Ella Brockway
@ellabrockway.bsky.social
sports @washingtonpost.com • soccer talk @heyspirits.bsky.social • past things @medillschool.bsky.social • #SeasIt
First full call-up for Kate Wiesner! That's exciting!
Emma Hayes rates Wiesner. That's been clear since she got that Olympic training camp invite last year even when she wasn't starting regularly for the Spirit. Well deserved, especially after the two strong playoff performances.
Emma Hayes rates Wiesner. That's been clear since she got that Olympic training camp invite last year even when she wasn't starting regularly for the Spirit. Well deserved, especially after the two strong playoff performances.
November 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
First full call-up for Kate Wiesner! That's exciting!
Emma Hayes rates Wiesner. That's been clear since she got that Olympic training camp invite last year even when she wasn't starting regularly for the Spirit. Well deserved, especially after the two strong playoff performances.
Emma Hayes rates Wiesner. That's been clear since she got that Olympic training camp invite last year even when she wasn't starting regularly for the Spirit. Well deserved, especially after the two strong playoff performances.
Every photo of Scott McTominay’s post-Manchester United glow-up has been excellent. Adding “bicycle kick that possibly sends Scotland to its first World Cup since he was 2” to the list!
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Every photo of Scott McTominay’s post-Manchester United glow-up has been excellent. Adding “bicycle kick that possibly sends Scotland to its first World Cup since he was 2” to the list!
Reposted by Ella Brockway
🌸NEW POD🌸
WHAT! A! GAME!
Annie, Ella & André recap the performance we’ve all been waiting for: a comfortable and dominant 90 minutes. We relive it one glorious moment at a time!
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/43fa...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #nwslplayoffs
WHAT! A! GAME!
Annie, Ella & André recap the performance we’ve all been waiting for: a comfortable and dominant 90 minutes. We relive it one glorious moment at a time!
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/43fa...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #nwslplayoffs
November 17, 2025 at 11:04 PM
🌸NEW POD🌸
WHAT! A! GAME!
Annie, Ella & André recap the performance we’ve all been waiting for: a comfortable and dominant 90 minutes. We relive it one glorious moment at a time!
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/43fa...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #nwslplayoffs
WHAT! A! GAME!
Annie, Ella & André recap the performance we’ve all been waiting for: a comfortable and dominant 90 minutes. We relive it one glorious moment at a time!
🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/43fa...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #nwslplayoffs
In Gotham's 3-0 win on 4/26: No Hershfelt, Krueger, Metayer, Rodman, Wiesner (injuries); no Cantore or Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Bethune for 11 min + Kouassi for 45
In 0-0 draw on 8/9: No Krueger or Santos (injuries); no Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Rodman for 33 min + Cantore/Kouassi for 45
(1/1)
In 0-0 draw on 8/9: No Krueger or Santos (injuries); no Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Rodman for 33 min + Cantore/Kouassi for 45
(1/1)
@ellabrockway.bsky.social Any of those three lineups close to what we'll likely be fielding?
November 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
In Gotham's 3-0 win on 4/26: No Hershfelt, Krueger, Metayer, Rodman, Wiesner (injuries); no Cantore or Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Bethune for 11 min + Kouassi for 45
In 0-0 draw on 8/9: No Krueger or Santos (injuries); no Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Rodman for 33 min + Cantore/Kouassi for 45
(1/1)
In 0-0 draw on 8/9: No Krueger or Santos (injuries); no Abiodun (hadn't arrived); Rodman for 33 min + Cantore/Kouassi for 45
(1/1)
The team with 0.17 xG and zero (0) big chances won this soccer game.
November 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The team with 0.17 xG and zero (0) big chances won this soccer game.
Tara McKeown joked that the message in training ahead of today's semifinal was: "Please, girls, no more extra time."
Come kickoff, the Spirit traded dramatics for dominance and outplayed the Thorns for a 2-0 win. Next up: Another trip to the NWSL final.
More ⤵️
Come kickoff, the Spirit traded dramatics for dominance and outplayed the Thorns for a 2-0 win. Next up: Another trip to the NWSL final.
More ⤵️
The Washington Spirit is going back to the NWSL championship match. From our @ellabrockway.bsky.social:
Spirit returns to NWSL championship match by shutting out Portland
Gift Monday and Croix Bethune scored for Washington, which posted a 2-0 win at Audi Field to advance to next weekend’s title game.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Tara McKeown joked that the message in training ahead of today's semifinal was: "Please, girls, no more extra time."
