From being overlooked for the last WAFCON despite being in top form to losing her father, Washington Spirit striker Gift Monday tells Abiodun Adewale how she rose above personal and professional setbacks to enjoy a standout season with her club
Your first season in the NWSL was a strong one — 10 goals and two assists, and a second-place finish with Washington Spirit. How would you personally rate your debut season in such a competitive league?
I would say that my debut season in the NWSL was a good one. It was a strong start for me in my first year, achieving this much. I also need to give myself my flower. I did my best. I got into the league, blended in quickly, and made my mark.
We didn’t really see your switch to the USA coming because you were in great form in Spain. What was the motivation, and what has been the difference in the style of football in Spain and the USA?
When I moved, I saw it as an opportunity to explore and experience another type of football. Trust me, when you are doing well, people will definitely have their eyes on you. On the difference between the Spanish league and the NWSL, I initially thought it was very physical here, but when I arrived, I realised it’s not just about physicality. The competition is also strong in technique and tactics, just as it was in Spain.
Was there a particular goal or assist this season that felt extra special or marked a turning point for your confidence in the league?
Every assist and every goal was special. The ability to score and execute the touches, the control and everything perfectly makes it special. But I will single out the hat-trick I scored against Houston Dash. On that day, I did everything right. I got into position on time and had accuracy with my touches. That hat-trick made history as the fastest hat-trick from kick-off in NWSL history, and it was also the first hat-trick recorded at Audi Field. Those pieces of history make it very special.
Finishing second as a team is a big achievement. What do you think made this Washington Spirit squad so effective, and how proud are you of what you all built together?
Finishing second was a big achievement, and I don’t take it for granted. I would credit that to the team spirit and the game plan from the technical crew to the players on the pitch. Special thanks also go to the fans; they gave us all the support we needed.
Looking ahead to next season, what areas are you most focused on improving—both individually and with the team—to push for even more success?
In 2026, by the grace of God, I am looking forward to improving my finishing technique. As a striker, you have to score goals but sometimes miss goals. Even the best strikers miss chances, but I’m focusing on my finishing because I want to be the kind of striker who scores more than she misses. Also, as a team player, I want to be able to stand out even when things are going south and help my team win every game, if possible.
Off the pitch, I also want to give back to society and establish my own foundation to help and inspire young people to do better. To put this together, I will need moral and financial support, and I hope to get it from as many people as possible so I can achieve the goal of giving young ones reasons to chase their dreams.
You put out a statement after missing out on the last WAFCON, expressing your feelings and showing support for the team. How motivated are you heading into the new year to make your mark with the national team again?
Missing out on the last WAFCON was a big motivation for me. I don’t dwell on the negatives; I always try to take the positive side from experiences. It might mean there was something I wasn’t doing well, even though I had a great season. So maybe I need to improve certain things in my game. Improving is something I can control. I can be a better person and a better player. I hope to keep getting better, and hopefully my hard work will give me another opportunity.
Did you have any conversations or have you been in touch with the coach since then?
No, there was no conversation.
You lost your dad in 2025. After taking some days off to give him his last respect, you returned to the pitch and scored immediately—it seemed like nothing had happened. How did you handle your emotions during that period?
Football is a source of joy for me, regardless of what I am going through. I just had to keep going. The goal I scored on my return, I dedicated it to all the Spirit fans and also to my dad, because he was my first coach. He made me who I am today and trained me to keep believing and to keep moving on.
If I hadn’t come back and scored that goal, I might never have forgiven myself because I would still have been moody. But with that moment, I knew my dad was with me and giving me the strength to keep going.
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