Washington Spirit released their start-of-season roster this afternoon, in anticipation of the season opener Friday night. Most of the 28-player roster are returning from last year’s squad, while newbies include a mix of players previously loaned to the Gainbridge Super League, experienced international players, and young players on short-term contracts.

The full roster is below, followed by some of our biggest takeaways from the announcement.

Roster

Goalkeepers (4): Kaylie Collins, Aubrey Kingsbury (ML), Sandy MacIver (INTL), Sara Wojdelko (LOAN)

Defenders (9): Gabby Carle, Lucia Di Guglielmo (INTL), Madison Haugen (STR), Casey Krueger (ML), Paige Metayer, Esme Morgan, Tara Rudd, Élisabeth Tsé (INTL), Kate Wiesner

Midfielders (7): Rebeca Bernal, Deborah Abiodun (INTL), Hal Hershfelt, Leicy Santos, Molly Skurcenski (STR), Heather Stainbrook (LOAN), Andi Sullivan

Forwards (8): Tamara Bolt (INTL), Sofia Cantore (INTL), Emma Gaines-Ramos, Ashley Hatch (ML), Rosemonde Kouassi, Claudia Martínez (INTL), Gift Monday (INTL), Trinity Rodman

Key: INTL (international), ML (maternity leave), SEI (season-ending injury), STR (short term replacement), LOAN (away on loan)

Andi Sullivan is back!

After over a year on the season-ending injury list, for both a knee injury and maternity leave, midfielder Andi Sullivan has been reactivated and could be available to play as soon as this week. While the Spirit managed well without her, Sullivan’s vision on the field will be a boost to the team’s performance, helping them to “solve” opposing defenses and maneuver themselves into more scoring opportunities. With Captain Aubrey Kingsbury now on maternity leave of her own (along with NWSL veterans Ashley Hatch and Casey Krueger), the team is also sorely in need of some experienced leadership, which Sullivan provides in spades.

International slot problems are resolved

When fans saw how many international players were being added in the offseason, some worried that the team would run up against the league’s rules limiting the number of internationals each team can field. Those rules allow for seven, and the Spirit had traded for one additional spot, but they had far more players

Enter Haley Carter, Washington’s new President of Soccer Operations. At Orlando Pride, she put an emphasis on securing green cards for as many players as possible, meaning they would no longer qualify as internationals under NWSL rules. She’s now done the same for Washington: Rebeca Bernal, Leicy Santos, Rose Kouassi, and (as we learned today) Esme Morgan all received green cards this offseason and have lost the “INTL” designation, making the team roster compliant.

A keeper shortage?

Keen-eyed readers may have spotted that their are only two active goalkeepers on this roster. Longtime starter Aubrey Kingsbury recently announced her pregnancy and has been officially given a season-ending injury designation, while rookie Sara Wojdelko is on loan to DC Power FC. This leaves only Sandy MacIver — the likely starter — and Kaylie Collins available to don the gloves for the season opener.

That could put the team in a tough spot in case of injury to either, but they’re not without options. Wojo’s loan only lasts through the end of Gainbridge Super League’s season in May, and the Spirit have retained the right to recall her if needed. It’s also been reported that she continues to train partially with Washington, so she should be prepared to step in.

Room for growth

While the roster has a lot of depth, it’s noticeably lacking in attacking midfielders. The team hasn’t made any signings since the departure of Croix Bethune, leaving Leicy Santos without an obvious back-up. The Spirit love to surprise with player transitions (think Tara Rudd from striker to center back or Paige Metayer from box-to-box mid to full back), but this roster shows a new signing is also a possibility. Only 23 of the players are active, short of the league maximum of 26, and the team should have the cap space and other contract mechanisms available for another signing or two. If the team is planning to go that route, though; they’ll need to hurry: the Primary Transfer Window closes next Monday, March 16.

Think we missed anything? Have any roster questions that went unanswered? Let us know in the comments!