - Jason Anderson, Pro Soccer Wire/USA Today

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Ella & André are joined by Washington Spirit midfielder Heather Stainbrook!

We chat about Heather's pathway into soccer, who helped grow her passion, and how playing with siblings in the basement can maybe sometimes go a bit too far 😬. We also discuss her move to the pros, and how the Spirit sold her on joining the club.

After, we chat about her overall style of play, goals for her second year, plus what she likes to do outside of soccer. Then we get into rapid fire questions where she reveals her stance on the extremely important candy corn question.

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

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With it being a quiet'ish week round the Spirits Annie, Ella & André asked our social media followers if they had any questions they would like us to answer – and we were overwhelmed at the response!

So we decided to dedicate this episode to listeners by answering as many questions as we could (we're all long winded, but we tried!). We get into some of our personal history with the game and the Spirit, key moments in the club's history, our favorite interview and interview answer (so far), what the Spirit should do at CB, and what we would include in a welcome packet for new players.

Also during the episode nes of a new Spirit signing dropped so you'll get to hear our live reactions to that breaking news!

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Track: Fungible — Hiracutch [Audio Library Release]

Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Watch: https://youtu.be/ILkTHxSNenI

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