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 the D.C. Tim Kang owns Spirit. It had 15 wins and 1 loss as of May 2018.
Tim Kang became majority owner of the Washington Spirit in 2021
The Washington Spirit has lost its controlling stake. Tim Kang, a Washington businesswoman, is now the majority owner. 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 removed from league governance during the ownership dispute, but a spokesperson for NWSL stated that the team was restored. Kang has expressed a desire to modernize the Spirit's business practices and secure a permanent professional training facility.
Kang has a history in addressing equity issues. He also wants to highlight the talent of female staff and athletes. Spirit's supporters have been an integral part of the revitalization and he hopes to attract soccer fans back to the stadium in 2022.
Steve Baldwin was accused in retaliation and nepotism
Baldwin's Washington spirit players are clear that they don't trust him. A group composed of players demanded Baldwin's sale of his ownership stake to "Michele", an equity partner of Spirit. They feel that the current leadership is toxic and Baldwin should step down.
Baldwin was asked by the Spirit players to sell the team and to resign as CEO and managing partner. Many players also demanded that the team be sold to a woman owner. The National Women's Soccer League launched an investigation into Washington's spirit. While some players were harassed by the league, no one was doing anything about it. The investigation also found that Baldwin was hiring friends to fill positions that were not well qualified.
After a 15 games winless streak Kris Ward was terminated by the Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit have fired head coach Kris Ward. This decision was made after Ward's 15-game losing streak, as well as a falling out with the team's players. Unnamed sources claim that the team's players had to attend a retreat this weekend without Ward. The Spirit's governing body was informed about the allegations and promised to 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. The Spirit will have no choice but to replace Ward after a 15 game losing streak.
Ward was replaced by Tom Torres, assistant coach
Torres is a versatile coach with a rich history. He was the head coach at Barcelona Northern Virginia Academy, as well as being an assistant coach at the Washington Spirit in NWSL. He is a highly qualified and experienced coach with more than 25 years' experience in the sport. He will support the technical staff as well as club leadership.
Washington Spirit will compete for their fifth season in National Women's Soccer League.