Spirit Squadron
LightNews LightNews
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
Spirit Squadron
@spiritsquadron.bsky.social
990 followers 210 following 510 posts
supporters group for the Washington Spirit
donate https://give.capitalareafoodbank.org/team/782134 ✉️ [email protected] 🔗 https://group.chant.fan/spiritsquadron/join
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
Spirit Squadron @spiritsquadron.bsky.social · 21d
We, and our fellow independent supporters groups, stand with the players.
We stand with the NWSLPA in its opposition to the High Impact Player (HIP) rule and urge the NWSL to negotiate with the Players Union as required by the collective bargaining agreement.  The criteria for HIP status put forth by the league are arbitrary and unjust, largely leaving the earning potential of NWSL players in the hands of media members. Moreover, the HIP rule creates two tiers of players, will impact USWNT player development, and does not account for international player success.  We condemn the NWSL’s persistent attempts to interfere with fair pay, and we call on all fans to show the league that we stand with the players:  • Block the NWSL on all social media platforms • Boycott of merchandise from the NWSL shop • Email your team and the league that you are opposed to the HIP rule and the league’s refusal to bargain with the NWSLPA
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
please email the league and your team, and let them know you stand with the players and oppose the HIP rule!
jeffkassouf.bsky.social Jeff Kassouf @jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 13h
BREAKING: The NWSLPA has formally filed a grievance against the #NWSL over the "unilateral implementation" of the High Impact Player rule, saying HIP violates the CBA and federal labor law. The PA is calling for the "immediate rescission" of the HIP rule.

More on @espn.com:
NWSLPA: 'Rodman rule' violates CBA, federal law
The NWSL Players Association has filed a grievance against the league arguing that the NWSL's creation of the new "High Impact Player" mechanism violates the CBA terms.
www.espn.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
jasondcsoccer.bsky.social
Shout out to Spirit goalkeeper Kaylie Collins.

bsky.app/profile/mort...
mortymo.bsky.social morgan @mortymo.bsky.social · 1d
we love Kaylie Collins in this household
Screenshot from Kaylie Collins’ Instagram story (black words on white background): “Women’s sports were built as a response to an exclusion, not as a weapon to enforce it.”
January 14, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
kcbluecrew.com
So proud of Becky, Imani Dorsey, Gabby Vincent, and others for speaking out. Three absolute leaders.

#TransPeopleBelong #TransPeopleBelongInSports
hornekerjustin.bsky.social Justin Horneker @hornekerjustin.bsky.social · 1d
Becky Sauerbrunn on Instagram, “I’m choosing to release this video today, January 13th, because right now the US Supreme Court is deliberating a case that could change the future of women’s sport.”

An important video:
January 13, 2026 at 9:32 PM
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
👻👻
iscsupporters.bsky.social ISC North America @iscsupporters.bsky.social · 1d
👋 If you or your group are going to Denver for our annual conference next week, share this post or respond with your fave emoji. Who are we going to see? 😊😎
January 13, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
washingtonspirit.com
Welcome to the Spirit, Élisabeth 💛

The Spirit has signed Élisabeth Tsé from club Le Havre 👏
January 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
kcbluecrew.com
Please donate to this vetted GFM to support Renee's wife and child. Not only will they have to worry about funeral expenses, but as the most powerful people in the country lie about her murder, her family will also probably face some legal costs.

gofund.me/4ec072e6a
January 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
districtpressdc.bsky.social
The 2025 Hey Spirits Awards winners have been announced. See the full breakdown of votes in each category here.
The 2025 Hey Spirits Awards: how our listeners voted
To celebrate Washington Spirit's phenomenal 2025 season, the Hey Spirits team asked fans to weigh in on who should win the 2025 Hey Spirits Awards, including Biggest Surprise, Goal and Assist of the Season, and MVP a.k.a "the Candy Corn Crown." See all the nominees and how listeners voted in each category below. Biggest Surprise In place of a Rookie or Newcomer of the Year Award, Hey Spirits asks, "Who was your biggest surprise this year?" Nominees included rookies, players joining from other leagues, and even a coach stepping into a new permanent role.
thedistrictpress.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
nwslplayers.bsky.social
“The league has a choice to make,” Burke told me. “They either need to cater to and protect teams unwilling to grow, or unlock potential. They can’t do both.”

www.newyorker.com/sports/sport...
Can Professional Women’s Soccer in the U.S. Keep Up with the Global Market?
The ability of the National Women’s Soccer League to retain Trinity Rodman, one of its biggest stars, could determine its future.
www.newyorker.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:55 AM
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who showed out this season ❤️

