As the Washington Spirit began its preseason this week, Mark Krikorian, the club’s president of soccer operations and general manager, on Thursday spoke about the Spirit’s offseason moves, including the draft-night trades that sent two team stalwarts out of Washington.
The club dealt veteran defender Sam Staab to the Chicago Red Stars and star midfielder Ashley Sanchez to the North Carolina Courage on Jan. 12, in exchange for draft picks and cash. The Spirit made four first-round selections, the most of any team, but it came at the cost of two key players who had helped the club win a title in 2021.