SoccerWise - NWSL Edition: Aubrey Kingbsury (Washington Spirit) Challenge Cup Preview

Episode Date: March 7, 2025

The first game of the season is here and Soccerwise has you covered with the full match preview. First Jordan & David talk about the big news surrounding the Portland Thorns. Then they dig into how the Spirit & Pride have progressed since the NWSL Championship match and how this latest face off could play out. Then Washington Spirit starting GK and 2x NWSL GKOY Aubrey Kingsbury stops by to chat about her offseason, the new additions to the squad, goals for this season, and revenge against Orlando. Don't forget to listen to our massive team by team preview with guests Lori Lindsey & Jill Loyden from earlier this week.3:22 Portland Thorns News6:05 Challenge Cup Preview of Washington vs Orlando19:19 Aubrey Kingsbury Interview Soccerwise Live 2pm ET Every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on Youtube/Twitch/Twitter

Hey everybody, welcome back to Soccer Wise. David Goss and Jordan Angeley with you once again this week. Jordan, it has been a hectic week because the season's around the corner. We did our season preview already this week because the kick's around the corner. We did our season preview already this week because the kickoff of the NWSL regular season is exactly one week away. But before that even, we have the NWSL Challenge Cup, 8 p.m. Eastern time on a Friday night. Yes, that is this week on Friday night.

So we're doing a special to help get you previewed for that. We've got an interview coming up with Aubrey Kingsbury in a couple moments, starting goalkeeper for the Washington Spirit, talking all about her off season, what Washington's building to, and of course a little bit about revenge as a team that finished second to Orlando twice last year in two different competitions. And we will give our thoughts about the game as well. But Jordan, it's been a hectic week, but it's been fun. I am so excited for the season. Just being able to sit and chat with Lori and Jill for almost two hours about NWSL got

the blood flowing. It really did. I hope you guys enjoyed that because we had a blast planning that episode out and getting to talk to Jill and Lori. And one of the things I really appreciate is just how unique their views are, especially Jill. What a clutch person to have on that pod, right? You're loving the goalkeeper, Chad.

I am because we don't talk about it enough and it is in the modern game, the way that goalkeepers need to play, especially, I mean, we're going to talk about Washington Spirit. You have to be a ball playing goalkeeper and be able to break pressure down if you are a part of these teams. So it was so much fun. And I feel like this is just going to how it's going to be the feeling we get week after week. Now that season is upon us. Like there's just a lot to do and a lot to talk about. So I'm excited that it starts with number one and number two from 2024 in this challenge cup should be an interesting game

So if you want to you should go back and listen to the preview if you haven't yet I think for anyone who's a fan of a team. I think it's really good conversations We have a timestamp for every single team in the full podcast because it is all the things and then they stand alone as individual Videos on YouTube if you just wanna go watch your team. I would recommend listening to the other ones because I think that's where it's like, we gave you everything you should know going into the season in which,

let's say you're not a Washington, Orlando fan, like the first three things you should look for, the big question mark that we gave all of those, which I think will give people a cool opportunity to understand the league, even if you maybe have never watched NWSL before like it's the perfect primer For all of that, but as you said

Everyone sort of sees it in a different way. I think for Laurie being on those prime games She's in market every week and she's seeing things and having conversations that are a little different and then you have Jill who has Her view on the game a little bit different and then yourself as well And so that for me was really fun as you can see all that color The angle people took and what they are considering and worried about and not about the teams one thing I will note yes We did do a Portland Thorn segment in which we expressed worry about that team We did not know at the time that Sophia Wilson would be unavailable for the season She has announced that she will be missing the year she is pregnant and then maternity

leave. So congratulations to her and her new husband. They just got married in the off season, hence the name shift from Wilson to Smith. But it- Other way. Smith to Wilson. Sorry. Other way.

You were close. I don't think it changes a ton of what we said because I think there was already worries about Portland going into this with the three season ending injuries that they had announced as well as of course all the legends that have left the team in retirement or walked away whatever it is. And so it is amazing how quickly though the ground shifts in this league. It makes my worry even more for this Portland team because she is such a focal point and she's a game changer. Sophia Wilson is a game changer not in just this league but internationally too.

