Ella Brockway
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Ella Brockway
@ellabrockway.bsky.social
sports @washingtonpost.com • soccer talk @heyspirits.bsky.social • past things @medillschool.bsky.social • #SeasIt
• Loss of Gabby Carle is a blow. A real bummer amid a breakout season

• Trinity Rodman (questionable) makes sense. Given the Year It Has Been, no need to rush her back

• Tara McKeown, Woman of Steel

• Deb Abiodun back is Capital-H Huge for a game that feels like it’ll be decided in the midfield
Washington Spirit semifinal availability:

Out: Gabby Carle (thigh), Ashley Hatch (maternity), Lyza Jessee (SEI), Casey Krueger (maternity), Ouleye Sarr (SEI), Andi Sullivan (maternity)
Questionable: Trinity Rodman (knee)

Deb and Tara are available!
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
Washington Spirit semifinal availability:

Out: Gabby Carle (thigh), Ashley Hatch (maternity), Lyza Jessee (SEI), Casey Krueger (maternity), Ouleye Sarr (SEI), Andi Sullivan (maternity)
Questionable: Trinity Rodman (knee)

Deb and Tara are available!
November 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
🌸NEW POD🌸

Annie, Ella & André get you set for tomorrow’s semifinal against Portland! We discuss how they play, how to capitalize on weaknesses, who must have a good game, clouds, and our new logo!

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/1s1v...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #nwslplayoffs
November 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
The @washingtonspirit.com begin training this morning for its #NWSL semifinal match at Audi Field on Saturday.

Note that Trinity Rodman and Tara McKeown warming up with Leicy Santos. They are participating with the whole group in training.
November 14, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
“My body can do really great at healing itself and bouncing back. It sucks to say that, but I’d rather know.”

After three torn ACLs and a first pitch gone awry, Croix Bethune is thriving once more for the Washington Spirit — and one game away from at last playing in an NWSL final.
A first pitch derailed her 2024 season. She’s back — and eyeing the NWSL final.
Croix Bethune has helped bring the Washington Spirit within one game of a return to the NWSL final.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
Exclusive: FIFA will not pay a rental fee for using the Kennedy Center for the 2026 World Cup draw, disrupting the venue’s performance schedule.

The event, moved from Las Vegas to D.C., was influenced by Trump’s relationship with FIFA’s president.
FIFA will use Kennedy Center free of charge for World Cup event, contract says
The Kennedy Center booked the World Cup draw at President Donald Trump’s urging. It will occupy much of the campus and displace planned performances.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
4TH STRAIGHT PLAYOFF SELLOUT 😤

Thank you Spirit fam 💛 we can’t wait to see you this Saturday!
November 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
At Spirit training, where Coach Adrián González was fairly coy regarding the status of Tara McKeown (ankle) and Gabrielle Carle (hamstring). "We need to see how the week goes," he said. Both players were held out of full training.

And Trinity Rodman? "I think she's on track," González said.
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
As you may have noticed, we have a NEW LOOK! Of course, we will still be bringing you the same Hey Spirits content.

Thanks to local artist Ale Rodriguez-Gitler for the design. You can find more of her work here: aler-g.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Of note: This Atlanta team will play home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, meaning there will eventually be two NWSL teams with permanent homes in NFL stadiums.

Given the links between the Spirit + the RFK Stadium project in DC, it’ll be worth watching how those (+ the Boston season at Gillette) go.
BREAKING: The NWSL is awarding its 17th franchise to Atlanta and will join the league for a record expansion fee of $165 million, sources tell The Athletic.

Details: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 10, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
🌸NEW POD🌸

In solidarity with the Spirit, Annie, Ella & André went into extra time recapping yet another dramatic and special playoff win at Audi!

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/7JYQ...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #nwslplayoffs #woso
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM
From the source on the other site:
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
FYI: The Spirit's NWSL playoff semifinal at Audi Field has a date and time: Saturday at 12 p.m. Opponent TBD.
November 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
Knockout soccer. Strange beast!
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Knockout soccer. Strange beast!
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
“At some point, we’d like to win a playoff game in 90 minutes and do it the easy way. But it’s also more exciting this way.”

Another playoff game, another exhilarating Spirit win. Reporting from Audi Field on Washington’s shootout triumph over Louisville:
Just for kicks, Spirit earns another dramatic NWSL playoff win
Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury and Washington snag a 3-1 shootout victory over Racing Louisville after regulation ends in a 1-1 draw.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
ICONIC BEHAVIOR

@spiritsquadron.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
Tara McKeown came off with an ankle injury and will need to evaluated tomorrow, @washingtonspirit.com head coach Adrian Gonzalez said.

He added that Gabby Carle "felt something in her hamstring," which led to her removal. (Q by @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social)
November 8, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A heck of a scene at Audi Field.

Trinity Rodman and Sandy MacIver sprinted straight from the sideline to meet Aubrey Kingsbury in goal. Adrián González stood and hugged Tara McKeown and Gabby Carle.

And now, Esme Morgan is waving a flag in the middle of the supporters’ section.
November 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Audi Field Status: Loud.
November 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM
"The Spirit might wanna just go ahead and do a goal or two now'ish" sums up this game.
reminder that bloomer has faced 4 penalties this season and saved 3 so the spirit might wanna just go ahead and do a goal or two now'ish
my heart won't be able to take it if this goes to PKs
November 8, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Audi Field has a big chant and round of applause as Tara McKeown limps off the field with a Spirit trainer after an awkward fall.

That’s a blow. She’s been a vital (perhaps the most vital) part of the Spirit’s success this season.
November 8, 2025 at 7:39 PM
File this under Screenshots That Will Probably Be Getting a Lot of Use On This Account in the Future
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Emma Sears almost put this game to bed in the final seconds of stoppage time. That was her first real breakthrough of this match — she might have had as many touches on that run as she had in the entire first half!

Game could swing on if she can do it again.
November 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM