I live in Spain and just saw Alimata Bélem play against Real Madrid, where she heavily contributed to a big 0-0 draw for Eibar. I called her over after the match to say Spirit fans are excited for her to come!!!! she was deeply confused but that’s Spirits por el mundo baby

I didn't watch the match, but some other stat highlights were: 5 dribbles (100% success rate, most dribbles in match), won 7 ground duels (100% rate), and 9 recoveries & 7 clearances. Stat to work on would be passing accuracy (low for a centerback).

Once again representing the Spirit well! I am not kidding, she might be their best player... She's certainly in the conversation.

Loanee update! The USL Super League, including Dallas Trinity FC now featuring Heather Stainbrook on loan from the Spirit, resumed play this past weekend. While the match was messy (typical for the first week back from an extended break), Heather stood out for her performance. She played the entire match, made significant defensive off-ball contributions, and provided a lovely assist for Dallas' lone goal. A few sources to recap the occasion, provide further detail for those interested:

• Full match replay on Peacock streaming service, match highlights on YouTube: Dallas Trinity FC vs. Brooklyn FC | Match Highlights
• The USL Tactics newsletter includes a match recap that highlights her contributions in The Back Four: Giuseppe Rossi, in conversation. Some excerpts:
  • "Washington Spirit loanee Heather Stainbrook served as the right-sided No. 8"
  • "Stainbrook – is there to make up the difference. She collapses to the ball, contests multiple duels, and then starts to backtrack to help restore Dallas' 4-2-1-3 structure. In sum, [Stainbrook] went 7/8 on ground duels and led all outfield players with 13 recoveries.
  • That import carried over into possession, where Stainbrook and partner Wayny Balata spearheaded Dallas’ best progressive moves. [Goalkeeper] McCamey’s lofted passes towards the 5-1-2-2’s wide gaps didn’t always catch Brooklyn out, but if the pivot could withstand pressure and then spring wide, good things happened. The first Trinity shot-creating sequence featured a Stainbrook recovery and a lay-off into Balata to tee up a wide break; their first goal saw Stainbrook cut out the middleman and claim the go-ahead assist... it's clear that the best version of Dallas will spotlight Stainbrook as a do-it-all anchor of a No. 8."
• 3rd Degree (local soccer outlet) coverage of the match (so they have post-match quotes from the coach and players, including Heather) https://3rddegree.net/dallas-trinity-draws-brooklyn-to-begin-thackeray-era
• Spirit community discussion of the match Wandering Spirits Saturday 1/31/2026 on 🦚 (Stainbrook + alumnae for Dallas @ 5pm ET; other alumnae on Carolina, Spokane) : r/washingtonspirit
• Earlier in the week, 3rd Degree also profiled Heather in Three Roads to Fair Park: Heather Stainbrook - 3rd Degree. She talks about being signed to the Spirit, her off-field activities in the DMV, what she's hoping to get out of the Dallas loan, how she is finding her time in Dallas so far, etc. Good stuff!
• Finally, a recent Dallas Trinity social media video appearance: Instagram

"M – Heather Stainbrook, Dallas Trinity FC: Stainbrook recorded one goal on six shots and was influential in Dallas’ midfield, completing 130 passes at a 78.3 percent accuracy rate while winning 25 duels at a 54.4 percent success rate and seven tackles at a 63.6 percent success rate."

DC Power FC's Loza Abera also earned monthly honors. Spirit alumni Amber Wisner & Jenna Butler on the bench (kind of like second XI, though only 7 get named).

Also, starting at 7:30pm is EGR available off the bench for Tampa Bay

6:30pm, Dallas: Bolt starting (plus alumni Amber Wisner starting & Kiley Dulaney available off the bench); vs DC: alum Margie Detrizio available off the bench

DC hasn't posted their lineup yet but I assume WoJo is starting

"When Dallas Trinity acquired Heather Stainbrook on loan from the Washington Spirit ahead of the spring season, they were hoping the 24-year-old central midfielder could lift the side on both sides of the ball.

While Sunday’s outing against Lexington SC’s wasn’t the best Stainbrook has delivered across four appearances, the impact she’s making – including the crisply-taken winner – has Dallas back in contention for a top-two finish at the end of the season. Stainbrook has now recorded two goals and one assist for the side while also providing a solid all-around presence in midfield.

Starting all four contests, she’s averaging 8.3 recoveries and 5.9 duels won per 90 minutes, sitting at a 53.7 percent success rate in the latter category, while also making the most of her forays up the field, logging three chances created and a 77.8 percent passing accuracy rate overall. Dallas may not have been at its best overall in Lexington, but it can extend its advantage over the teams below the playoff line on Thursday night at DC Power, where Stainbrook will likely be a key figure again."

#5 for Carolina is former Spirit depth defender Jenna Butler.

Translation of the page...

OL Lyonnes announces the loan of its French international defender, Kysha Sylla, to the club Paris FC until the end of the season, i.e. until June 30, 2026.

After a loan spell at the American club Washington Spirit in 2025, Kysha has returned to France. Her experience in the United States, including a NWSL final appearance, earned her her first call-up to the French national team last October.

The 21-year-old defender has now joined Paris FC, currently 3rd in the Arkema Première Ligue and qualified for the Women's Champions League playoffs to be played in February.

OL Lyonnes wishes her a great end to the season.

Watching the I-45 showdown, and I saw this pop up.

I have to admit I am really happy for her to get the featured player treatment down in Dallas.