NWSL Washington Spirit

Lori Lindsey Named Washington Spirit Captain

Published on April 14, 2013 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Washington Spirit News Release


BOSTON, Ma. - The Washington Spirit have named U.S. National Team and World Cup veteran Lori Lindseyteam captain. The 33 year old will anchor the midfield tonight (6:30 p.m.) in Boston in the first professional game played by the Washington Spirit, and the fourth game in the opening weekend of the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

"Lori is a natural leader and serious competitor," said head coach Mike Jorden, "Since her first day of preseason she's been a complete professional in every aspect, and is committed not only to winning, but to helping mentor our young players."

The Spirit preseason started over one month ago, and after a grueling five-game series against top college competition, DC face the Boston Breakers tonight at Dilboy Stadium in suburban Boston (Somerville). While it will be the first professional game for most of the young Spirit team, Lindsey carries the distinction of having played in both of the previous U.S. pro women's leagues.

"There are a lot more young players getting a chance to experience the professional level in NWSL than in previous leagues," said Lindsey, "Then you add the best players in the world to that, and it makes it a very exciting thing to be a part of. I'm honored to be the one Mike wants to lead this group."

Fans unable to attend in person tonight at Dilboy can watch the game online (for a fee of $4.99). Links provided on www.bostonbreakers.com.

SPIRIT OPEN SEASON AT BOSTON, LIVE VIA WEB STREAM

Sunday's match will mark the season opener for both clubs, as they strive for a leg up in the eight-team standings. All teams will play 22 games, with the top four qualifying for the NWSL playoffs. The match will be available via an online stream, which can be found at www.bostonbreakers.com.

TOGETHER AT LAST

The Spirit will have the full roster together for the first time since early in the preseason against Duke, as their quartet of international players has returned from national team duty. Defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris started in a 3-1 U.S. win over the Netherlands on Tuesday, then rejoined the Spirit on Thursday. Meanwhile, defender Robyn Gayle and midfielder Diana Matheson came back from duty with Canada on Tuesday. Matheson started in Canada's 1-1 draw with France and 1-0 loss to England, and Gayle came on as a substitute against France and started the sequence that led to her team's equalizer.

STRONG AT THE BACK

Those international players serve as the backbone of a strong defensive unit. The Spirit opened the preseason with consecutive shutouts of Penn State, Duke and North Carolina, two of the strongest college offenses and the reigning national champions, respectively. While Candace Chapman is not likely to see the field today, she is with the team. All other defenders are 100% fit.

ABOUT THE BREAKERS

The Breakers will present a solid test for that Spirit back line, as Boston comes in with plenty of attacking prowess. A talented forward pairing of rising U.S. star Sydney Leroux and Australian Kyah Simon sits in front of U.S. midfielder Heather O'Reilly, making the Breakers what Spirit coach Mike Jorden calls "one of the more dangerous teams in the league," and "one of the top sides in the league on paper." The Breakers are a bit less solidified on the back line, as they list just four healthy defenders on their roster and will lean on veteran Cat Whitehill for steady leadership.

SPIRIT NOTCH 2-2-1 RECORD IN PRESEASON

Those three matches marked an undefeated start to the preseason for the Spirit, with a 1-0 win over the Nittany Lions, scoreless draw with Duke and 2-0 victory against North Carolina. For the final two games, the Spirit were without their international players and a handful of injured players, resulting in a 2-0 defeat at Maryland and a 6-3 loss to Virginia. The Spirit's preseason goals came via Tiffany McCarty (3), Caroline Miller, Jasmyne Spencer, and training camp trialist Olivia Wagner.

SPIRIT SIGN SPENCER, FINALIZE ROSTER

The Spirit finalized their opening day roster this week by signing forward Jasmyne Spencer and waiving defender Skyy Anderson. Spencer, whom the Boston Breakers chose in the fourth round of the NWSL Supplemental Draft earlier this year, will bring a scoring touch to the Spirit attack that she honed in college at Maryland and while playing overseas with the Danish club Br=F8ndby. The 22-year-old finished her career with the Terrapins ranked among the top 10 in school history for goals, points, shots and game-winning goals, and while in Denmark, she played in two UEFA Women's Champions League Matches. "We're excited to see what Jasmyne will add to our offense," Spirit coach Mike Jorden said. "She's a very talented young player, and we expect her to be a valuable part of our attack as we begin NWSL play."

FAMILIAR FACES

Two Boston players, Joanna Lohman and Lianne Sanderson both played for Mike Jorden in D.C. last year in the W-League D.C. United Women's team, which was operated by the same ownership and management as the Spirit.

CLUB NOTES

SPIRIT PREPARE FOR HOME OPENER NEXT WEEKEND

Next Saturday, April 20, will mark the Spirit's first ever NWSL home match at the Maryland SoccerPlex as the club welcomes in the Western NY Flash and reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Abby Wambach. Tickets for the match are selling at a strong pace, with over 1200 individual seats sold in addition to the 700+ season ticket holders so far. Organizers expect a very full stadium, if not completely sold out next Saturday in the 4,500-capacity, soccer-specific SoccerPlex Stadium.

SPIRIT RESERVES SIGN ALEX DOLL, HOLDING TRYOUTS

Formally known as D.C. United Women, the Washington Spirit Reserves are ramping up for the USL W-League season, which begins in one month. The club has confirmed Alex Doll will join the reserves following her spring semester at Stanford: http://www.washingtonspirit.com/?p1491

SPIRIT ALLIANCE FAN CLUB APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Online applications are now available for the Spirit Alliance, a professionally managed,

members-only fan club that provides enthusiastic Spirit fans with preferred rewards, discounts and access to exclusive events attended by players and coaches. In addition, a portion of each Spirit Alliance member's dues will help fund tickets to Spirit games for area disadvantaged youth. The Spirit Alliance encompasses two levels of membership, and more information is available at www.washingtonspirit.com/alliance.

SCOREBOARD AND BEER GARDEN

When fans arrive for the home opener, they will notice progress in the conversion of the 4,500-capacity Maryland SoccerPlex stadium from the previous branding of the former WPS Washington Freedom tenants into the new home of the Spirit. The large sign under the scoreboard bearing the Freedom's old web address has been removed, soon-to-be-replaced with one reading www.washingtonspirit.com. The old sponsor boards to either side of the jumbotron will also reflect new supporters of both the Maryland Soccer Foundation and the Washington Spirit. The old Freedom logo over the jumbotron may not be removed in time for the season opener. One old Washington Freedom tradition - The Beer Garden will be restored to its place atop the hill for the season, and will be operated by Famous Dave's with at least three beer choices offered on tap.

SEASON TICKETS AND SELLOUTS

Total season ticket packages have neared the 1,000 mark to date, with one section completely sold out, one near a sellout and two others quickly disappearing all in the premium "VIP Reserved Midfield" ticket level. The remaining six sections on the "Home Side" of the stadium have already completely sold out for the team's April 20 season opener, as well as the expected debut visit of Alex Morgan to the SoccerPlex with her Portland Thorns FC team on May 4. Season, group and individual tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.washingtonspirit.com or by calling 301-337-8579.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 14, 2013


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