2016 Washington Spirit season
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football club season
| club = Washington Spirit
| season = 2016
| chrtitle = General manager
| chairman = Chris Hummer
| ceotitle = Owner
| ceo = Bill Lynch
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = Jim Gabarra
| stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
| league = NWSL
| league result = 2nd (finals loss)
| cup1 =
| cup1 result =
| cup2 =
| cup2 result =
| pattern_la1=
| pattern_b1 = _upper_v_red
| pattern_ra1 =
| leftarm1 = ff0000
| body1 = 2E3366
| rightarm1 = ff0000
| shorts1 = ff0000
| socks1 = ff0000
| pattern_la2 =
| pattern_b2 =
| pattern_ra2 =
| leftarm2 = ffffff
| body2 = ffffff
| rightarm2 = ffffff
| shorts2 = 2E3366
| socks2 = ffffff
| highest attendance = 5,750
(June 18 vs. Orlando Pride){{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/washington-spirit-and-orlando-pride-came-together-for-more-than-just-soccer/|title=Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride Came Together for More than Soccer|website=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=June 21, 2016|author=Andy Lohman}}
| lowest attendance = 2,930
(July 31 vs. Sky Blue FC)
| average attendance = 3,782{{Cite book|url=https://ussoccer.app.box.com/s/p58bqdab8s07o5oy9yr17zveesoghqd5|title=2016 NWSL Statistics|date=September 25, 2016|author=|publisher=National Women's Soccer League|format=PDF}}
| league topscorer = Estefania Banini (5)
| season topscorer = Estefania Banini (5)
| American = true
| prevseason = 2015
| nextseason = 2017
}}
The 2016 season was Washington Spirit's fourth season, competing in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.
Review
Building off the successes of the previous two playoff appearances the Spirit hired former Sky Blue FC manager, Jim Gabarra to replace Mark Parsons.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/10/14/jim-gabarra-named-coach-general-manager-of-washington-spirit/|title=Soccer Insider Jim Gabarra named coach, general manager of Washington Spirit|work=The Washington Post|author=Steven Goff|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2017}}
The Spirit would see their most successful season to date in 2016, being league leaders in the standings throughout most of the season. Only in the final week would the Spirit's loss at Chicago Red Stars finalize them as league runners-up.
Returning to the playoffs, the Spirit earned their first post-season victory in a revenge effort against Chicago Red Stars, who just a week earlier denied them the league title. The match was sent into extra time where Francisca Ordega scored the game-winner in the 111th minute. Advancing to the final for the first time in club history, the Spirit faced Western New York Flash in Houston, Texas.
The 2016 NWSL Final played to a 1–1 draw in regulation, and finished 2–2 at the end of extra time; both Spirit goals scored by Crystal Dunn. Going into penalties, Western New won 3–2 with only Christine Nairn and Katie Stengel slotting their penalties.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/nwsl/709232-washington-spirit-2016-nwsl-season-review.html|title=Washington Spirit 2016 NWSL season review|publisher=Vavel|author=Alexandra Grant|date=October 18, 2016|access-date=January 14, 2018}}
=National Anthem Protest=
The week prior to a match with the Spirit, Seattle Reign FC and U.S. women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem in a game on September 5, 2016, explaining that her decision was a "nod to Kaepernick and everything that he's standing for right now".{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/05/sport/megan-rapinoe-colin-kaepernick-anthem-kneel/index.html|title=Megan Rapinoe takes knee in solidarity with Kaepernick|first=Euan |last=McKirdy|publisher=CNN|access-date=September 7, 2016}} Anticipating Rapinoe's protest, Spirit owner Bill Lynch, moved the national anthem's performance ahead of the Spirit-Reign match without warning or notice to occur before the players' appearances on the pitch. Jeff Plush, the league's commissioner, was present at the game and told reporters that he was unaware of Lynch's plans and disagreed with the act of moving the anthem's performance.