Washington Spirit players shared their favorite DMV restaurants, neighborhoods and outdoor destinations ahead of the team’s Aug. 30 match against Bay FC at Audi Field. The National Women’s Soccer League match will mark the Washington Spirit’s first-ever Hello Kitty Day.
The first 5,000 fans will receive a reversible Spirit in Bloom Hello Kitty bucket hat. The event will also include themed activities at Audi Field.
Washington Spirit players highlight DMV favorites
Hal Hershfelt, a midfielder who wears No. 17, named Adams Morgan as her favorite neighborhood, Perry’s Sushi as her favorite restaurant and Shenandoah as her preferred place to hike or see nature. Tara Rudd, a No. 9 defender, selected Georgetown and Raw Omakase in Washington, D.C.
Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver chose Georgetown and The Wharf as favorite neighborhoods, Sushi Gaku as her restaurant choice and Great Falls for hiking. Defender Gabrielle “Gabby” Carle highlighted Zeppelin for sushi and Harper’s Ferry for hiking, while defender Esme Morgan selected Georgetown, Ama and the walk to Great Falls.
Midfielder Andi Sullivan recommended Teddy Roosevelt Island and named Chloe as one of her favorite restaurants. Forward Ashley Hatch chose The Wharf, L’Ardente for a special meal, Surfside for a casual option and the W & OD Trail for time outdoors.
Paige Metayer mentioned Barcelona Wine Bar, Daikaya and the grounds of the Hillwood Estate. Kate “Weezy” Wiesner named Georgetown, Grazie Grazie, Harper’s Ferry and the Billy Goat Trail, while goalkeeper Kaylie Collins highlighted Mount Pleasant, Astoria and Rock Creek Park.
Players recall Washington Spirit memories
The players also identified memorable moments with the Washington Spirit. Hershfelt cited the 2024 semifinal against Gotham, while Carle remembered the comeback from a 1-0 deficit to win that semifinal in penalty kicks.
Rudd and Hatch both selected the Washington Spirit’s 2021 National Women’s Soccer League Championship victory. Sullivan recalled, “The final whistle to win the final in 2021,” and MacIver pointed to the penalty shootout win over Louisville at Audi Field in the 2025 playoff quarterfinals.
Morgan highlighted the quarterfinal win over Louisville in the previous year’s playoffs. Collins selected the previous year’s quarterfinal penalty shootout, while Wiesner named every home playoff game from the 2024-25 seasons.
Washington Spirit players describe goal celebrations
The players also offered different descriptions of their goal celebrations. Hershfelt said, “Run around like a crazy person (I never have a celly plan),” while Rudd described hers as “A jump with a fist pump.”
Carle said, “I don’t really have a signature celly, but I do tend to raise both arms in the air when we score.” Hatch recalled, “The Catwalk pose that my teammates made me do last season against Bay [FC] at home.” Wiesner offered a simpler description: “No thoughts, just hugs and wild arm waving.”
Washington Spirit history and Bay FC match details
The Washington Spirit was founded in 2012 and launched in 2013. The team has reached the National Women’s Soccer League Championship four times and won the championship in 2021.
The Washington Spirit will face Bay FC at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Audi Field. The match will combine the team’s local player feature with its first-ever Hello Kitty Day and the giveaway for the first 5,000 fans.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Washington Spirit’s Bay FC preview connects the upcoming match with the places and memories players associate with the DMV. The player-by-player recommendations provide a local perspective without taking attention away from the Aug. 30 event at Audi Field.
Hello Kitty Day gives the match a defined fan feature, while the 2021 championship and recent playoff memories provide verified context for the Washington Spirit’s upcoming home appearance.
Source: Original report
