The Washington Spirit is an American professional soccer club that plays in the National Women's Soccer League. It is based within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. It is the continuation and expansion of the D.C. Tim Kang has ownership of Spirit. It currently has 15 wins, and one loss.
In 2021 Tim Kang became majority shareholder of Washington Spirit
The majority ownership of the Washington Spirit's controlling stake has been sold to Tim Kang, a Washington-based businesswoman. Steve Baldwin, the former team owner, initially opposed the deal. But the billionaire finally agreed to sell his stake. During the ownership struggle, the Seattle Spirit were suspended from league governance, but a spokesperson for the NWSL said the team was reinstated. Kang has expressed an interest in modernizing the Spirit's business practices as well as establishing a permanent professional training facility.
Kang has a history of addressing equity issues and hopes to bring that message 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 of nepotism and retaliation
The Washington spirit's players have made it clear they do not trust Baldwin. A group of players demanded that Baldwin sell his equity stake to Michelle, the Spirit's equity partner. They believe that the current leadership of this team is toxic and Baldwin needs to step down.
Baldwin was asked to sell the team by the Spirit players and resign from his position as managing partner. Many players have also called on the team to be sold to a female owner. The National Women's Soccer League began an investigation into Washington's spirit. The league concluded that players were being harassed but that no one was doing anything to stop it. Baldwin was also seen hiring friends to fill in for unqualified positions.
After a 15 games winless streak Kris Ward was terminated by the Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit have fired head coach Kris Ward. After a 15-game losing streak and a relationship that was deteriorating between Ward and his players, Ward was fired. This weekend, the team's players were forced to attend a staff retreat without Ward, according to an unnamed source. The Spirit's governing board was made aware of the misconduct and has promised to investigate.
The Spirit went 1-6-9 entering the streak. A winless streak could help the Spirit balance the scales. Ward was instrumental in the Spirit winning their first national championship since 2012. However, after a 15-game losing streak, the Spirit will have to look elsewhere for a new coach.
Ward was succeeded by Tom Torres, an assistant coach.
Torres has a varied and extensive background, including being the head coach at Barcelona Northern Virginia Academy and as the assistant coach for Washington Spirit in the NWSL. He is a highly experienced and qualified coach who has more than 25 year's experience in the sport. He will collaborate closely with club leadership and the technical staff.
The Washington Spirit will be competing in their fifth season in the National Women's Soccer League as well as the inaugural season of the U.S. Soccer Girls' Development Academy, with four teams in Maryland and Virginia.