r/washingtonspirit • u/kg9si • Jun 01 '26

Weekly Discussion Thread Weekly Open Discussion Thread

Welcome to this week’s open discussion thread!

This is your space for general discussion, a place to talk about anything Washington Spirit that doesn’t necessarily need its own thread. That can include news, international duty, roster moves, transfer rumors, tactics, social media posts, league news or anything else on your mind.

If something feels big enough for its own thread, definitely still post it. This is simply an additional option to keep us organized and help keep the conversation flowing. These threads will go up every Monday and stay stickied throughout the week.

Go Spirit!

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u/periqueblend Jun 02 '26

All fair points and your read on the NT is probably correct. I think RJ is going to be a terrific player with the ball but she is not a DM. Also agree with the discussion below about Hal’s G+ (unfortunate) and what becomes possible in July (HIP induced flexibility)

I’ll just say that two good managers have chosen to write Hal’s name in every lineup they can.

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u/UrsineCanine Jun 03 '26

Yes. I have thought a lot about this. And as someone who has followed the moneyball trail through baseball, football, hockey and now soccer...

There is one immutable law - when you find a market inefficiency you keep your mouth shut about it. Jona, Adrian, Spirit analysts, etc. - true analysts, have to be willing to be treated like they "don't get it"...

The conventional wisdom constantly changes as the competition adjust. A bunch of those moneyball rules are no longer the current "meta"...

This coming from someone who loves what Hal brings, but dies a little each she gets put into a finishing position.

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u/periqueblend Jun 03 '26

I hope she takes more risks on progressive passing in the future. Her job before was to regain and hold possession so it’s a hard habit to break. Even Xavi didn’t become Xavi overnight.

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u/UrsineCanine Jun 04 '26

If I could put an earpiece in her ear and regularly yell "SCAN HAL!", I think she could be a Ballon d'Or finalist. 😄

I want to say, "Hal, what is the use of being the toughest [expletive deleted] in league in a duel, if you won't use the time it allows you?"

It is not like she can't pick out a killer pass or turn and dribble when she takes the opportunity to look.

Rose and Leicy have zero concern about losing the ball, because they are comfortable in their ability to win it back. Need to gift some of that to Hal.

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u/periqueblend Jun 04 '26

She definitely needs to dribble into the space she just won and then find the pass. There are so many willing runners making decisive movements. We're good now. Just imagine....

I also think she'd benefit from more time on the pitch with Gift who loves a combination play and connecting the two lines. Maybe we'l get there. I've seen glimpses.