Washington Spirit coach Giráldez: “Deep down I feel Marta deserved the title”

Jonatan Giráldez wrapped up his first season in the NWSL on the losing side as his Washington Spirit lost the final to Orlando Pride, featuring legendary Brazilian player Marta Vieira, who finally won the US title.

With the dust now settled after a demanding season, the Galician coach, winner of four titles with Barça Femini, takes time to talk to AS after his first half season in charge of the Washington Spirit.

—How are things in Washington?

—In general, it’s very good, we’re very happy, both my family and I. On a personal level, we live here close to Washington, in Leesburg, and we’re very calm, it’s a residential area, there are lots of children, parks... And we’re adapting to the new life, to the way of living here in the United States.

—And on a sporting level?

—Actually good despite arriving here in late June as much of the season planning work was underway. But, in general, both players, staff and club workers have taken us in very well and I am personally very happy.

—It’s been a few days since the final, how are you coping with losing the game...

—Today I’m doing better than yesterday and probably worse than tomorrow. It takes a few days to manage it, but we’re trying to see things in perspective. I consider myself a very demanding person on a day-to-day basis. Surely if you had asked me before coming, we would have signed up to be the second best team in the League.

—What analysis did you make of the match?

—For me, we were better in the final. Obviously it’s no consolation, but in terms of the number of chances, the game plan... the way the game went, we deserved the victory. So, now, it’s time to accept defeat as part of the process.

—Who was it to face a legend like Marta?

—She is a player who has marked an era and she is truly a legend in this league and in Brazil and I would say around the world. She probably did not play her best game in the final but, in the semi-final she scored the third goal, which was the winning goal. We were very close but, deep down I am also happy, because it is a title that Marta deserved.

—What are the differences you have found in NWSL compared to Spain?

—The league is more competitive here as all the teams have the same amount of money to spend, you don’t have the freedom to invest in players, there is a salary cap... That’s why the games are so close, because it’s a very, very equal league. There’s very little difference between first and last. Last year San Diego and Portland finished first and second, and this year Portland finished seventh and San Diego tenth.

—How is the typical matchday experience?

—They want to film everything, how you arrive at the stadium, when you enter the locker room, interviews with the players before the match. They ask me a question five seconds before the match starts, there, on the pitch, next to the bench. At half-time they talk to the other coach, cameras everywhere... The match ends and the media are already inside to get their first impressions. The product is very well sold.

The crowds are generally higher too as we have been able to get an average of 15,000 people each match and in the last few games we were sold out. The other day I heard the president of the league say that 60 or 70% of the matches are decided by a one-goal difference. Everything is much more attractive.

—You coach Trinity Rodman, one of the most promising American players. What would you highlight about her?

—She has some differential physical conditions that I honestly hadn’t seen. She has the ability to accelerate when she’s sprinting, that is, change her pace in full flight. She’s a high profile player and often used to sell the NWSL

She’s very media savvy and always attentive to the fans, who always stays at the end of the game. That also attracts people and here in the United States it’s very important.

—What has it meant to you to be coach two time Ballon d’Or winners, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí?

—It has been amazing, in my three years as coach, four Ballon d’Ors for FC Barcelona because the team have delivered as a collective. If you do not win the Champions League, the chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are minimal, of winning the Best are minimal...

So, it is not just Alexia and Aitana, it is Caro (Graham Hansen), Patri, Keira (Walsh), it is Lucy, Frido (Rolfö) and many more. When I arrived at Barça in 2019, the situation was totally different. There has been a progression, a huge growth and having been part of it first as an assistant and then as a head coach was incredible.

-Would you like to face Barcelona in a Club World Cup?

—Well, of course, that would imply that we would have to win here and that Barça would have won, therefore, I would be doubly happy.

—What can you tell us about Spirit’s methodology and resources?

—There are many resources with many people who are working on all aspects of research. We have scientific research on women, performance, football and training, and Michele (Kang, owner) has a vision of researching all of this.

We try to go as deep as possible into all the factors that affect performance and that we can control and we try and help the players as much as possible.

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