The District’s sports teams are heating up this fall. Not only are the Washington Commanders and Washington Capitals off to a hot start, but the Washington Spirit is hitting its stride as the team’s playoff journey continues. The team announced on Thursday that its semifinal matchup on Saturday will be in front of a sold-out crowd.
It took just 72 hours after defeating Bay FC at Audi Field during the quarterfinals to sell out the DC soccer stadium. This is the Spirit’s second consecutive sellout and third sellout of the season.
It’s a stark contrast to just three years ago when the Spirit last went on a playoff run. During the 2021 quarterfinal game, Audi Field welcomed 5,379 fans, while in 2024 over 19,000 fans were in attendance.
Kickoff for Saturday’s matchup against Gotham FC is set for noon. The Spirit are 2–1 against the New Jersey-based team this season and hold a 17–13–9 record all-time.
The game will mark the Spirit’s fifth semifinal in team history, second home semifinal, and first semifinal at Audi Field.
Fans who are heading to the game should arrive early. They can join the Spirit Supporters at Solace Outpost starting at 10 a.m. At 10:45 the Supporters March takes place bringing everyone to Audi Field. Not only is the team encouraging fans to wear black, but the first 6,000 fans in attendance will receive a Spirit trucker hat.
If the team wins on Saturday, it then goies on to the NWSL in Kansas City on November 23 – where it takes on either the Orlando Pride or Kansas City Current. Those teams play each other on Sunday, November 17.
Feature image courtesy Washington Spirit
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