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/09/07/megan-rapinoe-doesnt-get-chance-to-kneel-for-national-anthem-it-was-played-with-teams-in-locker-room/?tid=a_inl|title=Megan Rapinoe doesn't get chance to kneel for national anthem. It was played with teams in locker room.|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016|work=The Washington Post|author=Steven Goff}} The Spirit's players issued a joint statement also disagreeing with Lynch's decision to move the anthem without first consulting the team's players or coaches.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/09/09/washington-spirit-players-unhappy-with-owners-anthem-move/|title=Washington Spirit players unhappy with owner's anthem move|author=Steven Goff|work=The Washington Post|date=September 9, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016}}
Club
=Roster=
The first-team roster of Washington Spirit.{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/teams/washington-spirit/|title=Washington Spirit|publisher=washingtonspirit.com}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs_player|no=1|nat=CAN|pos=GK|name=Stephanie Labbé}} (FP)
{{Fs_player|no=3|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Caprice Dydasco}}
{{Fs_player|no=4|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Megan Oyster}}
{{Fs_player|no=5|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Whitney Church}}
{{Fs_player|no=6|nat=CAN|pos=DF|name=Shelina Zadorsky}} (FP)
{{Fs_player|no=7|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Christine Nairn}}
{{Fs_player|no=8|nat=CAN|pos=MF|name=Diana Matheson}} (FP)
{{Fs_player|no=10|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=Estefania Banini}}
{{Fs_player|no=11|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Ali Krieger (captain)}} (FP)
{{Fs_player|no=12|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Katie Stengel}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs_player|no=14|nat=NGA|pos=FW|name=Francisca Ordega}}
{{Fs_player|no=15|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Joanna Lohman}}
{{Fs_player|no=17|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Cali Farquharson}}
{{Fs_player|no=18|nat=USA|pos=GK|name=Kelsey Wys}}
{{Fs_player|no=19|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Crystal Dunn}} (FP)
{{Fs_player|no=20|nat=USA|pos=FW|name=Cheyna Williams}}
{{Fs_player|no=22|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Alyssa Kleiner}}
{{Fs_player|no=23|nat=USA|pos=MF|name=Tori Huster}}
{{Fs_player|no=24|nat=CMR|pos=DF|name=Estelle Johnson}}
{{Fs_player|no=57|nat=ESP|pos=FW|name=Laura del Rio}}
{{Fs end}}
- (FP) = Federation player
= Team management =
| class="wikitable" |
| {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Owner |s=Bill Lynch}}
{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=General Manager |s= Jim Gabarra}} {{Fb cs staff |bg= |p=Head Coach |s= Jim Gabarra}} |
Competitions
= Preseason =
On January 26, the Washington Spirit announced its preseason schedule.{{Cite web|url=http://nwslsoccer.com/home/905196.html|title=SPIRIT ANNOUNCE 2016 PRESEASON SCHEDULE; Washington to play UVA, PSU, UNC, and Duke|publisher=nwslsoccer.com|access-date=February 14, 2016}}
{{footballbox collapsible
|date = {{dts||3|19}}, Sat
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|round =
|score = 3–0
|goals1 = Banini {{goal|3||15}}
Stengel {{goal|38}}
|goals2 =
|team2 = University of Virginia
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland Soccerplex
|attendance =
|referee =
|result = w
|note = Played in three 30-minute periods.
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date = {{dts||3|26}}, Sat
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|round =
|score = 2–0
|goals1 = Dunn {{goal|47}}
Nairn {{goal|73}}
|goals2 =
|team2 = Pennsylvania State University
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland Soccerplex
|attendance = 3,000
|referee =
|result = w
}}
= Regular season =
{{footballbox collapsible
|date = Sat Apr 16
|time = 7:00 p.m.
