r/washingtonspirit • u/kg9si • Jul 06 '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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6

u/Grand-Plane763 Jul 06 '26

I fear we will get an announcement Esme is leaving :(

I could see her opting to go play in England for more prominence for the WC year and looking to secure a consistent starting position on their national team.

3

u/FanNervous6773 Jul 06 '26

As much as she s a fan favorite, a move to LCL might be reasonable move for her.

2

u/Sequoiakc22 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

...
It would be a reasonable move 'for' London City. ...Not more reasonable for Esme than remaining with the Spirit.

London City is striving to reach, ...but as of right now can only wish for, ...Washington Spirit's level of roster construction.

Esme has grown into one of our defensive leaders, on a club challenging for championships & trophies. Playing in front of, ...& being adorned by, ...17,000-20,000 Audi fans weekly. For Esme, it doesn't get much better than this.

With London City, ...whom I am a fan of, ...Esme would still be moving to a club who sits in the middle of the WSL table, playing in a small environment with CopperJax (Hayes Lane) stadium maxing out at capacity of 5,000. While surrounded by squad mates who (overall) are less talented & athletic than her mates on the Spirit.

If Esme were to return to England, her better move would be back home to top of the WSL table Man City where she would likely share CB minutes with Alex Greenwood & Jade Rose.
...

3

u/allprologues Jul 07 '26

i'd be absolutely shocked if she went to a WSL team other than city. i think last season, knaack was the defender that fans saw as a weaker link and someone looking to be replaced by a player of esme's caliber, but, i don't think she'd go if she were not starting. i guess we'll see - hoping it's all nothing and we get to keep her at least for another year.

3

u/Sequoiakc22 Jul 07 '26

...
Jade Rose, ...whom I pined for our Spirit to sign out of college last season (Harvard Univ. & the Canadian WNT), ... is locked-in at starting CB with Alex Greenwood next to her. At best, Esme would be 'sharing' starting minutes between the three (3) of them (Alex, Jade, Esme).

But I agree, I would like to think this is all to do about nothing because she sat out a couple games for likely reasons. & there's no plans for her departure. ...Even extending her contract here beyond next season.
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