She can make or break a game and when you don't have her as a focal point in your team and with all the injuries as you just mentioned, I'm worried about Portland. This could be their worst finish that we have ever seen the club have. If they don't make some drastic changes in these next couple weeks or think about that summer window and how they could at least get to there and make some big changes but ooh, yikes. Yeah, they made a minor move I believe right in between this with the acquisition of, do

you want to fill in for me here? Yeah, Torpy from San Diego. Not as big as you're gonna make it is really tough at this point of the year to find a player of that level and quality and you know, and be available. I do think and maybe I mentioned this on the show, or we've talked about this off air, like, can you be a club that maybe goes out and find some players who are? Disillusioned with their team and be like hey, here's a chance for a fresh start And you're kind of taking a flyer on a bit of an unknowns. We've seen sort of some

Murkiness around Manchester United and like are there available players that can come into an attack this probably also has something to do with the Daniel Castellanos Addition and like we have, is it a center forward? Is it an attacking midfielder? Well, there's space now across that attacking front three. Yeah, absolutely. And I know we're about to talk about Washington, but if Ule Sarr is healthy, like they have a stacked front line.

Yeah, interesting. Maybe that's someplace you go to try to get and Ashley Hatch and say, hey, you're going to be our number one center forward and you're going to come in and play every minute. Just a thought on that. But it is going to be interesting. No, I think that's right. And that's a player who started four playoff games in a championship. So like knows that she's a starter in this league.

Lena Solano has left Washington, so it takes away a little bit of the depth, but they've continued to add signing some college players this year. Let's talk about these teams because for two teams that left last season of course on a high different for Washington but you still have to say on a high like year one of Yonatan Heralda's year one of this build in this setup to get to a final to get second place to sell out the stadium are are all massive things neither team lost the time So they're both coming back to this year with a really high floor, a strong base, and then they've made small additions that could be massive over the course of this season. This is one of my favorite things about NWSL where we're

at now in what year 13 is this is you can really build depth within a squad and keep teams together for long periods of time because there's sustainability in this league. And we didn't have that for so long and a lot of players would retire young and so there's constant turnover and there was a little bit of a valley between experienced players and rookies, right? There was not many players in between. And now I think we're seeing that this league is sustainable and players are staying for five to 10 years. And it's really creating a lot of good depth in this league. And so when you look at these two teams, and we talked about this so many times last year, Goss, these are the deepest teams in NWSL.

And one of the reasons is because they've created environments where people want to stay for a number of years. So I think it makes sense that we see these two finishing first and second. And now as we approach this 2025 season, what are the little things you can do to get better? I think that's where you and I maybe are most curious about these squads. where you and I maybe are most curious about these squads. And let's start with Orlando, because I think Orlando is an interesting one. The move they've made to bring in Ohani, which is the big addition that they made in this off season. I think the shift is, can you be even more ball dominant and control games even more? And then you have more flexibility

across the other positions right because you're taking a non-natural fullback shifting them back into your midfield depth pool and you're bringing in a player in Hoani who probably takes some pressure off central midfield in possession or takes some pressure off an alley watt who can maybe now come inside and become a second forward more often and that maybe fits her profile a little more than what Adriana wanted to do, who you have sold. Like it feels like for Orlando,

as good as they were last year, I don't know that they ended the season you said against every team in NWSL. They can dictate the tempo and the tone of the game. They could win every game obviously inside of that, but now I feel like I'm starting to see that next step forward of becoming like a ball dominant team. And it's something that they've been like slowly trying to layer into this group and with Ohane she is a true right back but I think one of the

things that we've seen so much with Orlando and maybe we'll see it in this this first Challenge Cup game is they have so many different rotations in the way that they use their left outside back, especially when it's Cariabello, who comes inside at moments and can play as an additional central player. Well, now could you possibly do that with your right side and overload that space where Marta loves to play and create a 3v2 or create just a ball or a numerical advantage on the right side as well. Just think that it's just adding another tool to their toolbox. And two of the players that stuck out to me, you mentioned Ali Watt.

