Notables – Washington Spirit vs San Diego Wave FC

Get ready for today’s match in San Diego with some fast facts below:

• First-ever match in California for the Spirit as well as first contest against Wave FC.
• First match against former Spirit player and 2021 champion Tegan McGrady since she was traded to the expansion side last December.
• Defender Sam Staab will make her debut as team captain in her hometown of San Diego today. This will also be the first match of Sam Staab’s professional career in San Diego.
• Goalkeeper Devon Kerr could make her NWSL regular season debut today. Kerr made her league debut on April 3, playing the first half of the Challenge Cup match against Orlando at Audi Field.
• Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart could become just the second overall 40+-year-old player and first such goalkeeper to take the field in NWSL history (Christie Pearce played for Sky Blue FC at age 42).
• Midfielder Dorian Bailey could appear in her first match since May 15’s contest against Angel City FC at Audi Field. Bailey is returning from a cheekbone fracture.
• Midfielder Jordan Baggett could appear in her first match since May 7’s Challenge Cup Championship match against the North Carolina Courage. Baggett is returning from a concussion.
• Forward Tara McKeown could appear in her first match since March 30’s Challenge Cup match against NJ/NY Gotham FC at Segra Field. McKeown is returning from a foot injury.
• Averie Collins and Alia Martin will be available for the first time this season after returning from injury.
• Anna Heilferty is back from Sweden after competing with the United States U-23 national team in late June. Heilferty started both matches for the U-23s.
• National team replacement (NTR) Marissa Sheva can make her first career start today. Sheva earned her first cap of the season on June 4, coming in as a substitute against NJ/NY Gotham FC.
• NTR signee Jamia Fields could make her Spirit debut and first NWSL appearance since last season when she played with the Houston Dash.
• The Spirit will be without Ashley Hatch, Aubrey Kingsbury, Kelley O’Hara, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Emily Sonnett and Andi Sullivan today as the seven players continue to compete for the USWNT at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in Monterrey.

The match will be broadcast on Paramount+ for fans in the United States and on Twitch for international viewers. Following the match, the Spirit will host a press conference with head coach Kris Ward and two players. Fans can stream the postgame presser via the Washington Spirit Twitch channel. The team will return from its second west coast trip of the season to take on the new-name Kansas City Current at Segra Field on Sunday, July 10.

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