|round = 1
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 1–0
|team2 = Boston Breakers
|goals1 = Lohman {{goal|3}}
Oyster {{yel|86}}
|goals2 =
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,578
|referee = Margaret Domka
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sun Apr 24
|time =
|round = 2
|team1 = Sky Blue FC
|score = 1–2
|goals1 = Hayes {{goal|66|Lytle}}
O'Hara {{yel|74}}
|goals2 = Krieger {{goal|40|Huster}}
Zadorsky {{yel|46+}}
Matheson {{goal|56|Dunn}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|location = Piscataway, New Jersey
|stadium = Yurcak Field
|attendance = 2,571
|referee = Matthew Kreitzer
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Fri Apr 29
|time =
|round = 3
|team1 = Western New York Flash
|score = 0–3
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-remains-undefeated-after-3-0-win-over-western-new-york-flash/|title=Spirit Remains Undefeated After 3-0 Win Over Western New York Flash|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=May 8, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.wnyflash.com/news/?article_id=379|title=Match Recap: Flash Fall 3-0, Despite Strong ShowingMatch Recap: Flash Fall 3-0, Despite Strong Showing|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=May 8, 2016}}
|goals1 = Eddy {{yel|80}}
|goals2 = Matheson {{goal|4|Dunn|72|p.k.}}
Eddy {{goal|82|o.g.}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|location = Rochester, New York
|stadium = Sahlen's Stadium
|attendance = 3,615
|referee = Matthew Franz
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat May 7
|time =
|round = 4
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 0–0
|team2 = Portland Thorns FC
|goals1 = Oyster {{yel|17}}
|goals2 = Sonnett {{yel|28}}
Heath {{sent off|2|59|88}}
Horan {{yel|95+}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,615
|referee = Matthew Franz
|result = D
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat May 14
|time =
|round = 5
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 1–0
|report = [http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-remains-undefeated-with-1-0-win-over-houston-dash/ Report]
|team2 = Houston Dash
|goals1 = Lohman {{goal|39|Nairn}}
Kleiner {{yel|66}}
Krieger {{yel|89}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,545
|referee = Elvis Mahmutovic
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat May 21
|time =
|round = 6
|team1 = Portland Thorns FC
|score = 4–1
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/washington-spirit-falls-to-portland-thorns-on-the-road/|title=Washington Spirit Falls to Portland Thorns On the Road|publisher=washingtongspirit.com|access-date=May 22, 2016|date=2016-05-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/05/21/nwsl-match-recap-portland-thorns-fc-4-washington-spirit-1
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524084628/http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/05/21/nwsl-match-recap-portland-thorns-fc-4-washington-spirit-1
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=May 24, 2016
|title=NWSL MATCH RECAP|publisher=Thorns FC|access-date=May 22, 2016|date=2016-05-22}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Horan {{goal|27|Heath}} {{yel|76}}
Own Goal {{goal|31|Kleiner}}
Heath {{goal|45|Sinclair}}
Morris {{goal|78|unassisted}} {{yel|60}}
Sonnett {{yel|32}}
Nadim {{yel|61}}
|goals2 = Lohman {{goal|55|Dunn}}
Nairn {{yel|61}}
|stadium = Providence Park
|location = Portland, Oregon, U.S.
|attendance = 15,823
|referee = Ekaterina Koroleva
|result = L
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Fri May 27
|time =
|round =
|team1 = Houston Dash
|score = PPD
|report =
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|location = Houston, Texas
|stadium = BBVA Compass Stadium
|attendance =
|referee =
|result = P
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Fri Jun 10
|time =
|round = 7
|team1 = Boston Breakers
|score = 1–1
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-settles-for-1-1-draw-on-the-road-against-boston-breakers/|title=Spirit Settles for 1-1 Draw on the Road Against Boston Breakers|publisher=washingtonspirir.com|access-date=June 11, 2016|date=2016-06-11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/home/918245.html|title=Breakers come back to tie the Washington Spirit|publisher=bostonbreakers.com|access-date=June 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807091151/http://www.bostonbreakerssoccer.com/home/918245.html|archive-date=August 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Louise Schillgard {{goal|15|pen.}}
|goals2 = Katie Stengel {{goal|13}}
|location = Boston, Massachusetts
|stadium = Jordan Field
|attendance = 4,007
|referee = Margaret Domka
|result = D
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jun 18
|time =
|round = 8
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 2–0
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news-2/early-surge-pushes-spirit-past-pride-2-0|title=EARLY SURGE PUSHES SPIRIT PAST PRIDE, 2-0|publisher=National Women's Soccer League|access-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915153649/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news-2/early-surge-pushes-spirit-past-pride-2-0|archive-date=September 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}
|goals1 = Estefania Banini {{goal|9|Alyssa Kleiner}}
Francisca Ordega {{goal|40|unassisted}}
|team2 = Orlando Pride
|location = Germantown, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 5,750
|referee = Christopher Spivey
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jun 25
|time =
|round = 9
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 1–2
|team2 = Sky Blue FC
|goals1 = Diana Matheson {{goal|77|Estefania Banini}}
|goals2 = Raquel Rodriguez {{goal|8|Leah Galton}}
