Sandy MacIver MD-1 Press Conference | NWSL Playoffs: Quarterfinal vs Portland Thorns | 11.07.26

Sandy MacIver previewed Washington Spirit’s playoff quarterfinal against Portland Thorns, saying the approach stays the same as any other match, just with Audi Field’s energy raising the stakes and leaving no room for a slow start.

She spoke to having goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury back in training as a veteran, playoff-tested presence to lean on, and broke down the defensive keys to containing Portland’s transition game and dangerous winger Sofia Wilson, pointing to lessons from a strong showing in the earlier meeting at Portland and from containing a similarly transition-heavy Kansas City side.

MacIver also addressed how the back line is adjusting to playing without Hal Hershfelt’s ground coverage in midfield, credited the chemistry and communication she shares with Tara Rudd and Esme Morgan, and celebrated Gabby’s first Best XI of the Month recognition alongside Lucia DiGuglielmo’s strong recent form at fullback.

She explained that penalty-kick preparation doesn’t change for the playoffs, just the volume of reps, reflected on winning the Golden Glove as a credit to the whole backline’s growth this season, and closed with a message to the Spirit faithful ahead of kickoff.

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About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest-growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. In 2024, the Spirit drafted an epic class of rookies who are already breaking records and wowing fans.

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