I think this is going to be a really big year for Ali Watt because no more Adriana and so there's going to be more playing time for her. And I think as you look across the back line, Hafele is healthy again too. And two years ago when Orlando got Hafele, this was the best center back, one of the best center backs in the world. And her ability to play with her left foot is elite and I just think of that cross cross field release ball to Aliwa and if if Hafele ends up finding minutes in in this Orlando squad how many different

weapons she can be able to help them use to expose the defense. Yeah one of the best passing centerbacks in the world, as you said. The other thing that's interesting is they traded for Carson Pickett last year, who kind of wanted to come home, who does like to stay wide and get high. So can you actually potentially have the same balance every game in which Pickett on Ohani can start together or then you flip it and you've got a bellow on the left. You know what I mean? Like one coming inside but always having the options on both sides. One of the other things

besides Hafele that I didn't mention I don't think in our preview but someone maybe brought up is Grace Chanda also coming back from the season ending injury list. This is a player that they are very excited about that they think can be a factor. I think a little bit of a different attacker again so another change to the mix as well, but there is optionality for this Orlando team to take the next step. In talking about that, we're gonna talk to Aubrey Kingsbury in just a moment.

I was lucky enough to sit down with her earlier and I asked about what's next. What's the steps under Yonatan Giraldez and all of that. I thought it was interesting. Yonatan Giraldez did an interview with The Guardian where he was like, my players here are different than when I had at Barcelona but my principles are the same.

And I work my principles into that. And I love that he says that and every coach kind of does. I don't know how true it was the whole time last year. I think there was some acceptance of like, this is the most I can build on the fly. And there were games where they built out of the back and they drew in pressure and they broke teams down but then there was a lot of games where it was sitting a little deeper and getting you know going in transition and obviously Corey Bethune a

ton of success in that style it is gonna be fascinating to see the next step for them but in trying to replace Andy Sullivan for the year to bring in Narumi to me is like the weather vane saying yeah we're going in that direction. Yeah I really we've both talked about how much we like this pickup and just how with the football IQ of Nerumi is evident in Sean Nejas's system and I'm really curious to see how she's utilized with Jonathan Heralda's because it feels like she's perfect for this. When you think of a Barcelona player, right, when his time in Barcelona, these are ball-heavy

players, press resistant, they can like proceed the ball up the field or progress the ball, excuse me, up the field. And I think when I look at this Washington team, I know that that is going to be an addition, but the question is how are you going to break down a lower block when teams don't give you the space in behind. And that's where I go to McKenna Morris. I think she's going to have a really interesting year and depending on where they utilize her, but she can play in the pocket and be a different player than the forwards that they have. But Lacey Santos, if you don't have Croix Bethune, and as far as I know, she is not off SEI, but we have not heard anything.

We're not really sure what we're going to see. We don't know if we'll see Rodman. We don't know if we'll see Croix Bethune. It seems from everything I've heard out of Washington, it seems positive that Croix Bethune is going to be a factor this year. Yes. From week one, we don't know. Right.

And maybe we'll find out, maybe when you're listening to this, you'll already know if she is available or not. But those positions, those pocket players, the 10s, maybe it's a winger who comes centrally, those players are going to be really important for Washington because if you can be a little bit more ball dominant, get more players into the attack, that's the key to unlock defense. So those two players and then Cry Bethune, I think those three will have to have really excellent seasons for them if they're going to take that next step. The other thing that I always think of with a player like Narumi is because they are so

clean in possession and like you said, press resistant, it allows other players to take risks because you don't have as many uncalculated turnovers. So does it open up a Casey Kruger to start to underlap and take risks? I really liked what I saw from Paige Metzier last year, but if it's not, if it's Gabby Carl and Kruger flopping, whatever it is, all of these players can be difference makers in the attack from a defensive position. But if you don't know where the ball's gonna get lost, you're not allowed to take those risks

because you're in rest defense. And so does that open a little bit of the game up there for players like that, having Narumi in there as that sort of safety blanket? And even Lacey Santos, I think Lacey Santos, different attacker than Cory Bethune. there for players like that having the roomy in there as that sort of safety blanket and even lacy santos I think lacy santos different attacker than Cory Bethune what we saw once she came in is she is more of a close passing Connector of a player and so that again gives you the ability to anticipate like okay