Samantha Kerr {{goal|64|Leah Galton}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,448
|referee = Leszek Stalmach
|result = L
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jul 2
|time =
|round = 10
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 2–0
|goals1 = Francisca Ordega {{goal|79}}
Tori Huster {{goal|85}}
|team2 = FC Kansas City
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,036
|referee = Karen Abt
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jul 9
|time =
|round = 11
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 2–0
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://chicagoredstars.com/chicago-drops-2-0-decision-away-to-washington/|title=Chicago Drops 2-0 Decision Away to Washington|publisher=chicagorestars.com|access-date=July 10, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/washington-spirit-defeats-chicago-red-stars-2-0/|title=Washington Spirit defeats Chicago Red Stars 2-0|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=July 10, 2016|date=2016-07-10}}
|team2 = Chicago Red Stars
|goals1 = Estefania Banini {{goal|24|Francisca Ordega}}
Francisca Ordega {{yel|47}}
Katie Stengel {{goal|74|Christine Nairn}}
|goals2 = Alyssa Mautz {{yel|42}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 3,631
|referee = Brandon Artis
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jul 16
|time =
|round = 12
|team1 = FC Kansas City
|score = 2–3
|goals1 = Frances Silva {{goal|69|Erika Tymrak}}
Shea Groom {{goal|91+}}
|goals2 = Estefania Banini {{goal|48+|unassisted|83|unassisted}}
Joanna Lohman {{goal|58|unassisted}}
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://nwslsoccer.com/washington-earns-3-2-win-over-kansas-city|title=WASHINGTON EARNS 3-2 WIN OVER KANSAS CITY|publisher=nwslsoccer.com|access-date=August 6, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/banini-brace-lifts-spirit-over-fc-kansas-city-3-2/|title=Banini Brace Lifts Spirit Over FC Kansas City 3-2|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=August 6, 2016|date=2016-07-17}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Swope Soccer Village
|attendance = 2,013
|referee = Elvis Mahmutovic
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jul 23
|time =
|round = 13
|team1 = Sky Blue FC
|score = 1–0
|goals1 = Leah Galton {{goal|24|Erin Simon}}
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://nwslsoccer.com/news-2/sky-blue-fc-shut-out-spirt-1-0-at-home|title=SKY BLUE FC SHUT OUT SPIRT, 1-0, AT HOME|publisher=nwslsoccer.com|access-date=August 6, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-falls-to-sky-blue-fc-1-0-on-the-road/|title=Spirit Falls to Sky Blue FC 1-0 on the Road|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=August 6, 2016|date=2016-07-24}}
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|location = Piscataway, New Jersey
|stadium = Yurcak Field
|attendance = 1,552
|referee = Matthew Kreitzer
|result = L
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Jul 30
|time =
|round = 14
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 3–1
|report = {{Cite web|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news-2/spirit-defeats-sky-blue-fc-3-1-to-remain-tied-at-top-of-the-table|title=SPIRIT DEFEATS SKY BLUE FC, 3-1, TO REMAIN TIED AT TOP OF THE TABLE|publisher=chicagorestars.com|access-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921020040/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/news-2/spirit-defeats-sky-blue-fc-3-1-to-remain-tied-at-top-of-the-table|archive-date=September 21, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-defeats-sky-blue-3-1-to-to-remain-tied-at-the-top-of-the-nwsl-table/|title=Spirit Defeats Sky Blue 3-1 to Remain Tied at the Top of the NWSL Table|publisher=washingtonspirit.com|access-date=August 6, 2016|date=2016-07-31}}
|team2 = Sky Blue FC
|goals1 = Estefania Banini {{goal|27|Joanna Lohman}}
Cheyna Williams {{goal|39|Caprice Dydasco}}
Alyssa Kleiner {{goal|95+|unassisted}}
|goals2 = Tasha Kai {{goal|33|unassisted}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 2,930
|referee = Victor Rivas
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Thu Aug 18
|time =
|round = 15
|team1 = Houston Dash
|score = 1–2
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Christine Nairn {{goal|30|pk|63|unassisted}}
|goals2 = Kealia Ohai {{goal|90|Stephanie Ochs}}
|location = Houston
|stadium = BBVA Compass Stadium
|attendance = 5,012
|note = rescheduled from May 27
|referee = Christina Unkel
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Fri Aug 26
|time =
|round = 16
|team1 = Orlando Pride
|score = 1–2
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Toni Pressley {{yel|28}}
Sarah Hagen {{goal|71|Cami Levin}}
|goals2 = Ali Krieger {{yel|35}}
Cheyna Williams {{goal|37|Caprice Dydasco}}
Christine Nairn {{goal|57|Katie Stengel}}
|stadium = Camping World Stadium
|location = Orlando, Florida
|attendance = 7,052
|referee = Marco Vega
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Sep 3
|time =
|round = 17
|team1 = Washington Spirit
||score = 1–1
|team2 = Western New York Flash
|goals1 = Katie Stengel {{goal|64|Crystal Dunn}}
Diana Matheson {{yel|85}}
|goals2 = Elizabeth Eddy {{yel|40}}
Samantha Mewis {{goal|86|unassisted}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 4,527
|referee = Chris Spivey
|result = D
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Wed Sep 7
|time =
|round = 18
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|score = 2–1
|team2 = Seattle Reign FC
|goals1 = Crystal Dunn {{goal|50+}}
Cheyna Williams {{goal|62}}
|goals2 = Kim Little {{goal|70|penalty}}
Kendall Fletcher {{yel|74}}
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|attendance = 3,039
|referee = Guido Gonzalez Jr.