In 2025, we:
- Raised $2,145 for Mary's House for Older Adults
- Raised $18,514 for Capital Area Food Bank with @roseroomco.bsky.social
- Raised our voices in support of trans people and a free DC

We aren’t done. See you in 2026!
Black and white photo of supporters section holding signs that say “resist” and “run it back” and “rise up dc” Photo of capo Meredith holding a free dc sign, taken by Les Young Spirit squadron supporters for the first fan march of 2025 supporters section holding a trans flag card display
January 1, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
risswillett.bsky.social
@roseroomco.bsky.social and @spiritsquadron.bsky.social the section where you make forever friends. I went to more games this season than i ever have since being a fan. I spent this season getting my bearings and i can’t wait to the 2026 season to kick off to do bigger and better things!
December 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
washingtonspirit.com
Thank you, Courtney! 💛

Wishing you the best of luck back home in Utah! You will always be a part of the Spirit family!
December 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
shandonfan.bsky.social
This Christmas's family gingerbread structure had to be Rowdy Audi, one of the few places of pure joy for us this year. Bonus points if you can name the goal we tried to recreate.

(Hope we did the @spiritsquadron.bsky.social & @roseroomco.bsky.social et al. justice in the supporters' end.)
A gingerbread version of Audi Field during a Spirit game, with gummy bear fans and players A closer view of the supporters' section at a gingerbread version of Audi Field during a Washington Spirit game, with gummy bear fans and flags representing the national teams of all the Spirit players An aerial view of the pitch at the gingerbread version of Audi Field, with the green gummy bear players representing the Spirit and the red gummy bears representing the Thorns in a valiant attempt at recreating Trinity Rodman's first goal coming back from injury this season.
December 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
jasondcsoccer.bsky.social
Since Tatjana Haenni and NWSL parted ways in May, the league has not to my knowledge hired a Sporting Director or created an equivalent role to guide the league's sporting structure and direction.

This rule's glaring issues speak to that. It's a bad idea being executed poorly.
December 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
rachaelt.bsky.social
here’s a spreadsheet with everyone’s contact information! I highly recommend emailing the three people listed in the NWSL category and the person or people listed for your specific team. 😚
NWSL FO Contact Information
docs.google.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
kylie.hater.club
This, my friends, is backdoor union-busting by the NWSL. HIP basically strips agency and gains because players will feel pressure to perform through injury/health/personal matters so they don’t lose a spot on an arbitrary list. #nwsl
abigailsegel.bsky.social Abigail Segel @abigailsegel.bsky.social · 22d
Also, the criteria seems to disadvantage players who take significant time off due to injury, pregnancy, or mental health.
December 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
iscsupporters.bsky.social
Supporters and players move this game forward—together. ✊⚽️
December 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
bayfcsupporters.bsky.social
We have blocked the NWSL account and call on you all to do the same. Bye NWSL til you negotiate with NWSLPA 👋
NWSL Bluesky account shown as blocked with posts hidden.
December 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
We, and our fellow independent supporters groups, stand with the players.
We stand with the NWSLPA in its opposition to the High Impact Player (HIP) rule and urge the NWSL to negotiate with the Players Union as required by the collective bargaining agreement.  The criteria for HIP status put forth by the league are arbitrary and unjust, largely leaving the earning potential of NWSL players in the hands of media members. Moreover, the HIP rule creates two tiers of players, will impact USWNT player development, and does not account for international player success.  We condemn the NWSL’s persistent attempts to interfere with fair pay, and we call on all fans to show the league that we stand with the players:  • Block the NWSL on all social media platforms • Boycott of merchandise from the NWSL shop • Email your team and the league that you are opposed to the HIP rule and the league’s refusal to bargain with the NWSLPA
December 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
ellabrockway.bsky.social
So, if you’re an NWSL GM, you are not allowed to decide yourself — using all of the tools of a pro team’s front office — that a Player has a High-enough Impact to warrant a certain salary. But you *are* allowed to vote on a list that would determine that that Player has a High-enough Impact.

Sure.
lesleyryder.bsky.social Lesley Ryder @lesleyryder.bsky.social · 21d
The ESPN FC top 50 is here and we need to talk about the sudden conflict of interest the league has created with the high-impact player rule.

