The Washington Spirit were initially slated to play next Saturday’s semifinal against the Utah Royals at Northwest Stadium, home of the Washington Commanders, due to a scheduling conflict. But plans changed, and the Spirit will remain at Audi Field for the win-or-go-home match.
Audi Field was initially slated to host the Secretaries Cup, a college football matchup between the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy, at 1 p.m. on Saturday. That game has been rescheduled. An alternate date for the Division III college football game has not been announced.
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Instead, the Spirit will welcome fans to “Rowdy Audi” with a championship game appearance on the line.
“Thanks to the collaboration of D.C. United and the generosity of Lafayette Federal Credit Union, who stepped forward to underwrite the additional costs necessary to bring this semifinal match home,” Spirit CEO Kim Stone said in a statement. “Let’s sell out Audi Field for the sixth straight playoff game!”
The Spirit are known for the raucous atmospheres at Audi Field in the District, but the venue is owned by MLS side D.C. United. The Secretaries Cup was scheduled months in advance, forcing the Spirit to consider alternate options as they advanced through the postseason.
But Audi Field is home for superstar Trinity Rodman and the Spirit. It’s also one of the best home-field advantages in women’s soccer. The NWSL has established a large enough fanbase in the District that it will host the championship match at the Spirit’s home on Nov. 21.
“For playoffs, it’s just a different energy. You feel it from the first whistle, just how loud the stadium is. There’s more passion, obviously from the fans, but also [from] us as well,” Rodman told reporters on Sunday. “We’re getting a lot more into it, and it’s just a fun thing to feel.”
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