Catch The Spirit

Spirit GK Sydney Schneider chats with Catch The Spirit host Craig Hoffman about her journey to the NWSL. They talk about Schneider's childhood in New Jersey, acclimation to goalkeeper as a teen and her ascension to starter on the Jamaican National Team.Plus, they discuss her rookie year in Washington learning from Aubrey Bledsoe and Devon Kerr and adjusting to being a backup for the first time in her life.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Spirit Assistant Coach Kris Ward joins Craig Hoffman to give his take on the season so far. Kris talks about some of the team's high achievers in 2021, giving his unique insight on working with NWSL Player of the Month Ashley Hatch and runner-up Andi Sullivan, whom he's worked with since Sunny was 14.Plus, Ward talks about rookies Anna Helfrity and Trinity Rodman including why the women's game has "never seen an athlete like Trin." Plus, Ward wraps up with why Ashley Sanchez has been so strong in year 2.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Spirit midfielder Chinyelu Asher (aka Chinny) talks with Craig Hoffman about her journey to then club. It's a circuitous trip that starts in Silver Spring, MD with stops in Indiana, Kentucky, Colombia and Norway. They talk about the soccer cultures in different parts of the world, including Jamaica where Asher competes as a member of the Jamaican Women's National Team.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Spirit striker Ashley Hatch talks with Craig Hoffman about the club's NWSL season so far, how they'll cover for USWNT stars Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett departing for Tokyo, her partnership with Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Rodman and more. Plus, Hatch answers a wide variety of fan questions from why she chose her number 33, her favorite things to bake and some soccer questions.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Andi Sullivan and Tori Huster chat with CTS Host Craig Hoffman in his other role as radio host on The Team 980. This is the full version of their conversation that was cut short on the radio due to time constraints.They talk about the team's start, returning home, Andi and Tori's positional flexibility and how the younger players - specifically Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez - are coming along.

USA Today's Emily Olsen joins the podcast to talk about the state of the Spirit entering the Summer. Emily and Craig Hoffman talk about the success of Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez and Ashley Hatch as well as ways the trio and their teammates can convert more often in the final third.Craig and Emily also talk about the USWNT's roster decisions, what's next for Andi Sullivan and how the international decisions shape the Spirit's upcoming schedule with key players headed to Tokyo.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Spirit legend Joanna Lohman joins Catch The Spirit to celebrate the launch of her new book Raising Tomorrow's Champions: What the Women's National Soccer Team Teaches Us About Grit, Authenticity and Winning and pride month!The activist, athlete and now author talks about all three aspects of her life with Craig Hoffman. Lohman talks about how the idea for the book came to be, how she compiled it and the themes that started to emerge as she talked to USWNT legends from different eras.Plus, she talks about her own journey in self-discovery from coming out to her evolution as an activist and paving the way for others to follow in and outside the soccer world.Finally, she gives her thoughts on this year's Spirit club including her old teammate Tori Huster and rookie Trinity Rodman.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, Fairfax Oral Surgery, CVS Health and Progressive.

Craig Hoffman chats with NWSL on Paramount+ play-by-play announcer Corey Cohen about the Spirit's weekend match with OL Reign.--The return of Rose Lavelle to the NWSL against her former club--Richie Burke's thoughts entering the club's 3rd match in just over a week--Corey's impressions of Ashley Sanchez & Trinity Rodman--Why Aubrey Bledsoe has been the NWSL's hidden gemPlus, a scouting report on OL Reign to get you ready for kickoff! Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS, CVS Health and Progressive.

