Forward Mariana Speckmaier Departing Spirit for New Zealand’s Wellington Phoenix FC
Speckmaier will join the A-League Women side for the upcoming 2023-24 season
Washington, D.C. (08/17/2023) – Washington Spirit forward Mariana Speckmaier is departing from the club to sign with Wellington Phoenix FC of the Australian A-League Women, both clubs announced today. Speckmaier recently signed with the Spirit as a national team replacement (NTR) player in June and scored her first NWSL goal in game-winning fashion earlier this month against Orlando.
“Mariana has played various important roles with the Spirit this season, whether it be in training or stepping up and helping the team earn points in the absence of our World Cup players,” said Spirit President of Soccer Operations/General Manager Mark Krikorian. “We wish her the best in Wellington and are excited to continue to see her succeed.”
Founded in 2021, Wellington Phoenix FC is entering its third season as part of A-League Women. The club is led by new manager Paul Temple and plays its home matches at Sky Stadium in Wellington which recently hosted nine matches of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Speckmaier was originally drafted by the Spirit with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft out of Clemson University. The forward made three appearances with the Spirit during the side’s 2021 NWSL Championship run before playing abroad in 2022. At the international level, Speckmaier has made more than ten appearances for the Venezuelan national team, scoring twice. In four seasons at Clemson, the Miami native native netted over 25 goals and earned Second Team All-ACC honors twice with the Tigers.
Defender Jordan Thompson, the Spirit’s other 2023 NTR, is continuing to train with the team following the expiration of her contract’s terms as the club’s seven World Cup players returned this week.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the professional women’s soccer team based at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia and Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Launched in 2012, the Spirit play in the National Women’s Soccer League, the premier women’s soccer competition in North America. For more information about the Spirit, visit www.WashingtonSpirit.com, follow the club on Twitter @WashSpirit and on Facebook at facebook.com/washingtonspirit.
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