Washington Spirit women’s soccer will play Utah Royals FC in an NWSL Playoffs semifinal Saturday at Audi Field. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., warmups begin at 11:15 a.m., and kickoff is scheduled for noon. The match will be the Washington Spirit’s third straight NWSL semifinal appearance.
Washington Spirit Matchday Schedule
Crashed Chords will perform at the Spirit Stage inside Gate A at 10:30 a.m. ET. Alex Vaughn will perform the national anthem, the MPD Honor Guard will serve as the color guard, and Lafayette Federal Credit Union will be the honorary captain.
The Spirit Crew will perform during halftime. Merchandise stands will close in the 75th minute, and fans must drop off jerseys by noon ET for same-day customization with any Spirit player’s name and number.
Fan Activities and Audi Field Policies
The first 7,000 fans will receive “Our Moment” rally flags presented by Lafayette Federal Credit Union, American Beverage Association, CVS Health, and MARS. In Spiritville, the first eight fans to visit the Lafayette Federal Credit Union table will receive field passes for pre-match warmups and enter a drawing for an on-field loge seat upgrade.
Spiritville will feature an “Our Moment is Now” photo opportunity, sub soccer, face painting, poster making, and a friendship bracelet station. Fans can also receive Sol de Janeiro samples while entering Audi Field.
Bags must be smaller than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches. Backpacks, coolers, and luggage are not allowed, and fans should review Audi Field’s restricted-item policies before arriving. Fans with medical needs or diaper bags should email Audi Field’s Guest Experience team and use Gate B for expedited entry.
Transportation and Accessibility
Fans can access Audi Field from the Navy Yard-Ballpark and Waterfront Metro stations. An ADA shuttle will run from the west entrance to the Audi Field Club Shop on a continuous 15- to 30-minute loop beginning one hour before kickoff and ending one hour after the match.
Parking is available at Akridge Lot 147, while Two Wheel Valet will store bicycles at the southwest corner of the stadium near the intersection of 2nd and T streets. Fans can also access parking at the Anacostia station, one stop away on the Green Line.
The KultureCity Sensory Room is located on the Heineken Rooftop, which will be closed for a private event. Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards will be available at Guest Services while supplies last. Fans can text (202) 888-2375 for assistance at Audi Field.
Postmatch Information
There will be no postmatch activities because of the event schedule at Audi Field. Fans are asked to exit the stadium as quickly as possible after the final whistle and place trash in a bin.
For the complete Washington Spirit matchday guide, fans can review the club’s official event information before heading to Audi Field.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Washington Spirit women’s soccer fans should plan to arrive early for the noon semifinal against Utah Royals FC. The matchday details include a 10:30 a.m. gate opening, pre-match entertainment, rally flags for the first 7,000 fans, and merchandise sales ending in the 75th minute.
Fans should also account for Audi Field’s bag restrictions, the Heineken Rooftop closure, and the lack of postmatch activities. Metro access, the ADA shuttle, bicycle storage, and the available assistance options provide useful planning details for the match.
Source: Original report
