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Washington Spirit was almost NWSL champ last year. So why was it gutted for this season?

underwent the type of offseason changes you’d expect from a downtrodden organization, not one that had sat in first place most of the year and come within 25 seconds and one defensive stand of winning the National Women’s Soccer League title last fall.

Ali Krieger, captain and local hero, was traded. Crystal Dunn, U.S. national team attacker and 2015 league MVP, signed overseas. Christine Nairn, coming off a breakout season, was traded.

Estefania Banini, the leading scorer, signed overseas. Megan Oyster, a national team prospect, was traded. Diana Matheson, a two-time Canadian Olympic bronze medalist, was traded.