By strengthening their alliance with DC United, the Spirit will leave SoccerPlex entirely after '20WASHINGTON SPIRIT
The NWSL Washington Spirit recently "struck a deal" with DC United to play "four games apiece at two United-owned stadiums" in '20 and the remaining four at its current home, Maryland SoccerPlex, according to sources cited by Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. United proposed a "package deal" in which the Spirit would "play at both Audi Field and Segra Field, and eventually move its headquarters" to Leesburg, Va. By "strengthening its alliance with United," the Spirit will leave SoccerPlex entirely after the '20 season, seven years after it began hosting the team. In '21, the club "plans to play seven matches at the 20,000-capacity Audi Field" and "five at Segra Field, United's 5,000-seat venue" that opened this year in Leesburg. Also in '21, the Spirit will "relocate practices and daily functions" to Leesburg. As part of the deal, United will "provide a permanent locker room and office space" for the Spirit at Audi Field. At this time, it is "unclear" whether United would have "allowed the Spirit to play at Audi Field next year had it not agreed to the broader pact." Since "few fans are expected to travel" from the District to Leesburg for games, the club will have to "build a fan base in Loudon County and neighboring Fairfax County" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/9).