She's not gonna all of a sudden turn charge up field take a risk lose the ball and now we're in trouble So I think there can be a little bit more built into that For some of these players and I think all all of that makes the game easier in this match. Uh, Washington lost in the regular season to close the year last year to Orlando. They finished second in the standings, then they lost and they ended up yourself. Final. We talked about in the season preview a lot of like Orlando was like, okay, we're going to give you the ball. We're going to sit deep. We're going to try and hit in transition.

Aubrey Kingsbury does mention in our interview, like she conceded two shots and one goal, which still haunts her a little bit from that game. Do you expect to see something different in this matchup? It's hard to say honestly, because it's the first game of the year. You kind of want to see what you're made of personally. Like I would think. It would be a little bit more open than that game, but also it's the first game of the year and you're rusty and you don't really, I think you have to give

these teams a little bit of a grace period as they start to integrate some of the players and some of the things that they've been working on in preseason. But I, I would imagine at times we're going to see some of the players and some of the things that they've been working on in preseason. But I would imagine at times we're gonna see both of these teams sitting back a little bit deeper and saying play through us because neither team has proved that that is where they're elite. Are they good at it? Yeah, but they're not great at it. And so I think it will be a game where it's back and forth in the possession swings. Like think of some of those monitors we have where it's like, here's the possession for one team and then it's going to go.

Seven minutes of dominance. Seven minutes of dominance. Yes. I think that is what it's going to look like. One of the things that both of these teams are really good at, if you make a mistake in playing out of the back, you gonna get punished. And I think we might see some goals through that because both these teams are trying to play a certain style and one mistake can be deadly. So I don't know truly

what to expect but it for me it feels like it will be a little bit of waves. I think that that makes sense to me. Listen, it's basically impossible because we haven't seen these teams play. I will say I think going back to last year, right, we knew how many changes there were to Gotham and like it wasn't going to be cohesive in this Challenge Cup game and San Diego took a little advantage of that, but we didn't really know at the time what San Diego's year was going to look like in the struggles they have. I don't have the same concern with these teams.

So I think it'll be a better soccer game again because so much more. I mean, I think that wasn't a big high. The weather did help as well. Playing in Orlando in March versus playing New York or New Jersey in March. True. Sorry to my Harrison locals and all that. I can't believe you of all people said that. Well, I'm a Long Islander so everything West Th thought and doesn't exist to me, so I wouldn't

know how to describe it anyway. You live, what, in Ohio? Something like that? I did, yes, that one. No, I just, you know, it's all the same. Oh, you're saying that. Oh, I was like, yeah, I did. Yeah, I shouldn't have picked one you actually did live in for a while in all of that.

So I think you're right. I think Orlando will play a little more open because they're home, because they already won, because this game doesn't mean as much as a championship and because they've taken progressions as a squad. So I think it'll be a little bit more open for those reasons, as you said with the mistakes, like any half chance, Barbara Banda is gonna take advantage. Any half chance, Trinity Rodman is gonna take advantage.

So like, there's not as as I think for an early season game The mistakes will be jumped on and I think there's a chance we get to see two three goals in that first half because of something Like that and that could open things up fingers crossed That is the hope either way we are going to do our weekend preview next week as our show So we're gonna preview every single match again another chance for us to dig into every team. But to start that, we are going to do our predictions for what we think is coming up or what we think will happen this year. We're gonna do standings, we're gonna do some of the wards and all of that type of stuff. I sent you my first go through yesterday, which is literally just as I thought of each name where I placed

them. And I had these two teams in the top three again So my expectation is we are going to see a really good game on Friday night because these are some really good teams with a ton of returning talent either way Go listen to our season preview if you have not but before you do that here is our interview with Aubrey Kingsbury Well, we are lucky enough now to be joined by someone who's going to be playing in the big game on Friday night. We've got Aubrey Kingsbury with us getting ready for the NWSL Challenge Cup and joining us here on Soccer Wise. Aubrey, thanks for taking the time. Yeah, of course.

Excited that the season's about to start and yeah, looking forward to having some games and something to talk about here. Yeah, something for us to watch and something for us to talk about. We are extremely excited at Soccer Wise. But before we get into it, let's start off season, right? It's the one time of year for players to sort of be normal people and get vacations and all that stuff.

Were there any highlights, anything big that went on? Yeah, I try to take advantage of each off season because like you're saying, we just don't get the time during the year to travel and take some time away to ourselves. So me and my husband went to Hawaii for the first time, which was absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't been there. We went to two different islands. And also after that, I went to a teammates wedding.

Liza Bosselman, now Liza Jessie, one of our goalkeepers. So yeah, the wedding circuit always heats up in December for all the NWCEL athletes as well. So a lot to fit in in a short amount of time. At least if it's a teammate, it's not gonna be during the playoffs. Cause that unfortunately turns out can happen, which is something we've learned. I hope you've told everyone in your life Well, this is the hard stop of when I'm done. Yeah, it's not December. There's a strong chance. I will not be there

Do we get adventure stuff in Hawaii? Are you a? Fly off the back of a boat person. I'm not like even when I'm I have an off day, I can't like, just be sedentary. I'm not like a couch kind of person. So yeah, my husband actually joked like that he needed a vacation from our vacation because I was dragging him on like 10 mile hikes every day. And poor guy was even sick but like was willing to to push through because there was just so much I wanted to see but yeah a lot of great hikes in Hawaii a lot of good food live music so I like a mix of beach but also

mountains and being active also got to spend some good time with my family. We went and rented an Airbnb south of Miami for Christmas. So it was fun to just all be together and yeah, just have some time to be present. Cause even if I do have time with them in the season, I have to prioritize sleep and nutrition and, you know, being an athlete is a full-time job something you consider 24-7 so just having a couple weeks of not having to train not having to worry too much about what I'm eating really was really nice yeah I'm

curious from last year obviously you didn't have your full-time head coach going into this season. So it must have changed the way preseason was when he left you all at the end of last season. Was it, I'll talk to you again in two months or has there been throughout all this time communication and tape and game model and all that type of stuff going on? It was a pretty quiet off season and that's kind of a perk of making it to the end, you know, you Well a you have less time in the half season. So it's kind of like okay like

Obviously you did well, right? It's so there's not too much to address and to fix and solve for the next year Which is a great thing, of course But then yeah, we just we played right up until Thanksgiving. So it's kind of like, all right, like everyone's kind of scattered. He goes their separate ways. And it was pretty quiet, quiet during the offseason. Again, that's like a luxury of returning a lot of the same staff and players. Like there weren't too many things that needed to be addressed. And we have a very international staff, a lot of international players. So also everyone wants to go spend time with their families

and it's hard to communicate across all the time zones. So yeah, it was probably one of the quietest off seasons. But again, like it was a good thing. I think we needed that time. And as the season has gotten longer and longer, and the demands are higher, we're playing more games, the games are more intense. I think having that break where, you know, it's quiet, they can't touch you, bother you, whatever, track all your data. It's great to enable you then to run the marathon that is the season and have the endurance

to finish that. And ultimately, we want to be our best in November. So really, if we're doing crazy stuff in January, we're going to be exhausted come November. So it's just nice for everyone to get a break and recharge. And then it made us more excited once we began this preseason together. Yeah you it sounds like a lot of warm weather now back in freezing cold Maryland DMV area. But preseason is now on as we get ready for the Challenge Cup. So now Yonatan Haraldas is there. What's it been like the Challenge Cup. So now, Yonatan Haraldas is there.

