Esme Morgan Reveals Her Secret Jaguars Obsession Before NWSL Playoffs

Washington Spirit Defender Esme Morgan Previews Playoffs I BMitch & Finlay

Washington Spirit center back Esme Morgan previewed the upcoming NWSL playoffs on a recent interview with JP and BMitch on 106.7 The Fan.

Morgan revealed how she became a Jaguars fan during the segment.

The interview was broadcast by Audacy, the parent company of 106.7 The Fan.

Morgan plays a key role in the Spirit’s back line as a center back.

The Spirit are preparing for the NWSL playoffs, which begin with a quarterfinal match.

That match is scheduled for November 8, 2026.

Washington Spirit will face Portland Thorns FC in the quarterfinal.

The game is set to be streamed live on Fubo and broadcast on ESPN.

Morgan’s revelation about her Jaguars fandom came as a surprise to many listeners.

The Jaguars are an NFL team based in Jacksonville, Florida.

Morgan is English and grew up in England, where soccer — called football locally — is the dominant sport.

She moved to the United States to play for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL.

The NWSL, or National Women’s Soccer League, is the top professional women’s soccer league in the United States.

The league features 14 teams and a playoff format that crowns a champion each season.

Morgan’s path to the NWSL began in England, where she played for Manchester City in the FA Women’s Super League.

She also represented England at the youth international level before earning senior caps.

The Washington Spirit are based in Washington, D.C., and play their home matches at Audi Field.

The Spirit have a history of strong playoff performances, including winning the NWSL Championship in 2021.

That 2021 title was the first in franchise history.

The team is owned by a group that includes former Microsoft executive Steve Baldwin and investor Michele Kang.

Morgan joined the Spirit ahead of the 2024 season.

She quickly became a regular starter under head coach Jonatan Giráldez.

Giráldez took over as Spirit head coach in 2024 after a successful stint with FC Barcelona Femení.

Under Giráldez, the Spirit have emphasized a possession-based style of play.

Morgan’s role as a center back requires her to organize the defense and start attacks from the back.

Her comfort on the ball and passing range have made her a key part of the system.

The NWSL playoffs feature a single-elimination bracket.

The quarterfinal round includes four matches, with the winners advancing to the semifinals.

The semifinals and final are also single-elimination games.

The NWSL Championship match is scheduled for later in November 2026.

Portland Thorns FC are one of the most successful teams in NWSL history.

The Thorns have won three NWSL championships, in 2013, 2017, and 2022.

They are known for their passionate fan base and strong home record at Providence Park.

However, the quarterfinal match against the Spirit will be played at a neutral or Spirit home venue, depending on seeding.

The exact venue for the quarterfinal was not specified in the interview.

Morgan’s interview on 106.7 The Fan covered both her playoff preparation and her off-field interests.

She told JP and BMitch how she developed an interest in the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars have a notable English connection: they have drafted and signed several players from the UK through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

British punter Logan Cooke has been with the Jaguars since 2018.

The team also hosted regular-season games in London as part of the NFL International Series.

These games have helped grow the Jaguars’ fan base in England.

Morgan’s fandom may have been sparked by those London games or by following English players in the NFL.

The exact origin of her Jaguars obsession was not detailed in the interview clip.

Listeners to the segment responded with surprise and amusement on social media.

The interview was part of the “BMitch & Finlay” show, a popular sports talk program on 106.7 The Fan.

The show covers Washington, D.C., area sports, including the Commanders, Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, and D.C. United.

JP and BMitch are the show’s co-hosts, known for their candid interviews with athletes.

Morgan’s appearance on the show was likely arranged as part of the Spirit’s playoff media push.

Teams often send players to local radio shows to build buzz before big games.

The Spirit’s playoff run has drawn increased media attention in the D.C. area.

FOX 5 DC also covered the Spirit’s playoff preparations in a separate segment.

The team’s regular season performance earned them a spot in the postseason.

The NWSL regular season typically runs from March through October.

Each team plays 22 regular-season games, with the top eight teams qualifying for the playoffs.

The Spirit finished the 2026 regular season in a strong position, though exact standings were not provided in the interview.

Morgan’s individual performance this season has been solid, contributing to the team’s defensive record.

She has started the majority of games when healthy.

Injuries have affected the Spirit’s squad depth at times during the season.