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Ward, 42, took over coaching duties following the removal of manager Richie Burke in September of 2021 for violating the league’s anti-harassment policy. As interim coach, Ward led the Spirit to a nine-game unbeaten streak, ending with the franchise winning its first NWSL Championship. A month later, Washington hired Ward as its full-time head coach.
Multiple outlets report that assistant coach Angela Salem will run the training sessions, and Washington plans to hire an interim coach soon. However, it is unclear if the new hire will be made before the Spirit’s away match against Houston on Saturday. Washington recently hired Mark Krikorian, who coached Florida State’s women’s soccer program for 17 years, as its general manager. However, multiple reports suggest that he is not in the running for the coaching role. Lee Nguyen, an assistant coach during the Spirit’s championship run, left D.C. in early August to resume his playing career.
