Washington Spirit
Washington Spirit is an NWSLNWSLThe National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women’s soccer league in the United States with 16 clubs in 2026. It stages a regular season, playoffs and the Challenge Cup, while a collective bargaining agreement governs employment relations between clubs and players.Open the full entry women's professional soccer club in Washington, D.C. It unveiled its identity in 2012, began league play in 2013, and plays at Audi Field. Its trophies include the 2021 NWSL Championship and 2025 Challenge Cup.
Contents9 sections
Key facts
December 2012Club identity unveiled
On December 11, 2012, the club unveiled the Washington Spirit name and named Mike Jorden its first head coach, with Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland, as its initial home.[1]
September 2021League investigation and governance restrictions
On September 28, 2021, the NWSL announced measures following an independent investigation: the club’s head coach was terminated for cause and Spirit representatives were barred from league governance. The board found that the club and ownership had failed to act in the league’s best interests.[2]
November 2021First NWSL Championship
On November 20, 2021, the Spirit won its first NWSL Championship with a 2–1 extra-time victory over the Chicago Red StarsChicago Stars FCChicago Stars FC, formerly the Chicago Red Stars, is an NWSL women's professional soccer club in the Chicago area, playing in Evanston in 2026.Open the full entry in Louisville. Andi Sullivan equalized from the penalty spot and Kelley O’Hara headed the winner.[3]
March 2022Michele Kang completes controlling acquisition
On March 30, 2022, the club announced that Michele Kang had completed her acquisition of a controlling interest.[4]
2023Audi Field becomes the full-time home
Since 2023, the Spirit has played all home matches at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., located at 100 Potomac Avenue SW.[5]
March 2025Challenge Cup victory
On March 7, 2025, the Spirit drew 1–1 with Orlando PrideOrlando PrideOrlando Pride is an NWSL women's professional soccer club in Orlando, Florida. It began play in 2016, hosts matches at Inter&Co Stadium, and won its first NWSL Shield and Championship in 2024.Open the full entry in regulation and won the penalty shootout 4–2 to claim its first Challenge Cup.[6]
November 2025Championship runner-up
On November 22, 2025, the Spirit finished runner-up after losing the NWSL Championship final 1–0 to Gotham FCGotham FCGotham FC is a women's professional soccer club representing the New York–New Jersey region in the NWSL. Formerly Sky Blue FC, it plays at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, and won the NWSL Championship in 2023 and 2025.Open the full entry in San Jose.[7]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Washington Spirit: Official website: https://washingtonspirit.com/ (opens in a new window).[8]
Washington Spirit: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washingtonspirit/ (opens in a new window).[9]
Washington Spirit: X: https://twitter.com/WashSpirit (opens in a new window).[10]
Washington Spirit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washingtonspirit/ (opens in a new window).[11]
Washington Spirit: LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: https://www.linkedin.com/company/washingtonspirit/ (opens in a new window).[12]
Washington Spirit: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@WashingtonSpirit (opens in a new window).[13]
Washington Spirit: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@washspirit (opens in a new window).[14]
Sources
- We are the Washington Spirit (opens in a new window)
- NWSL Announces Update in Washington Spirit Investigation (opens in a new window)
- Spirit Secures First NWSL Title with 2-1 Win over Chicago (opens in a new window)
- Entrepreneur Michele Kang Becomes Majority Owner of National Women’s Soccer League 2021 Champion Team (opens in a new window)
- Matchday Guide (opens in a new window)
- Recap: Short-Handed Spirit Wins 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup (opens in a new window)
- Recap: Spirit Drops Championship to Gotham FC, Finishes Season as Runner-Up (opens in a new window)
- Teams — NWSL (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — Facebook (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — X (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — Instagram (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — LinkedIn (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — YouTube (opens in a new window)
- Washington Spirit — TikTok (opens in a new window)