The Washington Spirit American soccer team is a professional American soccer team that plays the National Women's Soccer League. It is based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It is the continuation of the D.C. Spirit and is owned by Tim Kang. It had 15 wins and 1 loss as of May 2018.
The majority owner of Washington Spirit was Tim Kang in 2021
The majority ownership of the Washington Spirit's controlling stake has been sold to Tim Kang, a Washington-based businesswoman. Although Steve Baldwin, former owner of the team, initially refused to sign the deal with the billionaire, he recently agreed to the sale. The Seattle Spirit were suspended by the league during the ownership crisis, but a representative for the NWSL announced that the team was reinstated. Kang expressed his desire to modernize Spirit's business practices, and secure a permanent professional learning facility.
Kang has a track record of addressing issues related to equity and hopes that this message will be translated into sports. He wants to emphasize the talent of female employees and athletes. Spirit's fans played a crucial role in its revitalization. He hopes to bring back soccer fans to The Stadium in 2022.
Steve Baldwin was accused by nepotism as well as retaliation
Baldwin has been criticized by Washington spirit's players. A group of players has issued a statement demanding that he sell his ownership stake to "Michele," the equity partner of the Spirit. They feel that the current leadership is toxic and Baldwin should step down.
Baldwin was asked by Spirit players for permission to sell the team. He also resigned as managing partner, CEO, and chairman. Many players called for the sale of the team to a female owner. The National Women's Soccer League launched a probe into Washington's spirit. The league concluded that some players were being harassed, but that no one was acting to stop it. Baldwin was also being investigated for hiring friends to fill unqualified positions.
After a 15 games winless streak Kris Ward was terminated by the Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit fired Kris Ward, head coach. After a long 15-game losing streak and a declining relationship between Ward, the team's player and Ward, Ward made the decision to resign. Unnamed sources claim that the team's players had to attend a retreat this weekend without Ward. The Spirit's governing committee was informed of the alleged misconduct. It said it will investigate.
The Spirit went 1-6-9 entering the streak. A winless streak could help the Spirit balance the scales. Ward helped the Spirit win their inaugural national championship after joining the league in 2012. However, after a 15 games losing streak, the Spirit will need to search elsewhere for a coach.
Ward's assistant coach Tom Torres was appointed to replace him
Torres has many varied experiences, from his time as the head coach of Barcelona Northern Virginia Academy to his current role as assistant coach for Washington Spirit in NWSL. With more than 25 years of experience in the sport, he is an experienced and highly qualified coach. He will work closely with the technical staff and club leadership, as well as report directly to Technical Director Christian Cziommer.
Washington Spirit will compete in their fifth season of the National Women's Soccer League. They also participate in the inaugural season U.S Soccer Girls' Development Academy. There are four teams in Maryland, Virginia.