Washington Spirit Keep NWSL Semi-Final at Audi Field While Gotham Venue Remains Uncertain

Match Location Secured

The Washington Spirit will play their National Women's Soccer League semi-final against the Utah Royals at Audi Field after reaching a deal to avoid a venue shift. The game is scheduled for Saturday in the noon broadcast window. A move to Northwest Stadium, home of the NFL's Washington Commanders, had been considered because a Division III college football game was previously booked at Audi Field for the same afternoon.

Stadium Arrangements

Audi Field has served as the Spirit's full-time home since 2023. The club does not own the stadium, as it is owned and operated by the MLS team DC United. The Spirit could not confirm if the conflicting college football game was moved.

Pitch Concerns

Meanwhile, Gotham FC faces uncertainty regarding the location and field conditions for their semi-final against the Kansas City Current, which is set for Sunday at 3 pm. Gotham's usual home venue, Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, has suffered heavy wear and tear from recent soccer and rugby matches. During a quarter-final win over Seattle, players and coaches criticized the patchy, sandy pitch with visible brown spots. Reign captain Jess Fishlock called the field atrocious, while Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros apologized for the conditions. Reign head coach Laura Harvey also criticized the state of the venue, and the league reportedly fined Gotham $10,000 for poor pitch conditions in a previous match.

Context

Stadium scheduling conflicts and shared venue arrangements are common challenges in professional women's soccer, where teams frequently rent facilities rather than owning them. Poor field quality can directly affect player safety and match quality during crucial playoff rounds.