Story by
Washington Spirit confirms Hal Hershfelt suffered ACL injury in blow to playoff hopes
- Story by
- Washington Spirit confirms Hal Hershfelt suffered ACL injury in blow to playoff hopes
The Washington Spirit has confirmed that midfielder Hal Hershfelt has been placed on the season-ending injury list following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained during Sunday's 2-1 defeat by the Kansas City Current.
The 25-year-old United States international was injured in the 16th minute of the game in a position where she intended to stop Vanessa DiBernardo, who finished a cross from LaCroix Bethune for the Current's match-winning goal. Hershfelt was substituted in the 20th minute and replaced by Mélissa Bethi.
Advertisement
Hershfelt ends her 2026 campaign with 31 appearances and more than 2,500 minutes played across all competitions. She also delivered in crucial moments, scoring a late winner against the Seattle Reign in May and assisting Trinity Rodman's winning goal against the Chicago Stars last month.
Hershelt joins a long list of NWSL stars sustaining ACL injuries this season, including Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie, Seattle Reign's winger Maddie Dahlien and Chicago Stars forward Jordyn Huitema.
Washington Spirit confirms Hal Hershfelt suffered ACL injury in blow to playoff hopes
A setback to Spirit's playoff hopes
For Spirit, after reaching the final in each of the past two seasons, losing one of its most dependable midfielders at such a critical time presents a challenge and is a significant setback to its hopes of making another deep NWSL playoff run. Hershfelt's defensive presence and ability to disrupt opposition attacks have been central to Washington's midfield balance.
Advertisement
Her absence will test the depth of a roster assembled with championship ambitions, as the Spirit attempt to turn a third consecutive playoff appearance into the title that has eluded them in each of the past two seasons.
Spirit plays the Chicago Stars Sunday in its final regular season game, before the playoffs begin next week.
Hershfelt joined the Spirit as the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, using a $250,000 pick Washington acquired from the North Carolina Courage in a trade that sent Ashley Sanchez the other way. She quickly established herself as a regular starter, logging 2,409 minutes across 34 appearances in her rookie season, more than any other first-year player, while contributing three goals.
The American's second season was disrupted by an ankle sprain sustained against the Houston Dash in March 2025, which sidelined her for seven matches. She nevertheless returned to make 18 regular-season appearances, including 15 starts, helping Washington finish second in the standings and reach a second consecutive NWSL Championship.
Advertisement
That final, a 1-0 defeat to Gotham FC, ended painfully for Hershfelt. She sustained a leg injury following a collision with Rose Lavelle in the 73rd minute but attempted to continue playing. Still visibly limited, she was unable to intercept the cross that led to Lavelle's 80th-minute winner. Hershfelt was substituted shortly afterwards.
Now, less than a year later, another injury has brought her season to a premature end, this time before Washington's postseason campaign has even begun. She is likely to be out for the next eight to ten months, potentially all the way until the league breaks for the 2027 Women's World Cup in June.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic .
US Women's national team, Washington Spirit, NWSL, Women's Soccer
2026 The Athletic Media Company
