This article was updated on November 6, 2025.
After nearly winning their second National Women’s Soccer League championship last year, the Washington Spirit are once again chasing a title. After finishing the regular season with the league’s second-best record, the No. 2 seed Spirit will host N0. 7 seed Racing Louisville FC in a quarterfinal match this Saturday at noon at Audi Field. The game will also be broadcast nationally on CBS.
If the Spirit win, they’ll advance to the semifinals—also at Audi Field—scheduled for either Saturday, November 15 at noon or Sunday, November 16 at 3 PM, depending on how the bracket unfolds.
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
Tickets for Saturday’s quarterfinal match are on sale now, starting at $29 and going up to $182. A team spokesperson says they’re “selling fast.” If the Spirit win, semifinal tickets will go on sale immediately after the match.
“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.
Who’s in the Playoffs
The league’s top eight teams have advanced to the postseason, ranked by their playoff seeding below. The playoffs are single elimination—win and move on, lose and go home.
- Kansas City Current (21-3-2)
- Washington Spirit (12-6-8)
- Portland Thorns FC (11-8-7)
- Orlando Pride (11-8-7)
- Seattle Reign FC (10-7-9)
- San Diego Wave (10-9-7)
- Racing Louisville FC (10-9-7)
- Gotham FC (9-8-9)
What Are the Chances the Spirit Can Win It All?
The Spirit have positioned themselves as one of the teams to beat. The club were on a 12-match unbeaten streak this season before it ended with a 3-2 loss to the Orlando Pride on October 18. 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.”
Who’s on the Field
Leading the Spirit 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.
How to Look (and Sound) Like a Fan
If you’ve never been to a 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.
