Hibernation is over. It’s time to get out of the house and marvel at the remarkable prowess of the region’s athletes at live sporting events. Not sporty, you say? No problem. Our spring season primer will make you sound like an ESPN pundit.
Washington Nationals
When: Monday, April 1, 4:05 p.m. home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Where: Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC
What’s new: Here’s your “in the know” mantra, and just keep repeating it until it’s true: “The 2024 Nationals are going to be the 2023 Orioles!” The young Baltimore team went from worst to first in 2023, winning the division and losing to the eventual World Series champs Texas Rangers in the playoffs. And they had fun! This year’s Nats are young, they’re fast, they’re eager to please, and they already have their first season together under their belts. Both manager Davy Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo received contract extensions to repeat the magic of 2019’s World Series season.
Tickets: mlb.com/nationals
Fun fact: The first base coach is none other than Gerardo Parra. Yes! Baby Shark (who was nicknamed for his walk-up song as a former player) is back!
CageZilla Fighting Championship 78
When: Saturday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Where: Salisbury Center, 8890 Mathis Ave., Manassas
What it is: Fifteen years ago, Manassas’ Salisbury family bought the town’s movie theater and reconfigured it as an events venue. In 2016, they staged their first MMA event, CageZilla, and have been hosting monthly live MMA promotions ever since, drawing some 800 to 1,000 fans to watch upcoming fighters work their way up to UFC.
Tickets: General admission begins at $55, with $155 more getting you ringside VIP seating. getwylde.com/cztix
Fun fact: CageZilla vet Sodiq Yusuff made his UFC debut in 2018 and is now the No. 12 featherweight in the world.
D.C. United
When: Season started February 24 and continues until October 19.
Where: Audi Field, 100 Potomac Ave. SW, Washington, DC
What’s new: The Black and Red took a gigantic push broom to the front office in the off season, with new general manager and chief soccer officer Ally Mackay replacing several operations and scouting directors. Also kicked into touch is the 15-month Wayne Rooney experiment, as the English folk hero departed as head coach without a playoff appearance in two seasons. New coach Troy Lesesne, 40, can only bring youthful energy to the talented squad.
Tickets: dcunited.com/tickets
Fun fact: Want to see Lionel Messi play? He makes his DC debut playing with Inter Miami against D.C. United on March 16.
Washington Spirit
When: Saturday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. home opener against San Francisco’s Bay FC
Where: Audi Field, 100 Potomac Ave. SW, Washington, DC
What’s new: A new head coach! The Spirit dismissed Mark Parsons, who only coached for one season, after missing the playoffs in October. Enter Jonatan Giráldez Costas, imported from FC Barcelona Feminí, the women’s team of fabled soccer powerhouse Barcelona. The new coach takes the reins of a team with USA, Canada, and Panama national team players, including fan favorites and World Cup veterans Trinity Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Ashley Sanchez, and Andi Sullivan.
Tickets: washingtonspirit.com/tickets
Fun fact: At one point, Giráldez had an astounding 50-game winning streak in Spanish league play. Bring it on!
Feature image courtesy D.C. United
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
