In the wake of abuse by coaches throughout the NWSL coming to light in 2021, U.S. Soccer commissioned an investigation which culminated in the Yates Report, which resulted in U.S. Soccer creating the Safe Soccer Clearance Program. The program has three phases. Currently the program is voluntary.

• Phase 1 of the program includes SafeSport training, Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments training, reading and acceptance of U.S. Soccer’s Code of Conduct, and confirmation of the accuracy of contact information.
• Phase 2 of the program includes, completion of phase 1, Positive Soccer Environments, and DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging).
• Phase 3 of the program includes completion of phase 2 and a background screening.

The first two sentences of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Coaches Code of Conduct state:

“Coaches shall hold themselves to the highest standard of coaching within the soccer ecosystem and promote a positive and safe environment for all participants.”

“Coaches shall comply with the NWSL coach licensing standards (as defined in Operations Manual Section 8.19) and seek continuous personal and professional development.”

The code of conduct makes no mention of specifics. It seems the NWSL Operations Manual would have the specifics, but it is not made public.  

In 2015 U.S. Soccer revamped it's coaching education, creating the Pro License which is the current highest. In 2018, U.S. Soocer again made changes to it's coaching education, this time in an effort to impove the grassroutes pathway. You can find information about the USSF coaching license pathway here.

The U.S. Soccer Directory “serves as a verification of record for users that have current coaching, referee and compliance related certifications on file with U.S. Soccer. Active licensing and/or compliance certifications represent satisfactory completion of course related criteria.”

With the NWSL currently in the midst of pre-season, let’s have a look at the Washington Spirit coaches.

Jonatan Giráldez – Head Coach

NWSL History: The Spirit job is Giráldez's first time coaching in the NWSL and in the U.S. The Spirit announced his hiring in January 2024, though he did not join the club until July while he finished up at Barcelona.

• Highest License: Giráldez is not licensed through USSF but per the Spirit, "He holds the UEFA Pro Coaching license, a degree in Sports Science by the Universidad de Barcelona and three different master’s degrees in high performance, collective sports and soccer."

Giráldez does not appear to be in the USSF directory, which would mean:

• No Safe Soccer Clearance
• No Background Screening
• No SafeSport
• No Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

Adrián González – Assistant Coach

NWSL History: The Spirit job is González first time coaching in the NWSL and in the U.S. The Spirit announced his hiring in January 2024, and he served as interim head coach until the arrival of Giráldez. 

• Highest License: González is not licensed through USSF but per the Spirit, "He holds a degree in Sport Science by INEF Lleida, two master’s degrees in Sport Management and Financial Intelligence and a UEFA A license."

González does not appear to be in the USSF directory, which would mean:

• No Safe Soccer Clearance
• No Background Screening
• No SafeSport
• No Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

Mike Bristol – Director of Player Personnel/Assistant Coach

NWSL History: The Spirit hired Bristol in a consulting role in July 2022, and then was added to the coaching staff in August 2022 in the wake of Kris Ward's firing (and he was later banned from working in the league) due to misconduct. He came to the Spirit by way of FSU were he coached under Mark Krikorian, who was named President of Soccer Operations and General Manager of the Spirit in June 2022. Bristol also coached at former and now disgraced Chicago Red Stars coach Rory Dames' youth club, Eclipse Soccer Select, in his native Illinois in the beginning stages of his coaching career. 

• Highest License: Bristol does not appear to be licensed through USSF, and the Spirit's announcement of his hiring does not mention any licensing. 

Bristol does not appear to be in the USSF directory, which would mean:

• No Safe Soccer Clearance
• No Background Screening
• No SafeSport
• No Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

Morinao Imaizumi – Player Development Coach

NWSL History:  Imaizumi's first NWSL job was an assistant coach at the Chicago Stars, formerly Chicago Red Stars, starting in June 2022. After the 2022 NWSL season, he was named to the Spirit's coaching staff. Before the Stars, he coached at FSU under Krikorian. 

• Highest License: Imaizumi does not appear to be licensed through USSF. The Spirit's announcement of his hiring does not mention any licensing, but he might be licensed through the Japanese Football Association.

Imaizumi does not appear to be in the USSF directory, which would mean:

• No Safe Soccer Clearance
• No Background Screening
• No SafeSport
• No Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

Mami Yamaguchi – Assistant Coach/ Player Development Coach

NWSL History: A former player, Yamaguchi played a season in the WPS (the NWSL's predecessor) for the Atlanta Beat. The Spirit named her to the coaching staff in April 2023. She both played collegiality and later coached at FSU under Spirit President of Soccer Operations and General Manager, Mark Krikorian.

• Highest License: National B, issued 12/31/2021
• No Safe Soccer Clearance
• No Background Screening
• SafeSport: issued 2/11/2025 and valid through 2/11/2026
• No Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments

Nicole Barnhart - Assistant Goalkeeper Coach & Free Kick Specialist

NWSL History: A former USWNT goalkeeper, Barnhart played in the NWSL from the inaugural 2013 season until she announced her retirement in December 2024. She played for FC Kansas City, the Utah Royals, the Kansas City Current, and finished her career with the Spirit. In January 2025, the Spirit named her to the coaching staff. 

• Highest License: National B, issued 2/12/2022
• Safe Soccer Clearance: phase two of three complete, issued 9/26/2024 and expires 3/9/2025
• No Background Screening
• SafeSport: issued 11/4/2024 and valid through 11/4/2025
• Introduction to Safe and Healthy Playing Environments: issued 3/9/2024 and valid through 3/9/2025

Not only are none of the Washington Spirit coaches listed in the USSF database as having completed the Safe Soccer Clearance Program, but it appears that four out of six of them aren’t even in the USSF database at all. The program is voluntary and the club and/or the NWSL may have conducted background checks without putting it in the USSF system. However, the league is still dealing with the effects of rampant abuse, is currently being sued, and just recently had a player – former Utah Royal, Carly Nelson – speak out about the abuse she endured last season. The Safe Soccer Clearance Program is hardly a cure all, but shouldn’t the league want – if not outright mandate - that their coaches complete this program that was created because of the misconduct that occurred in the league?