The Washington Spirit will be prominently featured in a new ESPN documentary series offering an intimate look at the demanding 2025 season of women’s professional soccer. The series, titled NWSL: The Final Third, premieres on February 25 on the ESPN App and will air on ESPN2 starting March 2 at 9 p.m. ET, with additional streaming availability on Disney+ throughout March.
Produced by Words + Pictures, Omaha Productions, and ESPN, this three-part series spotlights the Spirit’s challenging journey during a season marked by championship ambitions, setbacks from injuries, and high-pressure playoff battles. Alongside the Spirit, Angel City FC and Kansas City Current also appear, but the focus remains on Washington as they contend strongly in the league.
Inside Access to Key Washington Spirit Players and Season Dynamics
Locally, D.C. area fans will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of prominent Spirit players including Trinity Rodman, Hal Hershfelt, and Esme Morgan. Rodman’s determined effort to overcome injury represents a central thread, capturing emotional moments throughout the storyline. Additionally, Hershfelt and Morgan’s perspectives illuminate the team’s experiences managing expectations and the intense drive toward postseason success.
Marie Margolius directs the series, encapsulating both the excitement of match days and the personal challenges players face away from the field.
The three teams we embedded with were navigating very different realities as the 2025 regular season concluded, and the drama that unfolded was incredible to witness,
Margolius said.
I hope viewers come away feeling inspired by the intensity of the competition on the pitch, but most of all, connected to the players who shoulder the pressure and live with the consequences of every result off of it.
Key Moments from the Series Highlight Washington Spirit’s Campaign
The first episode, “Hungry Dogs Run Faster,” depicts the Spirit welcoming back Trinity Rodman from injury amid a fierce playoff race. In the second episode, “No Free Picnics,” with Rodman sidelined once more, Esme Morgan and the Spirit seek redemption as pressure ramps up late in the season.
The final episode, “No Underdogs Allowed,” follows all paths converging on the NWSL Championship, showcasing the Spirit’s gripping postseason performance. Midfielder Hal Hershfelt offers reflections on her personal journey and the stakes involved in competing at the highest levels of the league.
Anticipated Impact of the Docuseries on Fans and the NWSL
NWSL: The Final Third invites viewers into the intense world of professional women’s soccer, emphasizing the Washington Spirit’s resilience and commitment throughout a pivotal season. By presenting such candid portrayals, the series is poised to deepen fan engagement, heighten interest in women’s soccer, and highlight the personal and competitive challenges players face as they chase championships within the league.