Come kickoff, the Spirit traded dramatics for dominance and outplayed the Thorns for a 2-0 win. Next up: Another trip to the NWSL final.
More ⤵️
Come kickoff, the Spirit traded dramatics for dominance and outplayed the Thorns for a 2-0 win. Next up: Another trip to the NWSL final.
More ⤵️
That’s a wrap from me at Audi Field. In a year of ups, downs and everything in between, it’s so fun to cover this team and see how special it is to this city.
More Spirit stuff TK in @postsports.bsky.social and @heyspirits.bsky.social. Thanks for reading, listening, watching and following along. ✌🏼
More Spirit stuff TK in @postsports.bsky.social and @heyspirits.bsky.social. Thanks for reading, listening, watching and following along. ✌🏼
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
That’s a wrap from me at Audi Field. In a year of ups, downs and everything in between, it’s so fun to cover this team and see how special it is to this city.
More Spirit stuff TK in @postsports.bsky.social and @heyspirits.bsky.social. Thanks for reading, listening, watching and following along. ✌🏼
More Spirit stuff TK in @postsports.bsky.social and @heyspirits.bsky.social. Thanks for reading, listening, watching and following along. ✌🏼
Trinity Rodman in the mixed zone: “My focus has been winning this championship and then the next steps come after that. … Once we get this championship, then I can start making decisions and figuring out what next year looks like.” #NWSL
November 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Trinity Rodman in the mixed zone: “My focus has been winning this championship and then the next steps come after that. … Once we get this championship, then I can start making decisions and figuring out what next year looks like.” #NWSL
Esme Morgan, Hal Hershfelt and Trinity Rodman sprinted down to the supporters’ section after the final whistle. Croix Bethune and others are in the crowd now.
Another special, special day at Audi Field.
Another special, special day at Audi Field.
November 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Esme Morgan, Hal Hershfelt and Trinity Rodman sprinted down to the supporters’ section after the final whistle. Croix Bethune and others are in the crowd now.
Another special, special day at Audi Field.
Another special, special day at Audi Field.
FT: Spirit 2, Thorns 0.
Washington is headed to the NWSL final for the second year in a row. Croix Bethune gets her long-awaited playoff goal, Aubrey Kingsbury gets a first playoff clean sheet since 2021, and Trinity Rodman makes what could be a final appearance at Audi Field.
(All in 90 minutes.)
Washington is headed to the NWSL final for the second year in a row. Croix Bethune gets her long-awaited playoff goal, Aubrey Kingsbury gets a first playoff clean sheet since 2021, and Trinity Rodman makes what could be a final appearance at Audi Field.
(All in 90 minutes.)
November 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
FT: Spirit 2, Thorns 0.
Washington is headed to the NWSL final for the second year in a row. Croix Bethune gets her long-awaited playoff goal, Aubrey Kingsbury gets a first playoff clean sheet since 2021, and Trinity Rodman makes what could be a final appearance at Audi Field.
(All in 90 minutes.)
Washington is headed to the NWSL final for the second year in a row. Croix Bethune gets her long-awaited playoff goal, Aubrey Kingsbury gets a first playoff clean sheet since 2021, and Trinity Rodman makes what could be a final appearance at Audi Field.
(All in 90 minutes.)
Had that Trinity Rodman shot gone in, I think Audi Field might have lifted off the ground and into a different stratosphere.
November 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Had that Trinity Rodman shot gone in, I think Audi Field might have lifted off the ground and into a different stratosphere.
Reposted by Ella Brockway
November 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Ella Brockway
Reposted by Ella Brockway
EXCLUSIVE:
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
NWSL's Berman defends salary cap as Rodman contract expiration looms
Berman talked exclusively to CBS Sports shortly before Rodman's Washington Spirit kicked off their NWSL semifinal match vs. Portland Thorns
www.cbssports.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
EXCLUSIVE:
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
spoke to #NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman this morning about Trinity Rodman and the salary cap, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere
the salary cap, she said, is “the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world”
www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Reposted by Ella Brockway
RE: Trinity Rodman's future, her impending free agency, the salary cap, and the #NWSL's inability to compete financially for a player like her in the global economy, a league spokesperson provided the following statement to ESPN.
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
RE: Trinity Rodman's future, her impending free agency, the salary cap, and the #NWSL's inability to compete financially for a player like her in the global economy, a league spokesperson provided the following statement to ESPN.
