March 22, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Washington Spirit News Release
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Spirit will face Bay FC in both sides’ second match of the 2024 NWSL regular season. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EDT at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. and will broadcast ION.
The Spirit
The Washington Spirit opened its 2024 season with a 0-1 defeat to Seattle Reign FC last Sunday. After surrendering a penalty kick in the first seconds of the match, the Spirit was on the backfoot for much of the match. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury logged five first half saves, her most since 2019, before being ejected following a red card for handling a ball outside of the box. Second-year keeper, Lyza Bosselmann, promptly appeared in goal, making her Spirit and NWSL debut. However, Bosselmann will not be needed in the team’s home opener after the Spirit successfully appealed Kingsbury’s red card.
An additional five players made their Spirit debuts on the Starting XI, including three NWSL first round draft selections – Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt and Kate Wiesner – and two offseason free agent signees, Casey Krueger and Brittany Ratcliffe.
Heading into the team’s home opener at Audi Field, the Spirit has never lost its first two matches of a season and has won its first regular season home match in each of the last five seasons dating back to 2018. Should this hold true, the Spirit should be in good shape.
Bay FC was awarded expansion on April 4, 2023, and is one of the newest expansion sides in the NWSL. Accordingly, Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Washington and Bay FC. The Spirit has won its last three home matches against California clubs dating back to May 2022.
Audi Field represents one of the best home field advantages in the NWSL. In 26 regular season games at Audi Field, the Spirit has only lost six. This marks one of the lowest losing percentages in the NWSL (min. 25 games played), trailing only Portland (Providence Park), Seattle (Lumen Field) and North Carolina (WakeMed Soccer Park).
Be on the lookout for Trinity Rodman who will make her season debut on Saturday night after missing last week’s game – the red card she received in the 2023 season finale caused her to miss the first match of this season. With one assist, she will tie Diana Matheson and Crystal Dunn for the Spirit all-time assists record with 11.
Next up, the Spirit continues its homestand at Audi Field, hosting Utah Royals FC on Sunday, March 31 at 1:00 p.m EDT….