WASHINGTON, DC – A parade for Washington Spirit, the newly crowned champions of the National Women’s Soccer League, will take place – but not until the beginning of next season.
The club said Monday that this decision “allows our staff and players to take a much-deserved break for the holidays, and gives us time to plan a memorable party worthy of this championship team.”
This is the first trophy for the Spirit. The club was formed in 2011 as DC United Women and renamed the formation of the National Women’s Soccer League in 2012.
Washington beat the Chicago Red Stars in overtime on Saturday with a score of 2-1 in front of more than 10,300 people at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville.
Donald Wine II, a Spirit fan, traveled to Kentucky for the fight, saying the atmosphere was “terrific.”
“It was great to see so many fans for both Spirit, Red Stars and neutral fans there to support women’s football and the players on the pitch,” said Wine. “Credit goes to Louisville for being amazing hosts.”
Wine said he planned to travel to the fight before Spirit made it to the finals.
“My team that reached the final made it an even better experience, and winning it all was the icing on the cake,” he said.
Spirit Captain Andi Sullivan, a native of Norton, VA, scored for Washington after Chicago had already put one on the board. The American women’s national team, Kelley O’Hara, headed a post home from rising star Trinity Rodman in the 97th minute of the match. It was O’Hara’s first goal of the season.
“I’m really proud of this team,” O’Hara is quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “People have no idea what we’re all been through, and the resilience and perseverance of every single player on this team is pretty incredible.”
This was a season of challenges for the club and for the league as a whole. In September, Spirit head coach Richie Burke resigned and was then fired. The club initially said Burke had health issues and would be relocated to the front office when he recovered. So, after former players reported Burke harassed and verbally abused them in an article in the Washington Post, he was suspended. The spirit fired him after the league made an investigation.
Shortly afterwards and after much outcry from fans, CEO Steve Baldwin resigned and said he would sell his stake in the club. The Washington Post also reported that Spirit leaders knew about Burke’s behavior and did nothing.
A major study conducted by The Athletic revealed sexual and verbal harassment from coaches at several NWSL clubs.
Players have also fought for a union contract, the team has handled injuries and two matches were canceled due to COVID-19.
Wine said he is proud of the team, and credited Spirit supporters for having the players’ backs through the turbulent year.
“I think special praise should be given to Spirit’s supporter groups – Spirit Squadron, Rose Room Collective and 202 Unique – for how they have continued to push the difficult conversations that were necessary and still need to be had,” he said, ” and to provide endless support to the players on the pitch despite the difficult moments provided by former coaches, the front office and the league office as a whole. “
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