After nearly clinching the title last year, DC’s National Women’s Soccer League team, the Washington Spirit, is once again on the brink of glory. The club has secured the No. 2 seed in the NWSL playoffs, guaranteeing a home quarterfinal at Audi Field Nov. 7–9 and a potential semifinal there on Nov. 15–16, should they advance.
If you’re new to women’s soccer—or just new to the growing ranks of Spirit fans—here’s what to know before buying tickets or grabbing a pint to watch the game at a local bar alongside the diehards.
How to Get Tickets
The quarterfinals and possible semifinals will take place on the Spirit’s home turf, Audi Field, the 20,000-seat stadium they share with DC United in Southwest Washington.
Tickets for the quarterfinal match, ranging from $29 to $182, go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 9 AM. If the Spirit wins, tickets for the semifinal will go on sale immediately after.
“We are telling fans, get your tickets early, because last year we sold out those matches,” said RaShauna Hamilton, vice president of community development for the Spirit.
The quarterfinal matchups haven’t been announced yet, because the regular season, which runs through Nov. 2, is still wrapping up. The Spirit have two matches left: one against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, a rematch of last year’s championship, and another against the Utah Royals on Nov. 2.
Once the season concludes, the league’s top eight teams will advance to the playoffs, seeded according to their final records. The postseason is single elimination: win and move on, lose and go home.
What Are the Chances the Spirit Can Win It All?
So far, the Spirit have positioned themselves as one of the teams to beat. They’re riding a 15-match unbeaten streak, with a record of 12 wins, four losses, and eight draws. A championship this season would mark their second title since 2021, when they defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2–1 in overtime.
Head coach Adrián González, who took over midseason after Jonatan Giráldez left to lead OL Lyon in France, says this year’s Spirit squad is stronger, closer, and more ambitious than ever.
“We’ve changed a lot of things—the way that we train, the way that we compete,” he said. “We’re very dynamic, very versatile, and the ambition of winning is always there.”
How to Look (and Sound) Like a Fan
If you’ve never been to a Washington Spirit match, Meredith Bartley, president of the Spirit Squadron (one of several supporter groups), says to expect energy from the start.
“It’s a fast-paced game,” she says, “They call us Rowdy Audi for a reason.”
Before kickoff, fans gather at Solace Outpost in Navy Yard, where the Squadron typically meets several hours before each home game. From there, supporters march together to Audi Field, drums pounding, flags flying, and voices ready.
The Spirit Squadron, one of the team’s official supporter groups, occupies sections 136 and 137 at Audi Field. But be warned: this section doesn’t sit. Fans are on their feet for the entire match, chanting, drumming, and waving flags for more than 90 minutes.
“We make a lot of noise all day long,” Bartley says.
Participation in the chants (here is the full list) is strongly encouraged. And if you don’t know the words, Bartley says not to worry—they hand out chant sheets before each match. One of the loudest traditions comes in the 51st minute of each game, when the entire stadium joins in a booming “Free DC” chant. The ritual began a few months ago during the federal surge in law enforcement and has since become a signature moment of Spirit home games.
Bartley says the group reflects the diversity of the city. “It looks like DC,” she says. “It’s young professionals, kids who play soccer, queer fans who feel safe to be themselves—truly representing all of DC, not just one side of it.”
As for what to wear, Bartley admits that’s “a weirdly contentious question.” The team’s current colors are black and yellow, with newer forest or teal-green warm-up kits, though plenty of longtime fans still sport red, white, and blue gear from earlier seasons. “Basically,” she says, “if you have gear from any other DC team, it won’t be out of place.”
For Bartley and many longtime fans, another championship would mark the culmination of years of growth, not just for the team but for DC’s sports community as a whole. But especially now, she says, it would also be “cathartic” for the city, given everything that has happened over the past few months.
“It is not easy to be in DC, hasn’t been since January and before,” she said. “We’ve felt the DC vibes this year. It’s been amazing to come together and scream our heads off, even though we’re facing furloughs and National Guardsmen on the streets.”
Where Else to Watch If You Don’t Go to the Game
If you’d rather skip the stadium crowds—or don’t snag a ticket—you can cheer on the Spirit from home, of course, or at one of the team’s official bar partners hosting playoff watch parties across the area.
In DC, fans can catch the action at:
- Solace Outpost (71 Potomac Ave., SE), a favorite gathering spot just blocks from the stadium that offers indoor and outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio.
- Astro Beer Hall (1306 G St., NW), known for its smashburgers and beer selection.
- Dacha Beer Garden in Navy Yard (79 Potomac Ave., SE) and Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw (1600 7th St., NW), both family- and dog-friendly outdoor beer gardens serving seasonal food and craft drinks.
- As You Are (500 8th St., SE), an inclusive cafe and nightlife venue that doubles as a community hub for LGBTQ+ fans and allies.
- Bluejacket (300 Tingey St., SE), a microbrewery and restaurant near Nationals Park with a rotating selection of beers.
- Metrobar (640 Rhode Island Ave., NE), an outdoor venue built from a refurbished Metro car.
- Her Diner (2004 18th St., NW), an LGBTQ-friendly spot in Adams Morgan.
In Virginia, Spirit fans can gather at:
- Solace Outpost in Falls Church (444 W. Broad St.), a lively brewpub and beer garden known for its craft beers.
- Astro Beer Hall in Arlington (4001 Campbell Ave.), a Clarendon hotspot serving up its signature smashburgers and an extensive beer list.
- Piece Out Del Ray in Alexandria (2419 Mt. Vernon Ave.), a pizzeria and beer garden offering New Haven–style pies and local brews.
Who’s on the Field
Leading the attack is Trinity Rodman, the 23-year-old forward who helped the US win gold at the 2024 Olympics and already holds the Spirit’s all-time assists record. Defender Tara McKeown has become one of the league’s top center backs, while Colombian midfielder Leicy Santos and veteran goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury add experience and leadership.
Defender Kate Wiesner, now in her second year with the team, says what makes the team so consistent is its chemistry.
“We lean into our relationships as players, and I think that the strength of our relationships is the strength of this team,” she said.
* An earlier version of this story misstated the price range for quarterfinal tickets. They range from $29 to $182. The article has been corrected.