Craig Hoffman talks with new Spirit President of Business Operations Lindsay Barenz about her journey to the club. Barenz discusses pivotal points in her journey from her decision to leave big law to her year in the White House. Plus, how she eventually got into women's soccer and why a sense of community drew her back from the league office into a team setting.Barenz also talks at length about why and how justice and equity center everything that she does, both as a person and how striving for those ideals shapes how she does her job.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one or at TrainWithTheBest21.com. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS. For more, visit: www.womenandgirlsinsoccer.org

Craig Hoffman talk with one of the Spirit's newest arrivals in Julia Roddar. The versatile midfielder and defender talks about her expectations for the upcoming season, her first month on the job in the US and growing up in Sweden. Plus, why she chose Florida Gulf Coast for college and the thing she wishes she knew when she was younger.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS. For more, visit: www.womenandgirlsinsoccer.org

Spirit defender Tegan McGrady and forward Ashley Hatch join Craig Hoffman for a catch-up with just three weeks to go until the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup. The duo swaps stories from training camp in Florida from the on-field growth to the off-field pranks.Plus, Tegan and Ashley talk about their off-seasons and the growth they've seen in each other. Lastly they talk about some of their new teammates from USWNT additions Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett to first round pick Trinity Rodman.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.CTS is sponsored by WAGS. For more, visit: www.womenandgirlsinsoccer.org

Craig Hoffman calls up Tori Huster and Bayley Feist from the Spirit's preseason camp in Florida. Tori discusses what it's been like to transition to having headquarters in Virginia, what she's seen as the team's come together and how excited she is to be healthy after last year's injury hampered campaign. Bayley talks about what she did in the off-season after her breakout second season, who could be poised to breakout themselves and about some her new teammates, including USWNT veterans Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett.Catch The Spirit is a Train With The Best Media production. You can find TWTB's flagship Train With The Best Podcast anywhere you find this one. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

The 2021 NWSL Draft is shaping up to be like no other. Get ready for the big night (7pm on Twitch) with The Equalizer's Rachael Kriger. She joins host Craig Hoffman to talk about how this year's draft is different in its virtual setting, the effect NCAA rule changes have had on the draft pool and how the Spirit stack up entering the annual selection process.Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

New Spirit defender Emily Sonnett joins Craig Hoffman for a post-trade debrief after being acquired by the club. Sonnett talks about why she's excited to join Washington, including teaming up with fellow World Cup Champion Kelley O'Hara and her love of playing with fellow USWNT members Andi Sullivan and Aubrey Bledsoe.Sonnett also talks about her 2020 journey from Portland to Orlando and eventually Sweden before landing in Washington. She also discusses why she chose to start working with a sports psychologist during quarantine and the positive effect it's had on her performance. Lastly she answers a wide range of fan questions from her favorite dance move to the job she'd have if she wasn't a professional footballer.Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

Spirit stars Sam Staab and Dorian Bailey check in with Craig Hoffman upon return from the trip to Doha, Qatar. Sam and Dorian talk about the life-changing trip organized by the team and the US and Qatari Embassies to help kick off the 2021 Qatar Year of Culture in partnership with the US. The duo discusses how they interacted with the Qatar Women's National team and how their trip helped inspire what is possible through football.They then talked about some of the fun had on the trip - including Sam's incredible "horse-whispering" ability and their day on the dunes in the desert.Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

New Washington Spirit forward Kelley O'Hara talks about her trade from Utah Royals FC to her hometown team. The two-time World Cup champion discusses why she wanted to play in DC, gives her thoughts on the team she's joining and discusses what she thinks she can bring to the club.O'Hara also talks about her commitment to the DC community and where her competitive fire comes from. Plus, she dishes on why she thinks all her USWNT teammates would pick her to get stuck on a deserted island with!Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

To kick off the holiday season, Craig Hoffman chats with Andi Sullivan and her husband, Drew Skundrich. Andi and Drew spent most of 2020 apart as Drew plays for Sacramento Republic (USL) and Andi was with the Spirit in DC and Utah for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The couple talks about their college days and how they met as well as their highly entertaining engagement story! They then talk about how they've coped with being apart and what it's meant to be together, including what it's like to train together. They then answer fan questions to close the show.Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

Spirit CB Paige Nielsen sits down to tell her story like she never has before. Paige chronicles her journey from Nebraska to walking on at North Carolina through the ups and downs of her International career before nearly quitting in 2018 before one last shot with the Spirit. Plus, she talks about how watching Andi Sullivan motivated her last off-season and what's got her just as motivated headed into 2021.Catch The Spirit is sponsored by CVS. Get your flu shot at your local CVS today! Plus, CTS is sponsored by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit is produced in association with Train With The Best Media. Theme music by Jamarion Bates.