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sun Sep 11
|time =
|round = 19
|team1 = Seattle Reign FC
|score = 2–0
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Yanez {{goal|27}}
Winters {{goal|78}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Memorial Stadium
|location = Seattle, Washington
|attendance = 4,711
|referee = Greg Dopka
|result = L
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|date= Sat Sep 24
|time =
|round = 20
|team1 = Chicago Red Stars
|score = 3–1
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Christen Press {{goal|6|Vanessa DiBernardo}}
Cara Walls {{goal|26|Sofia Herta}}
Sofia Huerta {{goal|46|unassisted}}
|goals2 = Crystal Dunn {{goal|47|unassisted}}
|location = Bridgeview, Illinois
|stadium = Toyota Park
|attendance = 3,712
|referee = Matthew Franz
|result = L
}}
== Regular-season standings ==
{{2016 National Women's Soccer League season|showteam=WAS}}
==Results summary==
{{Fb rs |hw=7 |hd=2 |hl=1 |hgf=15 | hga=5 |aw=5 |ad=1 |al=4 |agf=15 |aga=16 }}
{{Fb rs footer|u=September 11, 2016|s=Match reports|date=September 2016}}
{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b
|header=Round
|label1= {{tooltip|Stadium|opponent, date, score}}
| res1={{tooltip|H|Boston Breakers, April 16, 1–0}}
/{{tooltip|A|Sky Blue FC, April 24, 1–2}}
/{{tooltip|A|Western New York Flash, April 29, 0–3}}
/{{tooltip|H|Portland Thorns FC, May 7, 0–0}}
/{{tooltip|H|Houston Dash, May 14, 1-0}}
/{{tooltip|A|Portland Thorns FC, May 21, 4-1}}
/{{tooltip|A|Boston Breakers, June 10, 1–1}}
/{{tooltip|H|Orlando Pride, June 18, 20, 2–0}}
/{{tooltip|H|Sky Blue FC, June 25, 1–2}}
/{{tooltip|H|FC Kansas City, July 2, 2–0}}
/{{tooltip|H|Chicago Red Stars, July 9, 2–0}}
/{{tooltip|A|FC Kansas City, July 16, 2–3}}
/{{tooltip|A|Sky Blue FC, July 23, 1–0}}
/{{tooltip|H|Sky Blue FC, July 30, 3–1}}
/{{tooltip|A|Houston Dash, August 18, 1–2}}
/{{tooltip|A|Orlando Pride, August 26, 1–2}}
/{{tooltip|H|Western New York Flash, September 3, 1–1}}
/{{tooltip|H|Seattle Reign FC, September 7, 2–1}}
/{{tooltip|A|Seattle Reign FC, September 11, 2–0}}
/{{tooltip|A|Chicago Red Stars, September 24, 3–1}}
|label2= Result
| res2=W /W /W /D /W /L /D /W /L /W/W /W /L /W /W /W /W /W /L /L
|label3= Position{{refn|group=n|Washington Spirit's position in the league at the end of match day}}
| res3=3 /2 /1 /1 /1 /1 /1 /2 /3 /3/3 /2 /2 /2 /1 /1 /1 /1 /1 /2
|text_H=Home|text_A=Away
|color_W=green2|text_W=Win
|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw
|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss
|color_1=1st|color_2=2nd|color_3=3rd|color_18-=red1
|updated=September 24, 2016
|source=Match reports
|date=September 2016
}}
=NWSL Playoffs=
{{footballbox collapsible
|format = 1
|date = Fri Sept 30 7:00 pm CDT
|time = 19:00 UTC-05
|round = NWSL Playoffs Semifinal
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|team2 = Chicago Red Stars
|aet = yes
|score = 2–1
|goals1 = Krieger {{goal|36|Zadorsky}}
Nairn {{yel|57}}
Ordega {{goal|111|Christine Nairn}}
|goals2 = Press {{goal|74|Short}}
Johnson {{yel|120+2}}
|location = Boyds, Maryland
|stadium = Maryland SoccerPlex
|attendance = 4,249
|referee = Danielle Chesky
|result = W
}}{{footballbox collapsible
|format = 1
|date = Sun Oct 9 4:00 pm CDT
|time = 16:00 UTC-05
|round = 2016 NWSL Championship
|report = [http://www.nwslsoccer.com/western-new-york-flash-win-2016-nwsl-championship Report]
|score = 2–2
|aet = yes
|penaltyscore = 3–2
|team1 = Western New York Flash
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 = Mewis {{goal|14|Williams}}
Zerboni {{yel|84}}
Williams {{goal|124+|McDonald}}
|goals2 = Dunn {{goal|9|Oyster}} {{goal|91|Krieger}}
Wys {{yel|122+}}
|penalties1 = Dahlkemper {{pengoal}}