With coaches and GMs weighing in on these lists, they can influence whether or not their players can get a bag.

www.espn.com/soccer/story...
The espn top 50 voters: • Vlatko Andonovski (Kansas City Current sporting director; former U.S. national team coach) • Lesle Gallimore (Seattle Reign FC general manager; former University of Washington coach) • Mark Parsons (sporting director for Angel City FC; former coach of the Dutch national team, the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns) • Denise Reddy (assistant coach of the U.S. women's national team; former assistant at Chelsea and the Washington Spirit) • Antonio Contreras (head coach of Chivas; former head coach of Atletico Madiod and Real Betis) • Jimmy Coenraets (head coach of the Utah Royals; former head coach of Oud-Heverlee Leuven) • Yael Averbuch West (general manager of Gotham FC; former player for the U.S. national team) • Natalia Astrain (soccer commentator for ESPN's UEFA Women's Champions League coverage; former coach of FC Barcelona and the U17 USWNT) • Sam Mewis (commentator; former World Cup champion and NWSL champion with the USWNT and North Carolina Courage; No. 1 on FapN Fe Women's Rankin 20o1 • Emma Byrne (commentator; former UEFA Champions League winner with Arsenal and former member of Ireland national team) • Janelly Farías (commentator; former player for Mexico national team and Club América) • Cristina Alexander (commentator and host of Futbol W on ESPN+; former ESPN correspondent covering Mexican soccer) • Maria Tikas (journalist covering Spanish soccer for Sport) • Sophie Downey journalist covering WSL for The Guardian) • Ameé Ruszkai (journalist covering WSL and UWCL for Goal) • Suzy Wrack (journalist covering women's soccer at The Guardian) • Mayca Jiménez journalist covering soccer for Dazn; formerly AS and Relevo) • Samantha Lewis journalist covering women's soccer for The Guardian and ABC Australia) • Yash Thakur (ESPN journalist on women's soccer in Europe and the UK) • Angela Christian-Wilkes (co-host of ESPN Australia women's soccer podcast "The Far Post") • Marissa Lordanic (ESPN Australia editor and co-host of "The Far Post") • Audrey de Ridder (ESPN Netherlands editor, writer and presenter) • Emily Keogh (ESPN's lead journalist for UEFA
December 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
nwslplayers.bsky.social
NWSL Players Association Statement on League’s Unilateral Implementation of the High Impact Player Rule:
December 23, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
chicagolocal134.com
#BermanOut (and the rest of y'all causing these problems, but that's too long for a hashtag)
838carlisle.bsky.social andré @838carlisle.bsky.social · 22d
one thing that’s become very obvious about jessica berman’s nwsl is that owners would still much rather pay lawyers than players
jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social Jeff Carlisle @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social · 22d
Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL
December 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
We stand with the @nwslplayers.bsky.social.
jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social Jeff Carlisle @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social · 22d
Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL
December 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
womensgamemib.bsky.social
NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke breaks down the NWSL salary cap and how it applies to Trinity Rodman's deal 💰
December 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Spirit Squadron
roseroomco.bsky.social
#PayTrinityPayEveryone
Rose Room Collective applauds Michele Kang, The Washington Spirit, and Trinity Rodman on working and coming together to find a fair contract that is compliant within the leagues current CBA. Furthermore, we support the NWSLPA in their mission to stop the NWSL and Commissioner Berman's labor suppressive intervention and hinderance of Trinity Rodman's free agency rights and access to a contract that compensates her adequately. RRC calls on supporters groups and fans throughout the league to stand up for players rights. The best players deserve to be able to play here in the NWSL and be fairly compensated for their talent, expertise, and dedication to the game, without a second thought. The NWSL is supposed to be the standard-bearer for women's soccer and sport in the world and it's time for the conversation around fair pay to reflect that. Women's sports have evolved and so must the NWSL evolve too or fall further behind to irrelevancy. Our support is not a charity. #PayTrinityPayEveryone #NotTheAmateurWomensSoccerLeague
December 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
spiritsquadron.bsky.social
The Spirit Squadron’s statement on the ongoing negotiations regarding Trinity Rodman’s contract and the salary cap.
We are disappointed by the NWSL’s decision to veto the contract between Washington Spirit and Trinity Rodman, and we stand with the NWSLPA in opposition to the “HIP” rule. Such a rule will create two tiers of players: those who are considered “high impact” and those who are not, based on nebulous criteria. It will also allow the league to continue to interfere in negotiations between the players and the teams. Instead, we urge the league to adopt the NWSLPA’s proposal to raise the salary cap. Commissioner Berman has stated the league will “fight for” Trinity, but its actions demonstrate otherwise. The league’s actions so far undermine free agency, and they will suppress wages and harm the league’s growth. This is greater than one player and one team. Current and former NWSL players fought for years for adequate pay and the right to decide where they play. We will not go back.
December 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM