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Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager among Washington Spirit’s new investors

By Matt Weyrich

Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager among Spirit’s new investors originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

 

Forty-three new investors including Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush Hager have joined the Washington Spirit’s ownership group, the D.C.-based National Women’s Soccer League franchise announced Wednesday.

Majority owner Steve Baldwin will retain his stake in the club, but now has a star-studded supporting cast that he hopes will boost the overall profile of the team and women’s soccer as a whole.

“It is fitting that the Washington Spirit have an investor group commensurate with the dynamism and diversity of DC and its place as the most powerful city in the world,” Baldwin said in a statement. “As the 2021 season rapidly approaches, our fans will learn more about how this group came together, hear directly from new investors on their excitement to join us, and our plans for the future.”

Among the other names joining the club are Olympic gold medal gymnast Dominique Dawes, two-time gold medal-winning USWNT goalkeeper Briana Scurry, former Turner Sports COO Matt Hong and former U.S. ambassador to Finland Bonnie McElveen-Hunter. The announcement follows the lead of Angel City FC and the North Carolina Courage, which both added celebrity investors over the past year.

Clinton, the daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Bush Hager, daughter of George W. and Laura Bush, are close friends who bonded over being raised by U.S. presidents. Clinton is a board member of the Clinton Foundation—  the family’s charity — while Bush Hager is co-host of Hoda & Jenna on the TODAY show.

The Spirit have had an eventful offseason, signing Swedish midfielder Julia Roddar, trading for a pair of U.S. national team defenders in Kelley O’Hara and Emily Sonnett, and drafting rising star Trinity Rodman No. 2 overall in the NWSL draft.

After the NWSL regular season was canceled in 2020, the Spirit will go into the 2021 campaign with a slew of new faces both on and off the field.

D.C. United’s Paul Arriola and Donovan Pines Make U.S. Gold Cup Squad

By Eduardo Razo
D.C. United stars named to Berhalter's U.S. Gold Cup Squad originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonThe CONCACAF Gold Cup is about to get underway, and the United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter has named his 23-man squad for the tournament, which will not see most of their European-based players. Nonetheless, coming off a wild Nations League victory over Mexico, Berhalter hopes this squad can win another tournament with names such as Daryl Dike, who, despite playing at Orlando City SC, gained valuable European experience in England last season. The objective is to continue riding that momentum, win the Gold Cup and get set for World Cup qualifying in September."Our priority is to win the Gold Cup. Anytime we're competing for a trophy, we want to win it," Berhalter said. "It's going to take a good effort by the group, but it's certainly a focus of ours. We know the games are going to be difficult, and as we looked at the roster for this tournament, we focused on guys who are in form and can help the team win." D.C. United forward Paul Arriola has had his share of call ups with the national team having 35 caps and scoring eight goals. The 26-year-old, along with Columbus Crew's Gyasi Zardes, will be the most experienced forwards for the U.S. at the Gold Cup. There are also some players making their debut at this tournament. D.C. United defender Donovan Pines will have his first taste of international football. The former University of Mayland player has the opportunity to impress and perhaps play his way into future call-ups. The U.S. is in Group B alongside Canada, Martinique, and a team still-to-be determined through the 2021 Gold Cup Prelims. There are four groups total with the top two in each advancing to the knockout quarterfinals. The championship match is Aug. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 
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