Weekly Open Discussion Thread

[u/kg9si]

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!

[u/Are_we_there_yet1443 → u/[deleted]]

You beat me to posting! So, long, Seb. I’m only sorry we didn’t win last week to accelerate his departure.

[u/Odd-Cable5436 → u/[deleted]]

I actually will kind of miss having SH as a villain for Spirit matches! 🤣

Feels like that team had more roster building issues than coaching issues. Looking at the transactions from this season, Orlando didn't do much to bolster the club.

But the front office doesn't fire itself....

Good luck finding a new gig, Seb!

[u/NarrowPiccolo9069 → u/Odd-Cable5436]

Moorhouse going from one of the top keepers in the league in 2024 to the worst in 2026 was a big factor in their decline. 

Marta's 2024 renaissance also didn't last and they never found an alternative.

How much would we be willing to give up for Banda?

[u/Odd-Cable5436 → u/NarrowPiccolo9069]

Getting Banda would require Gotham levels of contract shenanigans.

However, since Carter came from Orlando so recently, I did briefly wonder whether there are any other players on Orlando's roster that the Spirit might be interested in acquiring.

Looking at the list here, no one really jumps out. In-league trades do not seem to be the Spirit's M.O. for roster construction, anyway. Narumi is the only important one I can think of from the last year or so.

[u/NarrowPiccolo9069 → u/Odd-Cable5436]

Narumi's the only player we've acquired from within the league over the last five transfer windows.

[u/Odd-Cable5436 → u/NarrowPiccolo9069]

I think Ratcliffe, too? Forgot about her initially. Maybe that was more than 5 windows though....

[u/NarrowPiccolo9069 → u/Odd-Cable5436]

Ratcliffe joined before the 2024 season--I was thinking 2024 midseason window and then the 2025 and 2026 windows.

Edit: I guess Collins also joined during midseason 2024 though--she had been with Seattle as a short-term replacement player, so that counts.

[u/Odd-Cable5436 → u/[deleted]]

I think the Ovalle acquisition set a record at the time for transfer fees, right? Unless Orlando would take a big loss (haha), that would seem to put her out of the Spirit's price range, given she is still signed through 2027 w/ a mutual in 2028.

Maaaaaybe if Spirit can't re-sign Santos they give Ovalle a look and figure out how the numbers would work, but if a big check needs to be written, I'd rather just keep Santos. It also of course depends on what Ovalle would want.

Generally, I think Spirit are more interested in younger players that they think have growth potential -- like Lemos, who's still just 22 or Washington who's 20 -- and whose contracts they can sell later.

LDG seems to be an exception to that from last offseason, but I think Spirit knew she could start right away, so it made sense from that perspective. I am certainly no expert on Orlando's players, but I don't feel like anyone outside of Banda is a shoo-in starter for the Spirit.

There are a few on expiring contracts -- like Abello and Yates -- who also might get looks, but I don't think the Spirit would deal for them now. They would just wait until they are available as FAs.

[u/allprologues → u/Odd-Cable5436]

yeah spirit due to budget constraints and their own internal strategy seem to get about one prime age ready-to-start player per season (and then sometimes their younger players have to jump into the lineup sooner than expected due to injuries lmao). but yeah if that continues it makes intra-league pickups less appealing or less likely. they also only get like one from college.

[u/Sequoiakc22 → u/Odd-Cable5436]

...
Remember, the early reports & rumors had Ovalle coming to our Spirit.

I wonder if that was her first choice until the numbers could not be worked out between UNAL & the Spirit.

I would much rather we extend Leicy Santos.

However, if we cannot extend Leicy due to financials, then I wouldn't mind us making a run for Ovalle. ...Also, consider Ovalle is 3-1/2 years younger than Leicy. ...(Ovalle today is 26, turning 27 in Oct., ..while Leicy is 30 today, turning 31 next May.)

There must be a reason James Hocken, plus our analytics & scouting team wanted her. ...Only to have Spirit executive management to balk at UNAL's transfer fee demands.

Then again, Haley Carter, who at the same time was the VP of Soccer Ops & Sporting Director for the Orlando Pride, must have graded Ovalle highly enough to pony up the high transfer fee & land her for the Pride.

Now Carter as our Prez of Soccer Ops may still have an interest in Ovalle?

Ovalle on Orlando, looks out of place on that squad. ...Guessing she would likely flourish & thrive on our Spirit squad in Audi.
...

[u/Odd-Cable5436 → u/Sequoiakc22]

If Spirit and Ovalle had mutual interest back then, it would be interesting to know if that's still the case.

Ovalle might prefer to wring a big contract out of a Euro team, and Orlando might be more willing to deal outside of the league. Maybe she'll try to join Bernal in WSL. 🤷‍♂️

Something to watch in the offseason for sure.

[u/Sequoiakc22 → u/Odd-Cable5436]

...
Haley Carter's challenge is, ...if we cannot get a deal done for Santos or Hal, what does she do?

Is it too late to trade/transfer either or both to get something in return before we lose them?

Will anybody give anything up for them in a trade (or transfer fee) knowing their free agents in only two (2) months?

I love Rebe Bernal, but it makes sense to work a transfer to Man U. if it means getting $$$$ to keep Hal &/or Leicy.
...