Spirit defenders Tori Huster and Tegan McGrady talk about their rehab an the unique opportunity 2020 provided to heal injuries that had bothered both players for multiple years. They also talked about the ways they stayed connected to the team even though they weren't at training, players who impressed them as they watched from the sideline and their plans for 2021.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Assistant coach Kris Ward shares how he's handled the adjustment of joining the Spirit mid-season, his background and how he's applied his diverse skillset to the club. Ward shares the differences in training youth players versus pros, his long-term relationships with Richie and Andi and more!Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

André Carlisle (Black and Red United) joins Craig Hoffman to talk about his foray into soccer media, what he's seen from the Spirit in 2020 and the globalization. Hear why André isn't concerned about the NWSL's viability long term despite so many US players leaving this winter and about some of his favorite conversations with Spirit players like Ashley Sanchez and Aubrey Bledsoe.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

NWSL play-by-play man Mike Watts talks to Craig Hoffman about his journey into calling soccer. They talk about how Mike got started in 2014 with Sky Blue FC before starting to call games for the league in 2017.They also discuss the challenge of calling the Challenge Cup and what Mike's seen from the Spirit.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Aubrey Bledsoe's cooking skills are well-known and just as good as her goalkeeping! We explore her off-field passion this week with Brigg Bunker, the franchise owner of the new Crumbl Cookies store in Vienna.The Spirit players fell in love with Crumbl in Utah, where the company started, during the Challenge Cup. Brigg tells his own Crumbl story and how his family is literally helping him put everything together.Aubrey and Brigg also discuss what it takes to run a bakery, the baking itself and their favorite cookies to make and eat!

Spirit forwards Jessie Scarpa and Meg McCool talk about making their debuts in game 1 of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. Scarpa talks about drawing a penalty leading to the Spirit's only goal while McCool talks about getting to play forward after spending much of the year learning a new position.The duo also talks about how they stayed patient during the lead-up to their debuts, answer fan questions and more.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Sirius/XM FC's Emily Olsen joins Craig Hoffman to talk about the 2020 NWSL Fall Series. Craig and Emily talk about what it means for the league, the Spirit's initial match against Sky Blue, who they are looking forward to watching and what the NWSL's and Women's FA's TV deals mean for the game at large.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit midfielder Jordan DiBiasi joins Craig Hoffman for a discussion on mentorship. Jordan is part of a new organization called "Voices in Sport" that will provide young girls with mentors like her. She also works with Girls on the Run to empower girls through running and athletics.Jordan also talks about some of the mentors who shaped her, from family friends to coaches as well as her peers in the soccer world.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Craig Hoffman is joined by Black and Red United's Jason Anderson to talk about the news of the week around the Spirit. They start recapping the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup before diving into the Rose Lavelle trade. The duo breaks down why the trade happened, what it means and what is next for all involved. They also examine the mass exodus of players to Europe and whether or not the NWSL should be concerned. Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Kyle Lierman, CEO of When We All Vote, joins Craig Hoffman to talk about the importance of voting in the upcoming and all elections. Lierman talks about his experience in the White House recruiting athletes and celebrities for various initiatives for President Obama and how he's taken those skills into the non-partisan world of voter advocacy. Lierman discusses the importance of mail-in voting, how it can be done effectively and ways to ensure safe voting in person amidst the pandemic.Learn more about the Spirit's partnership with Rally The Vote here: https://washingtonspirit.com/2020/08/12/spirit-join-kings-led-voter-registration-coalition-rally-the-vote/Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