What's it been like the first time under him and with the group? It's been great to start from a really high level. Again, that is a luxury. We've had, I think, probably four or five head coaches in my eight seasons here. So it seems like we're always starting from scratch and have to lay a foundation in the beginning and get new players up to speed. But since we're returning the majority of players, we're only integrating a couple. So we've been able to start at a higher level of understanding of our principles of play, of our identity, just the spaces that we want to occupy and

kind of the relationships we want to have on the pitch. So it's been a lot of fun to continue to grow and have all this time to train. And like you said, we went on two trips to Florida. So those are really intensive days, but you kind of enjoy that as a competitor. And for me, I love goalkeeping training. So you got to get a really like that's good in training and not worry too much about preparing the match on the weekend, but really dig into some of the individual development kind of things.

You mentioned only a few new pieces, but some big names, Nerumi coming into this squad, obviously the loss of Andy Sullivan for the season. And then Rebecca Bernal coming on as well from Mexico. What do you think these new players bring to the group? What have you seen from them early on? Yeah, we're really excited about all of them, really. I've seen the most out of Nerumi just because she's been here from the beginning of the season.

Rebecca was a recent signing and she's just been in training for a couple days after getting her visa. But I think they've done a great job in assembling a really competitive, really talented team. And yeah, I think they've all fit in very seamlesslessly, especially no roomy. She is a really high soccer IQ really technical player and yeah, I'm excited to see how she continues to grow into our system and Yeah, I'm really excited because again, I like I was saying we started started preseason at such a high level and Man, we're only to get so much better. Yeah.

It's a large part. I saw an interview with you on San Geraldo is where he said, you know, my principles of play always apply even though I moved from Barcelona here and it's a different style of players. We saw him obviously develop over time and those Barca teams become dominant. What is the next step style wise or whatever it is on the field for this club? How do you go from last year, which is a great year, but a lot of probably seconds instead of first to the next step, whether it's in terms of results or in terms of style?

I think the answer is consistency. There were some performances last year where we looked great for 60 minutes and not 90 or especially towards the end we had a hard time finishing. So we would be dominant in possession and really limit opponents chances. But as you saw in the final, I don't know, we had 20 some shots and couldn't score. So I think consistency being able to carry out the game plan and the way we want to play the whole 90 minutes, especially on the road, we didn't drop many points at home but yeah, struggled a little bit more on the road. So consistency, especially on the road, but then also finishing. We have so much exciting attacking talent but just

lacked that final piece at times. So if we can get a little bit more clinical in the box and put away the chances that we create, I think we can really separate ourselves from the rest of the teams in this league. You mentioned results at home, those crowds for the playoffs. What do you, I have chills thinking about it myself and I wasn't even there. What do you make of what that experience was like and what you're hoping to see for the rest of this year? Yeah, we call it rowdy outy That Audi will continue to be and be even more rowdy this year

We sold a couple games out But like I think that's our standard now quite honestly you come to Audi to Audi and it's going to be a near sellout, and the fans are going to be invested. They're going to be energetic. And we always felt, regardless of the time left in the match, of the score, that we were going to win. And we had so many late game winners or game time goals. That's incredible you know and the

flip side we really didn't drop points at the end so yeah hopefully we can not leave it for the last minute it is incredible to know like when you're playing it out you're never out and just like that we can swing the momentum and create something and get our fans behind us. And yeah, I love playing at home. It's an incredible feeling and some great memories in those playoff matches last year. They were electric. I think they really reverberated around the world of like, this is what playoff soccer

can be. This is what the women's game can be. This is what NWSL can be. You did mention though, all the shots in the final and it did not have that breakthrough have you watched the game and it's entirety no but parts of it parts of it yes especially the goal against yeah that has been seared in my mind but obviously like you know when you lose in the final it's not like you come back and you have game review the next day. Right.

