Hi Spirit fans,

I hope all is well. Thank you for your support on our recent episodes, and I wanted to share one of our newest conversations now that some time has passed to process the move. We released an interview with Gift Monday a few days ago, focusing primarily on her time with the Spirit, and I hope it can be a good way to honor her Spirit legacy. Gift shared it on her Instagram and approved of this angle, so I wanted to share the episode here as well. I hope you all enjoy!

Dynamic Nigerian forward Gift Monday joins the podcast to share insider insights on the future of the Super Falcons, adjusting to the unique physical demands of the NWSL, and reflecting on her time with the Spirit.

Recorded mere days before, and published right after, her blockbuster trade to Boston Legacy FC from the Washington Spirit, this deep-dive interview covers her footballing journey from her earliest soccer memories into a prolific career that has spanned across multiple continents.

She pulls back the curtain on her development in the NWFL, detailing how winning a domestic title and finishing as the league's top scorer with the Bayelsa Queens prepared her to compete in elite environments like Spain’s Liga F with UD Tenerife, and ultimately the NWSL.

The prolific attacker gets incredibly candid about the emotional high of earning her first-ever senior call-up to represent the Super Falcons crest and stepping onto the pitch at the senior Women's World Cup. She breaks down the psychological pivot required to channel the disappointment of not making the 2025 WAFCON roster into incredible club form for the Spirit, eventually forcing her way back onto the international squad.

She takes us inside her transition to the NWSL, walking through the behind-the-scenes reality of her seamless adaptation to the league, including the exact shift in career trajectory she felt when she made league history by scoring the fastest-ever hat-trick from kickoff against the Houston Dash, and her ambitions for the rest of the season.

Finally, Gift breaks down the structural changes needed to help the national team regroup after recent continental heartbreak, the mindset of the locker room heading into the 2028 Olympic qualifiers, and the goals pinned to her soccer vision board.

Link to RSS (so you can choose your preferred podcasting platform):

Link to Spotify:

Link to Apple Podcasts:

The Washington Spirit has signed Sporting Director James Hocken to a new two-year contract with a 2029 option, the club announced today.

I will be in section 136. Should I arrive early? What is that area generally like? Any other advice?

• 9am: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea
  • Belem in the starting XI
  • streams here https://www.youtube.com/@ldmediatv3156/streams
• 9am: Tanzania vs Botswana
  • Clara was still in the United States last week; unclear if she ever traveled
• 12:15pm: Italy vs Belarus
  • Cantore and Di Guglielmo starting
  • https://www.youtube.com/live/gfsQ86yN7QA
• 1pm: Algeria vs Central African Republic
  • Bethi starting, scored in 4th minute
  • low-quality stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1SJOLALd7I
• 2:15pm: Scotland vs Czechia
  • Sandy in the starting XI
  • VPN to Czech Republic + https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10114956110-fotbal/226471291123011/
• 2:30pm: England vs Greece
  • Morgan on the bench
  • VPN to Greece + https://www.ert.gr/tv/live/
  • 9pm on tape delay: CBS Sports Golazo
• 3pm: Ivory Coast vs D.R. Congo
  • Rose has joined CIV's camp, appears to be starting in the RW/RM position (#12)
  • Stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/5-1yeQriuts
• 7pm: USA vs Spain – TBS, HBO Max (Spanish: Universo, Peacock)
• 7:30pm: Brazil vs Argentina
  • VPN to Brazil + https://www.youtube.com/@getv/streams

Came on for Bruninha in the 70th minute of Brazil's 3-1 win over Argentina today. Bruninha was apparently stretchered off with a knee issue.

She was at their press conference yesterday, funny moment at about 14:55 between her and the announcer who dubbed her "Bolt", apparently someone had told the announcer it was her nickname even though it really wasn't and Tamara had no idea where it came from.

Also funny moment at 17:20 as she and Bruninha search for the right words in several languages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jffFkH3_1w

Stainbrook returned to Dallas Trinity training for the first time since Spring. Part of my weekly coverage of Dallas Trinity FC in the USL Super League.

Interesting insights from Jason about the team’s current form and what that means for the playoffs and long-term outlook. Also they talked about Monday so obvs this was done pre-trade with Boston.

https://youtu.be/XHSqcYcn6Pg?is=VG6ygMu1j2wfxedK

Will update if I find additional options (e.g., YouTube streams), as usually happens throughout the day when there aren't official U.S. broadcasts (just legal and illicit international streams). Also updating for information about players who didn't travel.

• 9:30am: Ivory Coast vs D.R. Congo
  • Rose has remained in the United States due to Ebola-related travel restrictions for travel from the DRC (where one of the matches is being played) imposed by the United States
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJuuOzfyR2I
• 12:15pm: Italy vs Belarus
  • Cantore and Di Guglielmo NOT starting, available off the bench - neither saw any minutes
  • https://www.youtube.com/live/t41t1as_1GU
• 12:30pm: England vs Greece
  • Esme Morgan in the starting XI - Morgan was subbed out at 90' + 1
  • For now, VPN to the UK + ITVX streaming service
  • YouTube stream (may not persist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv2AO5lspVM
• 1pm: Algeria vs Central African Republic
  • Bethi not in matchday squad for Algeria (but in camp per training pics)
• 1pm: Tanzania vs Botswana
  • Luvanga may have remained with the Spirit this window (per a recent image taken at Spirit training facility posted to social media)
• 1pm: Scotland vs Czechia
  • Sandy in the starting XI - played the entire match
  • No VPN required: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktxw0XGRKZA
  • VPN to UK + BBC iPlayer
  • VPN to Czechia + https://sport.ceskatelevize.cz/zive-vysilani
• 7pm: Canada vs Denmark - Gabby started, Eli subbed in
  • Fox Soccer Plus and FOX One
• 9:30pm: Paraguay vs El Salvador - Claudia starts
  • https://www.youtube.com/live/LfD_4aOqpU8

