Arsenal FC forward Rosa Kafaji (16) passes the ball as Washington Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan (12) defends during the second half at Audi Field in Washington, DC on August 18, 2024. (Photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

If the National Women’s Football League While many of its stars were playing at the Olympics, the league spent a month reorganizing and testing new ways for players not called up to their national teams to remain active in the game. The inaugural NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup proved to be an exciting opportunity for the NWSL players to not only keep their muscles fresh, but also face new competition. But while the tournament was a success overall, the results for the Washington spirit in the month of July were mixed.

Five members of the Spirit team (Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, Hal Hershfelt, Croix Bethune, Gabby Carle) as well as the newest Spirit member (Leicy Santos) were called up to their national teams and missed the summer national tournaments. Of course, it’s a little daunting for any team to enter a tournament without its record-breaking Rookie of the Year and its experienced cornerstones.