NWSL on CBS analyst Lori Lindsey stops by to talk about the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The former USWNT and Spirit midfielder discusses who impressed her, what she saw from the Spirit and what it was like to call every game of the tournament.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.The Spirit's 2020 Kit here! Purchase it at https://rockvillesoccer.com/shop/club/washington-spirit?product_group=460Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit rookie Natalie Jacobs and first year player Jenna Hellstrom talk about making their NWSL debuts, adjusting to the league and how they're spending their free time in the tournament. Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.The Spirit's 2020 Kit here! Purchase it at https://rockvillesoccer.com/shop/club/washington-spirit?product_group=460Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

You know that defense wins championships, but did you know it also makes for great podcasts?! Paige Nielsen, Tori Huster, Tegan McGrady and Sam Staab sit down with Craig Hoffman in Utah for a chat about the NWSL Challenge Cup, what makes a great defender, what they love about playing together and plenty of laughs.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS and Sandy Spring Bank.The Spirit's 2020 Kit here! Purchase it at https://rockvillesoccer.com/shop/club/washington-spirit?product_group=460Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit Executive Producer Craig Hoffman is joined by members of the creative team to talk about the making of the 2020 Kit Reveal. Senior Social Media Coordinator Hannah Wagner (who edited the main video), Marketing Director Bernie Koelsch, Technical Director Tchad Moore and video editor Olivia Bonnette talk about how the video came together, their favorite stories from the shoots and a few moments where they didn't quite think they'd make it!Then hear a can't miss conversation between 1991 World Cup Champion April Heinrichs and Spirit head coach Richie Burke from "The Richie Burke Show" before the team headed to Utah.You can buy the Spirit's 2020 Kit here: https://rockvillesoccer.com/shop/club/washington-spirit?product_group=460Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS.Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit winger Jenna Hellstrom talks about her childhood growing up in Canada and how she playing with the boys helped launch her career to Kent State. She then talks about her initial NWSL under Vlatko Andonovski in Kansas City and how that sent her on a path to Sweden before coming back for this season in Washington. Finally, Jenna talks about the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup in Utah.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Craig Hoffman previews the upcoming 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup with Kim McCauley and Jason Anderson of All For IX and Red and Black United. They discuss which teams have an advantage in the tournament format, where the Spirit lies in that hierarchy and some of the players to watch in Utah. Then Craig is joined by Spirit Assistant Coach Tom Torres to continue previewing the tournament from the inside. Tom talks about how the team has been preparing for its first match against Royals FC, the challenges of scouting with so much player movement and some of the young players that are prepared to make an impact for the club.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Kaiya McCullough, her mother Amy Thorne and DCScores Director of Creative Arts and Education Charity Blackwell join Craig Hoffman for a conversation for social justice.The group discusses how they each experience race in America, how those experiences have shaped them and some of the factors that have contributed to their current, varied levels of understanding. They discuss multiple types of racism, from overt and hateful acts to how systems can and do act in racist ways to unintentional micro-aggressions.They also talk about interactions with police and how the racial climate in America has shaped those interactions before ending with how they are healing and taking care of themselves during a traumatic time and things people can do to make a difference in the justice and equity spaces.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Craig Hoffman is joined by Spirit Owner Steve Baldwin to discuss the announcement of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. The tournament will be the first of its kind and make the NWSL the first sports league to return to action in 2020. Steve takes fans inside how the decision was made and what to expect when it starts on June 27th. Plus, Craig gives his take on the tournament and why he thinks the NWSL has positioned itself well for this opportunity.Chris Gorres then joins Craig to chat with super versatile rookie Natalie Jacobs. They talk about Natalie's many talents from her position-less soccer skills to her piano skills and they even discover how she can clap with one hand!Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit GK Devon Kerr joins Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres to talk about her childhood growing up in Canada, her decision to go to and experience at THE Ohio State University and more. Plus, Devon talks about her interests away from soccer including a potential future in broadcasting and how she developed an interest in interior design. Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Spirit forward Crystal Thomas joins Craig Hoffman to talk with Ryan Defibaugh, counselor at MBS Performance Counseling and coach with Potomac Soccer Association.The trio talks about how the brain processes different triggers and how those triggers are affected during quarantine. How can we replace the feelings of joy and success that we usually attain from being with teammates and competing? How do we manage our emotions accordingly and what are some tips to be mentally successfully as we're all at home?Crystal, Ryan and Craig also talk about grit. What is it? What are its limits? How do we harness mental toughness for self-betterment and how does that definition of what is better change with each individual?Plus, all three give recommendations on resources they use to stay on top of their game mentally. Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find "The Train With The Best Podcast" anywhere you found this one.

