The Washington Spirit’s Saturday night game against the Portland Thorns was postponed due to four positive COVID-19 tests among Spirit players.
The NWSL announced the news via social media on Saturday, stating that the match would be rescheduled and that details would be released in the coming days.
Statement regarding the #PORvWAS match set for 9.4.2021: pic.twitter.com/Agn4JQv73j— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 4, 2021
Statement regarding the #PORvWAS match set for 9.4.2021: pic.twitter.com/Agn4JQv73j
Later, it was reported that up to eight players on the Spirit are unvaccinated against COVID-19.
BREAKING: Multiple sources telling me that tonight’s match between the Washington Spirt and Portland Thorns has been called off. Spirit have 4 positive COVID cases; multiple sources also tell me that the club has “multiple” unvaccinated players. One source said # as high as 8.— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) September 4, 2021
BREAKING: Multiple sources telling me that tonight’s match between the Washington Spirt and Portland Thorns has been called off. Spirit have 4 positive COVID cases; multiple sources also tell me that the club has “multiple” unvaccinated players. One source said # as high as 8.
Thorns owner Merritt Paulson apologized to fans on Twitter, writing, “We expected one of the biggest Thorns crowds of the season tonight. Hopefully we are cleared to play Tues.”
Later, Paulson said the game wouldn’t be played on Tuesday and that the NWSL was working on the schedule.
I personally apologize to our fans. We expected one of the biggest Thorns crowds of the season tonight. Hopefully we are cleared to play Tues. Frustration level is very high given the facts as I understand them. Will work w the NWSL to sort this/prevent similar issues. https://t.co/vhEEFfUEbz— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) September 4, 2021
I personally apologize to our fans. We expected one of the biggest Thorns crowds of the season tonight. Hopefully we are cleared to play Tues. Frustration level is very high given the facts as I understand them. Will work w the NWSL to sort this/prevent similar issues. https://t.co/vhEEFfUEbz
The COVID-19 outbreak comes at a tense time for the Spirit as the club’s co-owners reportedly fight for control of the team. The conflict between Y. Michele Kang and Steve Baldwin is said to be tied to former coach Richie Burke’s controversial departure from the club. The Spirit announced Burke was stepping down in early August due to health reasons, but soon after it was reported he was fired after allegations of verbal and emotional abuse surfaced.
Baldwin, along with Larry Best, the Spirit’s president of sporting operations, was directly involved in hiring Burke in 2018.
According to another report Saturday, the COVID-19 outbreak can be tied to a party hosted by minority owner Kang.
Per sources, minority owner Michele Kang hosted a dumpling making party this week that involved players at their apartments early this week, that is believed to have led to the #COVID out-break for @WashSpirit players forcing cancellation of tonight's game.— Chris Russell AKA The Rooster (@Russellmania621) September 4, 2021
Per sources, minority owner Michele Kang hosted a dumpling making party this week that involved players at their apartments early this week, that is believed to have led to the #COVID out-break for @WashSpirit players forcing cancellation of tonight's game.
Meg Linehan of The Athletic has since confirmed that Best has filed a complaint against Kang to the NWSL.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Larry Best filed a complaint to the #NWSL under the anti-harassment policy concerning owner Michele Kang.— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) September 4, 2021
Multiple sources have confirmed that Larry Best filed a complaint to the #NWSL under the anti-harassment policy concerning owner Michele Kang.
League policy states that a player who tests positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days and be symptom-free for a week before returning to play.
The Spirit’s next game is against OL Reign on Sept. 12.