In Washington Spirit signing news that you love to see, the club announced that it has agreed to a contract extension with 2025 NWSL Defender of the year, Tara Rudd (née McKeown). The new deal for the 26-year-old center back extends through the 2028 season, with club options for 2029 and 2030.

“This organization has believed in me from day one and I’m proud to represent this community and keep pushing to raise the standard and compete for championships with my teammates,” Rudd noted in the press release announcing her new contract. “D.C. has become my home and there’s no place I’d rather be. I cannot wait to continue to build on what we’ve started here and give our amazing fans a lot more to cheer for over the coming years.”

Haley Carter, President of Soccer Operations, said “Her growth into one of the premier defenders in this league speaks to what she puts in every single day, and we’re proud that our environment and support system have been part of that journey.” Rudd’s journey is one that continues to be one of the very best, and most rare, stories across women’s soccer.

Rudd joined the Spirit after being drafted 8th overall as a forward out of USC in the 2021 NWSL Draft. Tara entered the league as a productive forward for one if the best teams in women’s college soccer. She scored 33 goals and dished 28 assists in her career as a Trojan. In her final season, then-McKeown featured in attack alongside Croix Bethune, Penelope Hocking and Savannah DeMelo, and held her own with 8 goals and 8 assists.

Despite adding a respectable 4 goals and 4 assists in her first two seasons in the NWSL, she was asked to consider a move to center back ahead of the 2023 season. She decided to undertake the transformation, started the opening match in central defense, and never looked back. Rudd’s anticipation, acceleration and strength make her one of the best 1v1 defenders in the league, and her background as an attacker—and penchant for going on adventures beyond the defensive line—has led to her earning the nickname ‘Tara the Explorer.’

Rudd’s sustained and impressive performances have also made her a regular in USWNT’s camps, seemingly becoming a favorite of head coach Emma Hayes. This week Hayes announced the roster ahead of next month’s SheBelieves Cup games against Argentina, Canada and Colombia, with Rudd once again named among the list of defenders. This offseason she also earned the highly coveted Candy Corn Crown, as Hey Spirits‘ choice for 2025 MVP.

Tara has had an unprecedented journey toward becoming a stalwart presence in a backline that’s reached the NWSL Championship in back-to-back seasons, and we’re glad to see it continue.