The NWSL’s second annual free agency period kicks off at 12:01am, Monday, November 20, and this post will serve as your lone stop for all Washington Spirit free agency news. As deals are made and announced, Annie & André will drop in the who/where/what details, and possibly a little in-the-moment reaction, as a treat.
Last year the only free agents the Spirit managed to sign were players who were already with the team, and much of the same could happen this time around. Nicole Barnhart (GK), Amber Brooks (defender), Bayley Feist (midfielder) and Tori Huster (midfielder/fullback) are unrestricted free agents who can sign with any team offering them a contract straightaway. Camryn Biegalski (fullback/winger) and Marissa Sheva (midfielder) are restricted free agents, meaning the Spirit will have seven days to match any offer extended by another team.
11/20 – Roster Update
Thanks to a Monday deadline, we now know a little more about the Spirit’s roster for 2024. The Spirit’s update reveals that the club has 18 players under contract, six free agents, and three players being released to the waiver wire (or wherever else they want to sign outside of the NWSL).
Let’s get the sad news out of the way. Inés Jaurena, Nicole Douglas and Maddie Elwell have all been released. Jaurena is the most surprising name considering how the midfield struggled while she was out injured. Douglas was a 2023 draft pick, so to see her released so soon is also surprising. Elwell seemed to be a terrific locker room presence and vibe setter, and was embracing her new role as a left back.
The Spirit announced that they’ve exercised the 2024 option in Ashley Hatch‘s contract, keeping her here another season (bar a trade). The 2025 option in Trinity Rodman‘s contract has been exercised, and Andi Sullivan and Aubrey Kingsbury have had their 2026 options exercised as well.
Here are the 18 players currently under contract with the Spirit:
GKs: Aubrey Kingsbury, Lyza Bosselmann
Defenders: Sam Staab, Tara McKeown, Gabrielle Carle, Anaïg Butel, Anna Heilferty, Dorian Bailey
Midfielders: Andi Sullivan, Ashley Sanchez, Paige Metayer, Chloe Ricketts, Riley Tanner
Forwards: Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, Ouleymata Sarr, Lena Silano, Civana Kuhlmann
12:01am – 2024 NWSL FREE AGENCY HAS BEGUN
HAPPY NWSL FREE AGENCY TO ALL WHO CELEBRATE! There are some absolutely incredible talents who are eligible for free agency this offseason. The big star name is Crystal Dunn, who’s already posted that she’s leaving Portland. But the list still includes players like Rose Lavelle, Becky Sauerbrunn, Tierna Davidson, Sarah Gorden, Casey Krueger, Maria Sánchez and Mallory Swanson.
We don’t know who will go where, or if anyone will be coming to the Spirit, but we’re excited for the fun of it all! (No but seriously please Spirits sign someone cool and good and fun tysm.)
Coming Soon!
Like, real soon. At 12:01am ET on Monday, November 20th unrestricted free agents can officially begin signing with teams, and restricted free agents can receive offers from other teams, starting the seven day clock for their current club to match.
Without a coach in place to gauge the style or ‘new direction‘ the front office wants for the team, it’s tough to discern who the Spirit may pursue. Nevertheless they made a bold statement in parting ways with Mark Parsons after one season, and deepened the importance of an already important offseason. Winning free agency doesn’t guarantee success (see: 2023 KC Current), but the Spirit need to upgrade their midfield and add quality depth. Free agency is the only mechanism to secure proven NWSL talent without making trades.
Let’s (hopefully) get ready to welcome some new Spirits, shall we?