Olney, Maryland's own Oguchi Onyewu joins Craig Hoffman and Spirit defender Sam Staab to talk about his career. Both Sam and Oguchi went to Clemson University, so they talk about how each wound up in Upstate South Carolina and how Sam's story involves...a Chile's? Plus, the trio discusses what it takes to be a good center back, Oguchi's work with Onyx Elite and his foray into the women's game as a coach/mentor and what they've learned in their careers. Sam and Oguchi also answer each other's questions on everything from their favorite places to play to differences in the east and west coasts.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there. Catch The Spirit's Theme Music is produced by Jamarian Bates. It is produced in association with Train With The Best Media and you can find the TWTB Podcast anywhere you found this one.

Tegan McGrady joins Craig Hoffman to talk about The Imagineering Story on Disney+. The documentary goes behind the scenes of how the Disney Theme Parks, Tegan's first love, were made. Craig and Tegan are then joined by the executive producer of the documentary, Leslie Iwerks to talk about the documentary. They also talk about the family nature of Disney, how to tell good stories and more!Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of this episode is available there.

Spirit forward Jaye Boissiere joins Craig Hoffman to talk to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, epidemiologist and former Health Director of Detroit. The trio talks about the coronavirus pandemic from every angle, starting with what the virus actually is and why it was able to spread so vastly across the world.They discuss the decisions made by leaders from the White House to the World Health Organization, what goes into those decisions and how better funding of public health could have provided a better safety net for us all.Plus, Spirit owner Steve Baldwin joins the conversation to discuss some of the data being collected and analyzed about COVID-19 and how that can turn into proper resource allocation and more.Catch The Spirit is presented by WAGS. This episode premiered exclusively on Twitch and video of the episode is available there.

Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres dial up Spirit High Performance Coach Michael Minthorne on Zoom to talk about Michael's career, which has taken him all around the world. Minthorne talks about his time with EXOS which took him to China, plus his time in England and Brazil.They also talk about how training has adapted during COVID-19 when athletes of all kind, including our players, have limited access to equipment. Michael also tells the story of when the other coaches duped him into speaking up against the players eating dessert on a road trip.Plus, we reveal next week's podcast guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and the moment our special co-host, Jaye Boissiere, learned she would be on the show.

Spirit midfielder Andi Sullivan joins Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres on Zoom to talk about everything from what she's watching while stuck at home to who would win a 100m race between the squad to planning a wedding while she and her husband were both playing professional soccer on opposite coasts!The podcast also features fan questions and a few from a special guest who was watching live as we streamed on Twitch! Hint: It's Richie and it's everything you want it to be.

Spirit GK Coach Ian McCaldon sits down with Craig Hoffman in Sandpiper Bay to talk about his amazing life story. They start with Ian's childhood in Scotland, how one single coach saved his football career and then how both the sport and his propensity to follow his heart took him all around the world.They then discuss Eagle's relationship with Richie Burke, how he got the Spirit job and how his relationship has evolved with Aubrey Bledsoe.This podcast was streamed live on Twitch. You can follow the Spirit on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/washingtonspirit.

