A spirited discussion on: Ali Krieger, Christine Nairn, and the big fire sale

The Washington Spirit’s hot stove is turning into a raging fire.

Although the club came within mere seconds of clinching their first-ever NWSL crown the club has been in a selling mood this offseason. With the trade of Christine Nairn today to the Seattle Reign and the end of the Ali Krieger tenure at the Maryland SoccerPlex things will be very different for the Spirit squad entering 2017.

Nairn was traded to the Reign along with the rights of goalkeeper Madalyn Schiffel in exchange for midfielder Havana Solaun and three draft picks. A product of the Maryland Olympic Development Program Nairn has been a prominent player in the area dating back to her time with the Washington Freedom Reserves. In 67 matches with the Spirit she has scored 14 goals.

Schiffel, 22, was drafted by the Spirit in the second round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft. However, she signed with Norwegian side Avaldsnes IL. She made 16 appearances with the club and helped lead them to a 18-2-2 record and a second place showing in the Toppserien, the top division of Norwegian women’s football.

Solaun played in just six matches this season for the Reign scoring one goal. The former Florida Gator had sustained a broken ankle during her rookie campaign with the Reign in 2015 and made no appearances with the side.

As part of the deal the Spirit will receive the number three and thirty-seven picks in this year’s NWSL College Draft and the Reign’s second round pick in the 2018 draft.

This deal, coupled with the Krieger deal and the departure of Estefania Banini (who signed with Valencia), has left the Spirit with a bit of hole. Combined the three players made 41 starts for the Spirit last season, logged 3,774 minutes, and scored nine goals for the Spirit last season.

So why are these moves being made? It is difficult to determine. Given that the NWSL teams do not disclose player salaries it is difficult to determine if money is a factor. It should also be noted that U.S. Soccer pays the salaries of their players, which would include Krieger. Krieger was traded earlier in the month to the Orlando Pride in exchange for their spot in the international allocation order.

Issues with management have also been raised. The Washington Post’s Steve Goff reported through a source earlier this month that there were issues between Spirit management and players. Although no players names were given it should be noted that the players had previously spoken out against management’s handling of the Reign’s Megan Rapinoe to take a knee during the national anthem.

So the question is now what will Spirit management do to fill these holes? Especially down the stretch coach Jim Gabarra seemed to rely heavily on Francisca Ordega. Ordega scored the game-winning goal against the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL Semifinals. Assuming Crystal Dunn stays with the Spirit (Goff’s report also indicates that she may head to Europe) Gabarra will likely move her back to the center forward position where Banini sat and put Ordega on the outside.

More from Playing for 90

Krieger and Nairn will be a bit more tricky. Both players have formed the spine of the Spirit midfield since the early days of the club and developed a strong rapport with not just the teammates but also the supporters. The move up in the allocation order seems to indicate that the club might be looking towards Europe for a replacement for one of them. Getting the number three overall pick also helps, particularly in their efforts to replacement Krieger at right-back.

It has been an interesting winter for the Spirit and with the club stockpiling assets it seems that more moves are yet to come.

In addition to the Banini, Krieger, and Nairn moves the club also announced that they have exercised the options on goalkeeper Kelsey Wys; forwards Cali Farquharson, Cheyna Williams, and Katie Stengel; midfielders Line Sigvardsen Jensen and Joanna Lohman; and defenders Alyssa Kleiner, Megan Oyster, and Estelle Johnson.

Home/NWSL