[WOMEN'S PRO LEAGUE] The Washington team in WUSA and WPS was named as the Freedom. The group that operates D.C. United Women, which played in the 2012 W-League, was awarded a team in the new women’s professional soccer league and has named it the Spirit.

“We sought a name that speaks directly to the history of Washington, D.C. and the patriotism we feel being a part of this great community,” said Spirit general manager Chris Hummer. “One of the core missions of this club is to empower women through sport, and we wanted a name that could be used directly in just about any statement surrounding that topic. We wanted a name that had a lot of Spirit."

Longtime Washington-area youth coach Mike Jorden, who coached D.C. United Women the last two years, will coach the Spirit. His assistant will be Cindi Harkes — wife of former U.S. international and D.C. United star John Harkes.

Jorden led United Women to the 2012 W-League Eastern Conference title (with a regular season record of 11-0-1) and a third-place finish in the league championships last year.