So in a sense, you kind of just let it be. And obviously there was a lot of heartbreak and disappointment. And some parts of it weren't necessarily addressed. The feelings are still there. Offseason wasn't that long and we get to play them again here and it's kind of ironic that it's this big championship game you know the stakes are high for one match but it is the first game right it's preseason technically so it's it's gonna be interesting, I think,

to see just the level of intensity and competitiveness in a match that is really the first for us. What is this week like then? Like what is the Challenge Cup mean to you and to the team and how is it talked about going into, is it about revenge? What is it sort of about? We're treating it as a championship,

as the first trophy to win this year. So yeah, although we're not gonna be at full strength, and again, we've not even played 90 minutes together, not gonna use that as an excuse. We're gonna give it all we've got. We know that it's going to be physical. It's going to be probably emotionally heated. Yeah, there's no part of us that's like, oh, this doesn't matter. It's just the first match of the year. We can grow into the season. No, we

we're going to show up in Orlando on Friday to win and No, we we are going to show up in Orlando on Friday to win and it means it means a lot to us. Like I said, it's the first trophy that we hope to win for this year. Last year was the first time we saw this format. We saw Gotham of course face off against San Diego. Do you like this concept of having this championship match right before the actual full season starts? Yeah, I think it's better than past years of a preseason tournament. I think the players would prefer it this way. I think it's cool because it sets the tone for the rest of the league. I know as a player last year I was watching the match because no one else has games. So I think a lot of the eyes of the soccer world, the media, the players, like everyone is kind of watching

and it's a neat opportunity to showcase some of the best and hopefully for us make a statement about what you're about to see for the rest of the year. And yeah, just kind of kickstart what I hope will be a really exciting season, not only for us, but for the league. Like we've continued to grow and gosh, it's just, yeah, this league is incredible.

Brought in some incredible talent across the league. And every match is exciting. Every match is a nail-biter. You're never out of it. So, yeah, I'm really looking forward to seeing what surprises may be in store for us, what the dark horses are gonna be. But yeah, I'm sure it's gonna be another great year

for them to be so. Yeah, we did our season preview and it just feels like everyone at a minimum got a little bit stronger. And the league's gonna be even harder to win in than it was last year. And of course, two expansion teams last year, now they come in with their feet under them

before we've got two more coming up next year. For yourself, for Aubrey Kingsbury, what is your process of thinking about your season? What you want to accomplish? Do you write stuff down? Do you have a goal chart that the goalkeeper group works on? What does 2025 mean for you?

We don't really have anything as a group. For me personally I do have certain goals but they're more geared towards certain skills or processes, not necessarily outcomes because a lot of things are outside of my control especially as a goalkeeper. But personally, I want to be even better in possession, increasing my range of passing, tempo, things like that. I think that's the area where I can grow the most, especially coming in with Jonah, who wants to play, who wants to get the goalkeeper involved. My role has kind of changed depending on who the head coach is, but Jonah really wants

to play with all 11. That's been fun. It's been a great learning opportunity for me, and I'm excited that even as a veteran and a longstanding member of the NWSL, I'm still challenged and growing, and I still believe I've not even come close to hitting my peak yet. So yeah, I'm excited and looking forward to kind of being more involved in possession. On the flip side, defensively,

I feel like the better we get, I really don't have to do too much. Yeah. Whereas the early days of the spirit, like I was saving a couple breakaways a game. And I think last year, I don't I can't even recall any break like a couple we gave away all season. So that's great, you know, but it definitely changes the role that I'm asked to play as as you

are a goalkeeper for a solid team, things are much more controlled and predictable in front of me. But at the same time, it almost makes it a little harder because I'm a little less involved and sometimes you can hit that sweet spot of having a bit more to do and being engaged. Yeah, so it's definitely a mental challenge to be ready for the one or two opportunities again I'll reference the final I think

they had two shots on goal and they scored one so how can I stay more involved when we're out of possession while not really touching the ball so that's that's also something that I will continue to work on, just maybe playing a little bit higher this year, especially against players like Banda and Chewinga, where if they're over the top, you're not catching them. So can we eliminate those opportunities really before they happen?

In possession, I think we started to see, as last year went along, especially with Esmé Morgan in the group, other teams go and press her and Tara and sort of say, we're gonna make Aubrey Kingsbury beat us at that first line, that first ball out the back, and we started to see you link up with the midfielders or play the fullbacks on the wing. Are you enjoying that experience?