So let's say, hypothetically, somehow they actually get the funding to put a roof on Audi Field. Where does the Spirit play for probably the two seasons while it is under construction?

https://wtop.com/dc/2026/10/new-audi-field-roof-to-bring-more-events-to-dc-owners-say-but-concerns-remain/

Hi Spirit fans, I know it’s still fresh but I’m working on the next African wave in the NWSL column and just wanted to chat to some fans about how they feel on the Monday transfer. I know it’s complicated but I want to have fan voices in the piece.
It should be a 5-10 minutes chat and I’ll use pieces to source and quote in the main article.

Thank you for your help.

Gift Monday transferred to Boston Legacy FC :'(

I know someone usually posts this, but has anyone figured out streaming for upcoming international games? Specifically looking to watch the Italy v Belarus and the England v Greece games 🙂

Hi!
Im heading over to Audi for the USA vs SPAIN game. Im in section 137. Is there any sun coverage or is it full sun? Trying to figure out what y wear/bring.
See yall there!

• This is why we love women's sports.
• https://www.instagram.com/p/DeKPJKujYTC

The "Listen Now" link doesn't work for me--maybe you need a VPN--but the download link worked.

Interview starts about two minutes into the pod, mostly about England but there is time for a Biscuit update as well.

Overview

• The match information below is based on various public sources (e.g., the Spirit call-up announcements are sometimes out of date). Details might prove incorrect/change over time. As of now, the information on U.S.-accessible streaming for this window is particularly sparse.
• Based on the schedule of matches, I plan to only create matchday posts for Friday and Tuesday (i.e., one post for any discussion of all the day's matches).
  • USWNT matches are widely discussed elsewhere (e.g., r/NWSL, r/USWNT).
  • For any other matches this window (e.g., matches featuring Spirit players on Monday, 10/12), you may be able to find match-specific threads in other subreddits ( r/WomensSoccer, r/CanadaSoccer, etc.).
• We as a community usually try to share updated streaming information in the matchday posts, as those details are more available then (e.g., YouTube or Facebook links). https://www.livesoccertv.com/women may also have updated information by then.
• In the comments below, feel free to flag any potential inaccuracies in this post or additional information you come across.

Thursday, October 8

• 2pm (all times EDT): Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea
  • Reminder: Alimata Bélem is a Burkinabé professional footballer currently out on loan from the Washington Spirit (she's slated to join us here in the DMV next year).

Friday, October 9

• 9:30am: Ivory Coast vs D.R. Congo
• 12:15pm: Italy vs Belarus
• 12:30pm: England vs Greece
• 1pm: Algeria vs Central African Republic
• 1pm: Tanzania vs Botswana
• 1pm: Scotland vs Czechia
• 7pm: Canada vs Denmark – Fox Soccer Plus and FOX One
• 9:30pm: Paraguay vs El Salvador

Saturday, October 10

• 2:30pm: USA vs Spain – TBS, HBO Max (Spanish: Telemundo, Universo, Peacock)
• 3:30pm: Brazil vs Argentina

Monday, October 12

• 3:30pm: Canada vs Denmark – Fox Sports 2, FOX One
• 10pm: Paraguay vs El Salvador

Tuesday, October 13

• 9am: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea
• 9am: Tanzania vs Botswana
• 12:15pm: Italy vs Belarus
• 1pm: Algeria vs Central African Republic
• 2:15pm: Scotland vs Czechia
• 2:30pm: England vs Greece
• 3pm: Ivory Coast vs D.R. Congo
• 7pm: USA vs Spain – TBS, HBO Max (Spanish: Universo, Peacock)
• 7:30pm: Brazil vs Argentina

Note: As of Friday, 10/9, dropped Nigeria's matches from this list due to the transfer of Gift Monday.

Shot in the dark here, I have always wanted a Crystal Dunn Jersey and would love to wear one to her retirement ceremony this weekend. I don’t usually fan girl but to me she is the greatest of all time. I would love to rep #19 at this weekends game. If anyone has a jersey they don’t care for or want I would happily cherish it.

Welcome to this week’s open discussion thread!

This is your space for general discussion, a place to talk about anything Washington Spirit that doesn’t necessarily need its own thread. That can include news, international duty, roster moves, transfer rumors, tactics, social media posts, league news or anything else on your mind.

If something feels big enough for its own thread, definitely still post it. This is simply an additional option to keep us organized and help keep the conversation flowing. These threads will go up every Monday and stay stickied throughout the week.

Go Spirit!

This is a thread for all post-match reactions, thoughts, analysis, articles and social media posts related to the match.

Note: This thread is scheduled and may appear shortly before the final whistle so everyone has a place ready for post-match reactions and analysis.

Dash 2 - 3 Spirit

⚽ Dash: M. Ivanović 44', M. Ivanović 59' ⚽ Spirit: T. Rudd 11', S. Cantore 51', C. Luvanga 84' 🏁 Spirit win

✅ Full Time

Form

• Dash: D W L L L L
• Spirit: L W L W W L

Lineups

Dash (4-2-3-1) — Spirit (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI

Subs

Match Statistics

Match Events

Updated: Sun, Oct 4, 9:01 PM EDT

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