The Washington Spirit have announced their initial roster for the 2018 NWSL season ahead of this weekend’s opening game against Seattle Reign FC. The Spirit enter this year with four Federation Players (USWNT regulars Rose Lavelle, Mallory Pugh, and Taylor Smith, plus Canada’s Rebecca Quinn), plus #1 overall draft pick Andi Sullivan and striker Ashley Hatch, the 2017 NWSL Rookie of the Year. Last year, Washington had just two Federation Players at the start of the season.
The Spirit will start the season with 23 players on their official roster, but the NWSL only allows for 20 roster spots.