The Washington Spirit signed Sporting Director James Hocken to a new two-year contract with a 2029 option, the club announced Oct. 14, 2026. Hocken will continue overseeing the club’s sporting department, including player acquisitions and roster management, while leading the team’s scouting and analytics department.
Hocken joined the Washington Spirit as an analyst before the 2023 season and became sporting director ahead of the 2025 season. The club credited him with contributing to back-to-back National Women’s Soccer League Championship appearances, a Challenge Cup title and a Concacaf W Champions Cup final appearance.
James Hocken Continues Washington Spirit Sporting Role
Hocken also played a key role in negotiations for Trinity Rodman’s re-signing this year. The club said his responsibilities will continue to include scouting, analytics, acquisitions and roster management.
“I’m incredibly excited to continue my journey with the Washington Spirit,” said Hocken. “This is a club with enormous stature and ambition, and I’m grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me. We have a talented group of players and staff, united by a strong commitment to continuous development. I look forward to building on the progress we’ve made, continuing to raise the standards of our environment and helping establish the Spirit as one of the leading clubs in world football.”
President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter said Hocken will remain with the Washington Spirit through 2029. “James is one of the sharpest minds in the game, and we’re glad to have him with us through 2029,” said Carter. “He understands how a team should play and what it takes to get there, from the game model to the analytics behind every decision to the players who bring it to life. That breadth is rare. The partnership between our offices has been a real strength for this club, and we’re excited to keep it going.”
Washington Spirit Set to Host Gotham FC
The Washington Spirit will host rival Gotham FC at Audi Field on Saturday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The match will be Washington’s penultimate home match of the regular season.
The Washington Spirit is a professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C., and an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League. The club plays at Audi Field.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Washington Spirit is retaining the executive responsible for its sporting department, player acquisitions, roster management, scouting and analytics. Hocken’s extension follows the club’s back-to-back NWSL Championship appearances, Challenge Cup title and Concacaf W Champions Cup final appearance.
His reported role in negotiations for Trinity Rodman’s re-signing is another verified part of Hocken’s work with the club. The new contract keeps him in the Washington Spirit’s sporting director role through the two-year term, with a 2029 option.
Read the Washington Spirit’s official announcement.
Source: Original report