Hinkle {{pengoal}}
McDonald {{penmiss}}
Williams {{pengoal}}
Mewis {{penmiss}}
|penalties2 = {{penmiss}} Krieger
{{pengoal}} Nairn
{{pengoal}} Stengel
{{penmiss}} Huster
{{penmiss}} Matheson
|stadium = BBVA Compass Stadium
|location = Houston, Texas
|attendance = 8,255
|referee = Christina Unkel
|result = D
}}
Squad statistics
Source: NWSL
Squad statistics are of regular season only
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| {{Tooltip|N|Jersey number}} | {{Tooltip|Pos|Playing position}} | {{Tooltip|Player|Player's name}} | {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} | {{Tooltip|GS|Games started}} | {{Tooltip|Min|Minutes played}} | {{Tooltip|G|Goals scored}} | {{Tooltip|A|Assists provided}} | {{Tooltip|PK|Penalty kick taken}} | {{Tooltip|Shot|Shots at goal}} | {{Tooltip|SOG|Shots on goal}} | {{Tooltip|SOG%|Shot on goal percentage}} | {{Tooltip|Cro|Crosses provided}} | {{Tooltip|CK|Corner kicks taken}} | {{Tooltip|Off|Offsides}} | {{Tooltip|Foul|Fouls committed}} | {{Tooltip|FS|Fouls suffered}} | {{Tooltip|YC|Yellow cards}} | {{Tooltip|RC|Red cards}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | F | Estefania Banini | 13 | 9 | 888 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 12 | 52% | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Whitney Church | 11 | 7 | 610 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Crystal Dunn | 13 | 12 | 1142 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 14 | 38% | 2 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Caprice Dydasco | 12 | 12 | 1080 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 43% | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | Cali Farquharson | 16 | 8 | 561 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Tori Huster | 19 | 19 | 1665 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 31% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | Line Jensen | 3 | 2 | 141 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | Estelle Johnson | 11 | 11 | 990 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | Alyssa Kleiner | 17 | 12 | 1115 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | DF | Ali Krieger | 15 | 14 | 1267 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 33% | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 | GK | Stephanie Labbe | 8 | 8 | 720 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | Joanna Lohman | 20 | 17 | 1535 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 14 | 47% | 1 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Diana Matheson | 12 | 9 | 800 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 67% | 0 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Christine Nairn | 20 | 18 | 1619 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 37 | 13 | 35% | 9 | 85 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | Francisca Ordega | 13 | 7 | 629 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 12 | 67% | 0 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Megan Oyster | 15 | 15 | 1340 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | FW | Katie Stengel | 19 | 10 | 928 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 10 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | Cheyna Williams | 17 | 8 | 779 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | GK | Kelsey Wys | 12 | 12 | 1080 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Shelina Zadorsky | 11 | 10 | 911 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| class=sortbottom style="font-weight:bold;"
|colspan=3|Team total | 20 | — | 19800 | 30 | 16 | 2 | 249 | 109 | 44% | 27 | 116 | 48 | 139 | 165 | 13 | 0 |
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" | |||||||||||||||