Are you enjoying that, you know, now you look like a line-breaking midfielder. Yeah, I love it. I want to be involved in the game. I want to help break down the opponent and honestly that's when we're at our best. When teams press us because then they're coming higher up and we can exploit the space behind and then you've got Trinity Rodman, Rose Kasi, like we have, again, some of the best, most exciting attackers in this league, in the world. So yeah, it's a mix. Some teams would really come at us, but then others almost drop into that block that doesn't

even confront us till midfield. So we saw in the final and we had a hard time breaking that down. So I think that's another way that I hope to see us evolve is to being able to break down the opponents, regardless of how they defend us, but just be a little bit more efficient or adapt quicker if they're doing something other than what we expected or yeah, if they're not pressing us as high on the pitch. One of the best attackers in the world was Corrie Bethune. She won the Rookie of the Year, unfortunately with her injury, but we saw a great year from

her. But the rookies overall, Hal Hirschfeld, Kenna Morris getting the start in the final, so many of them, they all in and out one year older and you did not bring in that next rookie class the same. Does the group feel a little more experienced? Does it feel like a different culture without the college house running around? Yeah. Right. We've got a bunch of sophomores now. Yeah, we didn't really sign too many

college players this year. Like I said, we've signed a couple more internationals. But I think maybe that's because there's no draft. And yeah, there's just a bunch of different factors that play into that. We didn't need to add, you know, a whole new squad, we just needed a couple more pieces. But to their credit, they never acted like rookies came in and were incredibly professional on off the pitch very mature and very just dedicated self-driven wanting to not just get on the field but to be impact players and they really came through in a bunch of high-pressure moments like I think of the semifinal you've got McKenna Morris delivering that free kick put it on a platter for how Hirsch

felt to head it home. Like that's two rookies. It's crazy. Semi-final you don't you don't see that and I think we almost kind of forgot like it's really hard to make an impact in the league. Like sure you can get in every now and then but to be like an impact player and league. Sure, you can get in every now and then, but to be an impact player. And Croy was a shoe-in for rookie of the year playing half a season, but you could have made an argument that McKenna, Hal, we could have had our whole rookie class nominated for that award. Like any other year, their efforts would have won it, but just Croy,

she's not acting like a rookie at all. She won midfielder of the year. Again, that was probably unanimous across the league and she didn't even play three quarters of the season. So yeah, they're an incredible group of sophomores and I expect even greater things from them. And yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue to develop and play even bigger roles on the squad. So for Washington 2025, is there a stated goal? Is there the pressure on? Is there a minimum that has to be hit?

Like what's the conversation of what this year will be? Yeah, I mean, everyone plays to win, right? It's not like, oh, I think this year we're just gonna go for NWCL finalists again. Obviously it's to go one better. We wanna win everything. Jonah especially, you've gotten to talk with him. He is one of the most competitive

coaches I've ever met like he still kind of has that competitiveness in him that you would expect from like a player or someone like lives and dies by the result on the weekend and he really drives us to be our best every day our trainings are so competitive so challenging And so that almost makes the game easier because We are so well prepared throughout the course of the week And then we just get into the match and just do the things that we've been doing all week Yeah, so it's not like we have any big banner of our goals. We all know we want to win everything.

That starts with Friday. Yep. It is going to be a fun one. It is. What a way to start the year. A rematch of the championship. Two best teams in the league last year and some unbelievable superstars and just strong teams on the field for this one.

So everyone tune in for that one on Friday. Aubrey, I appreciate you taking the time to join us here and hopefully we'll talk again soon and you will have one as a challenge cup and be rolling on into the season. Yeah, yeah, that's the plan. Thanks, David. Thank you so much, Aubrey, for taking the time.

Good luck in the NWCEL challenge cup. Good luck to the Orlando Pride as well. Thank you, Jordan, for being with me this whole week in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Good luck to the Orlando Pride as well. Thank you, Jordan, for being with me this whole week. And now we roll into the season. So let's go.