It’s all led up to this. After a season (not to mention the previous years) of coaching changes and the hard work to create a consistent identity, Washington Spirit are playing their first playoff game since 2021 against expansion team Bay FC at Audi Field today.

Despite undergoing the upheaval of a mid-season coaching change when Jonatan Giráldez took over in July, the Spirit (18-2-6) finished second in the National Women’s Soccer League this year. This earned them a first-round playoff game at home. The latter half of Washington’s season was marked by injuries to a number of star players, but the team rallied and won their final three games, thanks in part to Giráldez’s strategy of rotating his starting lineup to ensure as many players as possible were game-ready. Though they’ve developed their quick passing and possession game under Giráldez, the Spirit remain a team of problem-solvers who are especially strong on the counterattack.

Their opponent, Bay FC (11-1-14), finished their first NWSL season in seventh place, having made a successful overhaul over the Olympic break. During that period, they brought in new players and switched from a heavy passing style to a more direct pragmatic one. Before the Olympics, they lost 10 0f 16 matches; since then they’ve only lost four. Giráldez described Bay as “less predictable now” than in the two early-season matches when Washington defeated them, and their current surge has many predicting they could pull off the only upset of the quarterfinal round. The California side have a number of talented players like forwards Racheal Kundananji and Assisat Oshoala and veteran defender Abby Dahlkemper to keep the Spirit on their toes and have had particular success on set pieces.

For more on the tactical and statistical differences between these teams, read André Carlisle’s analysis on Beyond the Vaudevillian Cane.

Anticipating a near sell-out crowd today, the Spirit will be looking to capitalize on the home field advantage. Player and coaches alike talk frequently about feeling energized by playing in front of the crowd at Audi Field, and the results support those claims. Washington have a record of 10-1-2 at home in Buzzard Point.

In preparation for today’s match, Giráldez said his team have developed a game plan to deal with Bay FC but were approaching the game like any other.

“It doesn’t matter what we did in the regular season, it doesn’t matter what we did yesterday… all that matters is game day and getting the job done,” Spirit forward Brittany Ratcliffe said.

Key Player: Trinity Rodman

Trinity Rodman has demonstrated her importance to Washington’s game throughout the season, from the disastrous season opener when she was suspended to last week when she took the first five shots to jump-start the Spirit’s attack. Setting aside the injured Croix Bethune, Rodman leads Spirit players with eight goals, six assists, and 14 goal-creating actions. Rodman’s still recovering from a back injury that kept her off the field for much of the fall, but her dynamism, athleticism, and ball-handling skills will be crucial to the team’s success today.

Watch Out For: Racheal Kundananji

Bay forward Racheal Kundananji showed how ready she was for the playoffs in Bay’s final match of the season, when she both scored a brace and issued a taunt for the ages to an opposing center back. In her first NWSL season, Kundananji has five goals and four assists. Giráldez described her as “very dangerous” and “on fire” in the lead-up to today’s match.

Challenges: After a series of injuries, Washington are heavily reliant on rookies, particularly in midfield. They’ll need to be on top of their game, both physically and mentally, to stand up to the pressure of the Bay and their first playoff match.

Previously: The Spirit won both of the previous contests between these teams, 2-1 in March and 3-0 in July.

Bay FC Availability:

Out: Jordan Brewster (lower leg), Caroline Conti (concussion), Savy King (leg), Alex Loera (knee – SEI), Melissa Lowder (knee – SEI)

Questionable: Princess (knee)

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Croix Bethune (SEI – knee), Lyza Bosselmann (SEI – wrist), Anna Heilferty (SEI – knee), Rosemonde Kouassi (suspension), Civana Kuhlmann (SEI – knee), Ouleymata Sarr (back), Andi Sullivan (SEI – knee)

Questionable: None

Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 12:30 p.m.
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva
Available TV: ABC