Washington Spirit, often simply called the Spirit, are a professional women's football team based in Washington, D.C., United States. They compete in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's professional football in the country, and play their home matches in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Founded in 2012 for the launch of the NWSL, the club began play in 2013 and quickly established itself as a resilient, defence‑minded side that regularly develops and features United States and international national‑team players. The Spirit reached their first NWSL Championship final in 2016. After several turbulent seasons marked by coaching and ownership changes and a broader reckoning within the league over player welfare, the club enjoyed a renaissance in 2021, combining an exciting young core with experienced internationals to win their first NWSL Championship title. In the modern era the Spirit are known for strong youth development, a passionate supporter culture, and a prominent role in advancing the women’s game in the United States.
