Washington Spirit Sign Record-Setting International Roster
The NWSL side has 14 players from 12 countries, using data and immigration support to exceed league norms.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
The Washington Spirit currently fields 14 international players, a number that ties the team for third most in the National Women’s Soccer League. The club achieved this roster depth by trading for an additional international slot and processing six players for green cards.
Monique Ngock arrived from Cameroon in August after helping her national team win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Upon landing in Virginia, she misread her phone clock and waited in the dark for a pickup that was scheduled for a different time zone. The experience illustrated the logistical challenges facing new arrivals to the team.
Sporting director James Hocken stated that the expansion of the NWSL from nine to 16 teams since 2020 has increased demand for talent. Because the domestic player pool has not grown at the same rate, clubs have turned to international markets. The league also abolished the draft in 2024 and increased international roster spots from five to seven.
The Spirit staff uses data providers Stats Perform and SkillCorner to scout players in markets that often receive less attention. Hocken noted that the club is willing to take risks on younger players who other teams might overlook. This strategy allowed them to sign Italian forward Sofia Cantore from Juventus FC in 2025, making her the first Italian to play in the NWSL.
Cantore has scored 10 goals over two seasons, including six in 2026. She admitted that the physicality of the NWSL differs from the Italian league. She described her speed as less pronounced in the United States but noted that the data provided the staff with confidence in her transition.
Director of player experience Katia Rabinowitch manages the onboarding process, which is divided into two phases. The first phase, occurring within a week of arrival, involves securing furnished team housing, medical appointments, and the setup of Social Security numbers and bank accounts. The second phase addresses needs such as driver’s licenses and local transportation to Audi Field.
The Spirit currently employ five players from African countries, more than any other NWSL team. Rabinowitch said the team orders specific grains to accommodate international players’ dietary preferences. Ngock and Algerian forward Mélissa Bethi arrived the same week, allowing them to support each other during the initial adjustment period.
Hocken said the diverse playing styles and cultural backgrounds create a better on-field product. The team’s approach combines data-driven scouting with a structured support system to integrate players into both the squad and the community.
