NWSL Spirit Draw Healthy Crowds In Two Matches At Audi Field

The Spirit will likely look to schedule more games at Audi Field next season after two strong showingsWASHINGTON SPIRIT

The NWSL Washington Spirit on Saturday made their "second and final festive visit of the season to Audi Field," drawing 17,418 for a 2-2 draw against Reign FC, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST.  With the turnout "raising the Spirit’s two-game average" at the facility to 18,645, the "question seems not whether the Spirit will return to DC United’s stadium next year but how often." The 14-month-old venue on Saturday "buzzed with excitement from the start -- and particularly at the finish -- and again provided a big-time feel for a team that plays most home matches at 5,200-capacity Maryland SoccerPlex." The team averages 3,419 at SoccerPlex. Spirit Majority Owner Steve Baldwin will have to "weigh the obvious benefits of operating in the hub of the metro area with the costs of renting Audi Field as well as alienating the small but loyal base of suburban support" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/15).