Talked before this game about how important the midfield battle was going to be.
Right now, Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey (10 goals/5 assists this year) have fewer touches combined (48) than Leicy Santos has on her own (53).
Right now, Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey (10 goals/5 assists this year) have fewer touches combined (48) than Leicy Santos has on her own (53).
November 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Talked before this game about how important the midfield battle was going to be.
Right now, Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey (10 goals/5 assists this year) have fewer touches combined (48) than Leicy Santos has on her own (53).
Right now, Olivia Moultrie and Sam Coffey (10 goals/5 assists this year) have fewer touches combined (48) than Leicy Santos has on her own (53).
When this play starts, Rose Kouassi is pretty much level with Hal Hershfelt as she clears it out of the box. All of four (!) seconds later, Kouassi is on the ball. Ten seconds after that, the ball's in the back of the net. ⏩
LIGHTNING QUICK⚡️
Rosemonde Kouassi goes COAST-TO-COAST and sets up Gift Monday for their FIFTH duo goal of 2025
Rosemonde Kouassi goes COAST-TO-COAST and sets up Gift Monday for their FIFTH duo goal of 2025
November 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
When this play starts, Rose Kouassi is pretty much level with Hal Hershfelt as she clears it out of the box. All of four (!) seconds later, Kouassi is on the ball. Ten seconds after that, the ball's in the back of the net. ⏩
Rose. Freaking. Kouassi.
November 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Rose. Freaking. Kouassi.
Through the opening 15 minutes, this has been one of the Spirit's best starts to a match this year. Need a goal to punctuate it.
(As I was typing, Kate Wiesner and Gift Monday came pretty close to one.)
(As I was typing, Kate Wiesner and Gift Monday came pretty close to one.)
November 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Through the opening 15 minutes, this has been one of the Spirit's best starts to a match this year. Need a goal to punctuate it.
(As I was typing, Kate Wiesner and Gift Monday came pretty close to one.)
(As I was typing, Kate Wiesner and Gift Monday came pretty close to one.)
Trinity Rodman participated in warmups with the other Spirit bench players ahead of today’s semifinal. (She didn’t last week.) She has the ball on the far touchline here.
November 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Trinity Rodman participated in warmups with the other Spirit bench players ahead of today’s semifinal. (She didn’t last week.) She has the ball on the far touchline here.
Would presume Wiesner and Kouassi wide, Morgan + Bernal + McKeown CBs.
Seems like Abiodun may not have been ready for a full 90, but it would be a big boost if she can give a good stint off the bench. Same with Rodman.
Seems like Abiodun may not have been ready for a full 90, but it would be a big boost if she can give a good stint off the bench. Same with Rodman.
November 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Would presume Wiesner and Kouassi wide, Morgan + Bernal + McKeown CBs.
Seems like Abiodun may not have been ready for a full 90, but it would be a big boost if she can give a good stint off the bench. Same with Rodman.
Seems like Abiodun may not have been ready for a full 90, but it would be a big boost if she can give a good stint off the bench. Same with Rodman.
2023 cap: $1.375 million
2024 cap: $2.75 million
2025 cap: $3.3 million
2026 cap: $3.5 million (as of now)
2024 cap: $2.75 million
2025 cap: $3.3 million
2026 cap: $3.5 million (as of now)
Do you know what the cap was for 2024? Even in the articles where the NWSL talks about the current salary cap, they don’t seem to mention the current salary cap. Just the 2025 cap
November 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
2023 cap: $1.375 million
2024 cap: $2.75 million
2025 cap: $3.3 million
2026 cap: $3.5 million (as of now)
2024 cap: $2.75 million
2025 cap: $3.3 million
2026 cap: $3.5 million (as of now)
Agree with this. An increase isn’t impossible: The CBA says that the NWSL can raise the cap in consultation with the PA.
It’s hard to look at these limits as they stand in this era of greater player movement and more spending from European teams and think they won’t affect player retention.
It’s hard to look at these limits as they stand in this era of greater player movement and more spending from European teams and think they won’t affect player retention.
November 15, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Agree with this. An increase isn’t impossible: The CBA says that the NWSL can raise the cap in consultation with the PA.
It’s hard to look at these limits as they stand in this era of greater player movement and more spending from European teams and think they won’t affect player retention.
It’s hard to look at these limits as they stand in this era of greater player movement and more spending from European teams and think they won’t affect player retention.
• 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
• 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!
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
• 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
• 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