Esme Morgan reflects on record crowds and Spirit’s crucial showdown with Gotham FC | OneFootball

If you were at Audi Field last Sunday-10th, you are probably still trying to regain your voice. And if your name is Esme Morgan, Washington Spirit defender, you're probably still trying to get rid of the ringing in her ears. She spoke to Sports Illustrated about the deafening noise during the match against North Carolina Courage as one she had never experienced in all her years at the international level: "My ears were ringing. It was the loudest atmosphere I've ever played in.".

It created an atmosphere of dynamite, one that didn't only warm up the spirits of the fans but acted like much-needed fuel for the Spirit-who won an electrifying 2-1 overtime victory. Next up in the NWSL semifinals, the team gets ready to take on the reign of reigning champions NJ/NY Gotham FC in the most exciting way possible.

Since leaving Manchester City for the NWSL Challenge, Morgan has been one of the most versatile defenders in the league. Though she is a center-back by nature, she does show readiness to shift to right-back when need be, and American soil proved fertile for the testing and extension of her skills.

For Morgan, playing in the NWSL had been a strategic choice: "I wanted competitive games and the opportunity to face some of the best forwards in the world." And for sure, the NWSL delivers on that front. Players such as Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City Current, Mallory Swanson of Chicago Red Stars, and Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride have proven to be tough competitors, raising the level of intensity and technical demands of every match.

This high level of competition is precisely what draws so many international players into this league. Unlike any other competing league, the NWSL does not simply park the bus and wait for predictable draws. As Morgan expressed it, "In the NWSL, nobody goes into a game just to defend for 90 minutes." The Spirit's New Challenge

It will be a different challenge on Saturday, as Gotham FC brings into town one of the smartest and most dangerous forwards in soccer today: Esther González-the 2023 World Cup winner with Spain that defeated Morgan's England team in the final. Lethal finishing, off-the-ball movement, and the ability to find small pockets of space make Esther a constant threat.

But Morgan is no stranger to this matchup, having faced Esther multiple times when she was at Real Madrid and Morgan was at Manchester City. "She's very technical," Morgan said. "We're excited about the challenge Gotham presents. As a group, we thrive when we face top opposition."

The competitive spirit epitomizes the Washington Spirit, who regard every game as a battle, no matter where the opponent stands in the table.

Getting Settled into the Playoff Structure

One of the major changes Morgan had to undergo since her transfer into the NWSL is adjusting to the playoff structure. While Europe generally rewards consistency throughout the season, the playoffs are an avenue for redemption in the NWSL. And the Spirit is poised to capitalize on that fact. Coming off an overall-second finish in the standings, narrowly losing out on the Supporters' Shield to Orlando Pride, that roster views the playoffs as a clean sheet for their build-up toward success.

We didn't win the Shield, so now we have another chance to do something big this year," said Morgan. "Still, looking back on the quarterfinal emotion, that is one of those things, even to this day, gives me chills. It was such a special day."

Semifinal Expectations

With Gotham FC looming, the Spirit knows it's going to take more than solid tactics and individual talent to advance. The electric atmosphere at Audi Field is going to play once again. Tickets to the semifinal sold out in 72 hours - all 12,000 of them were taken. And if Morgan has her way, that energy will carry the Spirit into the NWSL final.

"I hope that this very same atmosphere is what we will have this weekend," she said. Based on what we have seen so far, it's hard to envision anything less than an absolute spectacle.