This past season could have been better for the NWSL team, the Washington Spirit, placing 11th with a 3-9-10 record. Hopefully, going into the 2023 season, things will look better for the team. 

They brought on a familiar face, Mark Parsons, as head coach this week. He had previously coached the Spirit before going to the Portland Thorns, then had an unsuccessful season and Euros campaign as manager of the Netherlands. Now, he is back in the United States and ready to focus on improving the foundation of this team. 

Along with Michele Kang taking the helm of this team, there are high hopes for its future in the NWSL. This is one of many teams that have come back from corrupt coaches and staff being allowed to continue working in close proximity with players, affecting the entire team. Kang is working to ensure these players can flourish and do what they are paid to do – PLAY SOCCER!

Kang tipped the scale in his willingness to return. The Spirit are attempting to modernize their staff and create a formidable infrastructure that can remain competitive no matter who is on the sideline.

“I had an opportunity to talk to the team earlier on, and I said, ‘You’re going to hear a lot from me on values, behaviors, and trust, and how we can build authentic trust,” Parsons said.

The new leadership for the Washington Spirit is making the necessary moves to build a better future for the team, so we will all have to wait and see what the 2023 season will hold.