Spirit forward Crystal Thomas sits down with Craig Hoffman in Florida to talk about her rise from 3rd grader wanting to learn the rules to scoring goals in front of 20,000 people at Audi Field. Crystal tells incredible story after incredible story from the time her dad surprised her in Denmark to a conversation that lead to her famous goal against Orlando last year at Audi.Plus, Craig and Crystal switch places! Crystal interviews Craig in a new "switch the interview" feature as Crystal learns about Craig's time at ESPN and his jump to the Spirit!Note: All necessary precautions were taken in the recording of this podcast. Craig and Crystal sat at opposite ends of a six-foot table to ensure proper social distancing and the room was kept empty outside of them and a single videographer, who was over ten feet away behind the camera. We continue to take all precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 seriously as well as the health and safety of our players and staff as we create content and operate in every way.

Spirit rookies Ashley Sanchez and Kaiya McCullough join Catch The Spirit to talk about their transitions from UCLA to the NWSL. They talk about their time with the Bruins, what it meant to be drafted together and what they're looking forward to this season.The duo also talks about the adjustment to living on the east coast, including the need for a new wardrobe! They also answer fan questions and more, including who is their most intimidating teammate!

Spirit midfielder Jordan DiBiasi and forward Ashley Hatch join Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres at The Plex to chat about their off-seasons, which included a call-up to the USWNT's ID camp. Jordan and Ashley were roommates at the camp and share their experiences and what they did after they left Florida.Jordan also talks about her recent call-up to the She Believes Cup camp and what she expects in her first USWNT full camp. Plus, Jordi and Hatch talk about last season and how DiBiasi's youthful energy shifted, but never wavered during her rookie year.They also answer fan questions and Craig gets very mad at Chris for being musically talented. It happens a lot.Follow everyone on Instagram here: Jordan, Ashley, Craig and Chris.Catch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one.Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!

Spirit newcomers Jessie Scarpa and Brooke Hendrix join Craig Hoffman at the Plex to talk about their last week since coming to DC. They also talk about their very different college experiences at UNC and Southern Miss respectively. Plus, Jessie and Brooke answer fan questions on everything from their coffee orders to who inspires them.Craig also talks about his new role as the Executive Producer of the Spirit. For more, check out this video and this blog post.Catch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one.Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!

Spirit manager Richie Burke joins Craig Hoffman and Chris Gorres to talk about the draft day decision to trade Mallory Pugh and why he's so excited about the players they're bringing in. Richie talks about the new players and what drew the Spirit to Ashely Sanchez, Natalie Jacobs, Averie Collins, Katie McClure and Kaiya McCullough. Plus, Richie talks about his plans to create "the ultimate meritocracy" and how he thinks about constructing a roster.

Meggie Dougherty Howard and Dorian Bailey sit down with Craig and Chris at Onyx Elite's Winter Performance Camp in Tampa, FL. The foursome talks about the week they've had as its MDH's second year at the camp and Dorian's first time. They also discuss how it is that Craig lost his seat in the car on the morning ride.They also talk about their childhoods, how they developed their love for soccer and what they're working on this off-season.Catch The Spirit is brought to you by WAGS. Learn more about Women and Girls in Soccer, check out their website here: https://www.womenandgirlsinsoccer.orgCatch The Spirit is a production of Train With The Best Media. Be sure to check out Craig and Chris's flagship podcast "The Train With The Best Podcast" wherever you found this one, including their episodes from Onyx Camp with Yael Averbuch-West, Lauren Sesselman and Oguchi Onyewu.Spirit season tickets are on sale now! Click here for more information!

Before Catch The Spirit was created, Craig and Chris sat down with Spirit and USWNT star Mallory Pugh for an interview on their Train With The Best Podcast.Just in case you missed it, we wanted to share as our gift to you!Happy Holidays from TWTB Media and The Washington Spirit!