Inside the Spirit’s Mad Dash to Keep Its Playoff Game at Audi Field

Key Points:

• The Washington Spirit secured Audi Field for their NWSL semifinal match on Nov. 14 after initially planning to play at Northwest Stadium due to a scheduling conflict with the Secretaries’ Cup football game.
• Spirit executives made a last-minute arrangement during their quarterfinal match, with CEO Kim Stone coordinating with D.C. United and securing sponsorship from Lafayette Federal Credit Union to cover the costs of rescheduling the football game.
• The decision to stay at Audi Field was driven by player preference and the desire to maintain home-field advantage, avoiding the challenges of relocating to a larger but unfamiliar stadium.
• The semifinal match against the Utah Royals is scheduled for noon on Nov. 14 at Audi Field, with the NWSL Championship also set to be held there on Nov. 21, eliminating further venue changes for the Spirit’s playoff run.
• The cooperation from the Commanders and D.C. United, along with quick corporate sponsorship, enabled the Spirit to host the semifinal at their preferred venue despite initial logistical hurdles.