| {{Tooltip|N|Jersey number}} | {{Tooltip|Pos|Playing position}} | {{Tooltip|Goal keeper|Goal keeper's name}} | {{Tooltip|GP|Games played}} | {{Tooltip|GS|Games started}} | {{Tooltip|Min|Minutes played}} | {{Tooltip|GA|Goals against total}} | {{Tooltip|GA/G|Goals against per game}} | {{Tooltip|PKA|Penalty against}} | {{Tooltip|PKF|Penalty kick faced}} | {{Tooltip|Shot|Shots at goal}} | {{Tooltip|SOG|Shots on goal}} | {{Tooltip|Sav|Saves made}} | {{Tooltip|Sav%|Save percentage}} | {{Tooltip|YC|Yellow cards}} | {{Tooltip|RC|Red cards}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Stephanie Labbe | 8 | 8 | 720 | 7 | 0.88 | 0 | 1 | 71 | 30 | 24 | 80% | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | GK | Kelsey Wys | 12 | 12 | 1080 | 14 | 1.17 | 2 | 2 | 163 | 75 | 61 | 81% | 0 | 0 |
| class=sortbottom style="font-weight:bold;"
|colspan=3|Team total | 20 | — | 1800 | 21 | 1.05 | 2 | 3 | 234 | 105 | 85 | 81% | 0 | 0 |
Transfers
= In =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:90%; text-align:center; font-size:95%; text-align:left;" |
| style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|No.
! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|Pos. ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:200px;"|Player ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:200px;"|Transferred from ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:150px;"|Fee/notes ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:150px;"|Date ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|Source |
|---|
| 12
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Stengel, Katie|{{flagicon|USA}} Katie Stengel}} |{{flag icon|GER}} FC Bayern Munich |Signed |{{dts|December 30, 2015}} |
| 20
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Williams, Cheyna|{{flagicon|USA}} Cheyna Williams}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Florida State |2016 NWSL College Draft - 1st Round |{{dts|January 19, 2016}} |{{cite web|title=2016 NWSL Draft Results: Sonnett goes No. 1 |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2016/01/15/2016-nwsl-college-draft-results/|publisher=The Equalizer|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
| 17
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Farquharson, Cali|{{flagicon|USA}} Cali Farquharson}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Arizona State |2016 NWSL College Draft - 2nd Round |{{dts|January 19, 2016}} |
| 1
|align=center|{{sort|1|GK}} |{{sort|Labbé, Stephanie|{{flagicon|CAN}} Stephanie Labbé}} |{{flag icon|SWE}} KIF Örebro |NWSL Player Allocation and trade for DaCosta |{{dts|February 2, 2016}} |
| 6
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Zadorsky, Shelina|{{flagicon|CAN}} Shelina Zadorsky}} |{{flag icon|SWE}} Vittsjö GIK |NWSL Player Allocation |{{dts|February 2, 2016}} |
| 22
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Kleiner, Alyssa|{{flagicon|USA}} Alyssa Kleiner}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Portland Thorns FC |Trade for Reynolds |{{dts|February 2, 2016}} |
| 14
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Jensen, Line|{{flagicon|DEN}} Line Jensen}} |{{flag icon|DEN}} Fortuna Hjørring |Signed |{{dts|July 13, 2016}} |{{cite web|title=Washington Spirit Signs Danish International Line Sigvardsen Jensen |url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/washington-spirit-signs-danish-international-line-sigvardsen-jensen/|publisher=Washington Spirit|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
= Out =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:90%; text-align:center; font-size:95%; text-align:left;" |
| style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|No.
! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|Pos. ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:200px;"|Player ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:200px;"|Transferred to ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:150px;"|Fee/notes ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:150px;"|Date ! style="color:white; background:#D52635; width:25px;"|Source |
|---|
| 17
|align=center|{{sort|1|MF}} |{{sort|Pérez, Verónica|{{flagicon|MEX}} Verónica Pérez}} |{{flag icon|AUS}} Canberra United | |{{dts|September 17, 2016}} |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/wleague-canberra-united-signs-mexican-womens-national-team-captain-veronica-perez-20150917-gjomx8.html|publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald|author=Lee Gaskin|date=September 17, 2015|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
| 12
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Chukwunonye, Josephine|{{flagicon|NGR}} Josephine Chukwunonye}} |{{flag icon|SWE}} Vittsjö GIK |Waived |{{dts|December 22, 2015}} |{{cite web|title=Spirit Waives Defender Josephine Chukwunonye |url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-waives-defender-josephine-chukwunonye/|publisher=Washington Spirit|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
| 25
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Ngozi, Okobi|{{flagicon|NGR}} Ngozi Okobi}} |{{flag icon|SWE}} Vittsjö GIK |Waived |{{dts|January 6, 2016}} |{{cite web|title=Spirit Waives Forward Ngozi Sonia Okobi |url=http://washingtonspirit.com/pro/spirit-waives-forward-ngozi-sonia-okobi/|publisher=Washington Spirit|date=January 6, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
| 2
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Reynolds, Katherine|{{flagicon|USA}} Katherine Reynolds}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Portland Thorns FC |Trade for Kleiner |{{dts|February 2, 2016}} |
| 16
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Weimer, Tiffany|{{flagicon|USA}} Tiffany Weimer}} |{{flag icon|USA}} FC Kansas City |Waived |{{dts|March 31, 2016}} |
| 22
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Romero, Arianna|{{flagicon|MEX}} Arianna Romero}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Seattle Reign |NWSL Distribution Draft |{{dts|March 31, 2016}} |
| 20
|align=center|{{sort|1|FW}} |{{sort|Raso, Hayley|{{flagicon|AUS}} Hayley Raso}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Portland Thorns FC |Waived |{{dts|April 11, 2016}} |
| 22
|align=center|{{sort|1|MF}} |{{sort|DaCosta, Amanda|{{flagicon|USA}} Amanda DaCosta}} |{{flag icon|USA}} Chicago Red Stars |Trade for draft pick and Labbé |{{dts|April 16, 2016}} |
| 28
|align=center|{{sort|1|DF}} |{{sort|Skogerboe, Jennifer|{{flagicon|USA}} Jennifer Skogerboe}} |{{flag icon|CZE}} FC Slovácko | | |{{cite web|title=Red Stars Acquire Amanda Da Costa and 2017 Draft Pick |url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2016/07/01/thorns-fc-sign-defender-jennifer-skogerboe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704173613/http://www.timbers.com/post/2016/07/01/thorns-fc-sign-defender-jennifer-skogerboe|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2016|publisher=Portland Timbers|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=May 14, 2017}} |
Honors and awards
=NWSL Yearly Awards=
==NWSL Team of the Year==
| class="wikitable" |
| Team
! Position ! Player ! Ref. |
|---|
| Second XI
| Defender |{{flagicon|USA}} Ali Krieger |{{cite web|title= National Women's Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI |url=https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/726063558480543745|publisher=NWSL|website=Chicago Red Stars|access-date=April 30, 2019}} |
| Second X1
| Forward | {{flagicon|USA}} Crystal Dunn | {{cite web|title= National Women's Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI |url=https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/726063558480543745|publisher=NWSL|website=Chicago Red Stars|access-date=April 30, 2019}} |
==[[NWSL Player of the Month]]==
| class="wikitable" |
| Month
! Player ! Month's Statline ! Ref. |
|---|
| July
| {{flagicon|ARG}} Estefanía Banini | 4 goals; Spirit 4-1-0 in July |
=[[2016 National Women's Soccer League season#Weekly awards|NWSL Weekly Awards]]=
==[[NWSL Player of the Week]]==
| class="wikitable" |
| Week
! Result ! Player ! Ref. |
|---|
| 13
| {{Won}} |{{flagicon|ARG}} Estefanía Banini |
==[[NWSL Goal of the Week]]==
| class="wikitable" |
| Week
! Result ! Player ! Ref. |
|---|
| 2
| {{Won}} |{{flagicon|USA}} Ali Krieger |
| 13
| {{Won}} | {{flagicon|ARG}} Estefanía Banini |
| 16
| {{Won}} | {{flagicon|USA}} Christine Nairn |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
;Match reports (preseason)
{{reflist|group=p}}
;Match reports (regular season)
{{reflist|group=m|colwidth=35em}}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://washingtonspirit.com}}
{{Washington Spirit}}
{{National Women's Soccer League}}
{{2016 NWSL season by team}}
{{2016 in American soccer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 Washington Spirit Season}}