Six months ago, the Washington Spirit opened its season at the Houston Dash with high expectations, looking to build on its second-place finish in 2024.
Much has changed since that win in March. Its coach in the opener spent this weekend on a sideline in France (Jonatan Giráldez, now leading Olympique Lyonnais after a midseason move). Its goal scorers in the opener are out for the season (Ashley Hatch, pregnant with her first child) and starting for a different team (Makenna Morris, traded to Louisville last month).