Editor's Note: This analysis was written following the conclusion of NWSL Matchweek 4, which ended on March 29, 2026.
The Washington Spirit have played four games in the 2026 NWSL season, losing to the Portland Thorns, and drawing to Racing Louisville, Utah Royals, and the Denver Spirit.
The team is still settling into playing with each other, which was apparent through the first game. Since then they have found their groove, but simply have not been able to close out games.
To determine whether alarm bells need to be ringing for the Spirit, you have to look at the underlying statistics. While the final game scores tell the story of a struggling team, the Spirit have not been short of attacking chances. According to the NWSL, in these four games, the Spirit have ranked third best in “Total Scoring Attempts.” Using the stats from Sofascore, the Washington Spirit have averaged 1.92 expected goals, and have averaged 1.00 expected goals against. While possession isn’t everything, the Washington Spirit have also averaged 59% possession during their games. In short, the Spirit’s system is working, they just aren’t converting their chances into goals.
The Spirit have had some shaky goals conceded, the result of early season miscommunications, and some early season rust. Many of the goals conceded this season so far, don’t seem to be from getting consistently outplayed, but one off incidents that should be addressed as the season continues, and as the players get readjusted.
Naturally, the disconnect between creation and conversion, shifts the spotlight onto the forwards. Whether the Washington Spirit, and their fans should be worried, rests in whether you trust their goalscorers. When the attack is spearheaded by none other than Trinity Rodman, a generational talent, a nightmare for any defense in the league and the youngest player to reach 100 regular season appearances in NWSL history, at 23.
Alongside a bolstered attack, which already ranked second for total goals for last season, it is safe to say that goals from this squad is not a matter of “if”, but “when”.
“We’re kind of keeping teams within the game…so just going forward trying to get as many chances as we can from the start of the game so they can't get themselves involved in the end,” said spirit defender Tara Rudd, post Utah Royals matchup.
Head Coach Adrián González admits that he’s not worried at all about the team and their start to the season. He plans on sticking with the same game plan as last year and leaning on the talent he knows his team has.
“To be honest I’m very calm…I would be worried if we weren't creating chances, and the reality is we're creating clear chances, and now it’s just about finishing,” said González after the draw with Utah.
Although the team has had a less than ideal start, the chemistry has improved each game and once injuries, early season struggles and international tournaments are put to rest, the Spirit will have more than enough time to turn their season around.
Washington has a more than dedicated home crowd backing them in each matchup, including their sold-out home opener versus the Portland Thorns, this energy feeds off to players will become crucial for the games to come.
The Spirit are eager to earn their first win of the season, but as González says “the results are going to come”, now it’s just about when and how.
Photos from the Match:
