WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Spirit will chase a title without one of their steadiest midfielders. On Thursday the club ruled Hal Hershfelt out for the year, listing her among its season-ending injuries after she tore the ACL in her right knee.
The 25-year-old was hurt early in Sunday’s road loss to the Kansas City Current, going down in the 16th minute while defending a cross that led to the winning goal. She stayed on for four more minutes before coming off.
Hershfelt played in 31 matches this year. Her lone goal beat Seattle Reign FC on May 30, and her lone assist set up Trinity Rodman for the winner at Chicago on Sept. 20. Knee rebuilds of this kind usually take more than six months, so part of her 2027 season is also at risk.
Washington drafted her fifth overall out of Clemson in 2024, and she has played five times for the U.S. national team, twice in 2026.
The Spirit sit third at 16-9-4 with 52 points and have already locked up a playoff berth. They close the regular season at home Sunday against Chicago Stars FC, and depending on Sunday’s results around the league they could finish anywhere from second to fifth. The NWSL playoffs open Nov. 6.
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