{"id":2344376,"date":"2026-03-25T02:00:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T02:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2344376"},"modified":"2026-03-25T02:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T02:00:16","slug":"preview-washington-spirit-returns-home-to-host-utah-royals-fc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/preview-washington-spirit-returns-home-to-host-utah-royals-fc\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Washington Spirit Returns Home to Host Utah Royals FC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><em><span class=\"TextRun SCXW261547998 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW261547998 BCX0\">Spirit will meet Royals in midweek matchup at Audi\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW261547998 BCX0\">Field<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW261547998 BCX0\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW261547998 BCX0\">\u00a0fans can catch Crashed Chords on the concourse before kickoff<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW261547998 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Washington, D.C. (03\/24\/2026)<\/strong> \u2013 <span data-contrast=\"none\">The Washington Spirit will return home Wednesday night for a midweek meeting with Utah Royals FC at Audi Field. This match will be the Spirit\u2019s last home fixture until late April as it prepares to hit the road for a few away contests. Tickets are still available at WashingtonSpirit.com\/tickets. Kicking off at 7 p.m. EDT, the match will stream both locally and nationally on Victory+ for Spirit fans unable to attend.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>On the Pitch\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Washington will host Utah for the first time since last May\u2019s action-packed 3-3 draw in which the Spirit netted an equalizer in the 12th minute of second half stoppage time to save a draw and take a point. The Spirit enters Wednesday night\u2019s match coming off another draw, this one with a score of 2-2 in Louisville against Racing. The visitors\u2019 two goals came off the feet of Sofia Cantore and Leicy Santos, both assisted by Rosemonde Kouassi, for Washington\u2019s first two scores of 2026.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Spirit earned its point last weekend the hard way as it came from multiple goals down to do so. This was just the second time\u00a0since 2015\u00a0the club was able to overcome a multi-goal deficit\u00a0to avoid coming away empty-handed.\u00a0In the process, Kouassi\u00a0dished her way to sixth on the club\u2019s all-time regular season\u00a0assist\u00a0leaderboard, passing teammate Tara Rudd and Spirit legend Tori Huster.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Both the Spirit and Utah will look to get their first wins\u00a0of 2026 this week as Washington has one draw and one loss while Royals FC has two losses.\u00a0Utah opened its campaign with a\u00a01-2 loss in Kansas City before dropping its home opener 1-2 to San Diego.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Utah\u00a0enters the week currently\u00a0on an 11-match scoring streak, having not been shut out since\u00a0last August. This hot streak follows\u00a0a run last season in which Royals FC was shut out in nine out of 15 matches throughout the first half of 2025.\u00a0The side\u2019s two goals this season have been scored by Tatumn Milazzo and Lara Pra\u0161nikar,\u00a0two players that were not available for much of last season for Utah. Milazzo missed the year recovering from an ACL injury while Pra\u0161nikar\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0join the team until the fall after transferring from Germany.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Royals FC is helped in the attack by Cece Delzer as well, who has scored four goals against the Spirit across her NWSL career, tied for her most against a single opponent.\u00a0Look for the Spirit to lean on the strength of its defending third to limit a strong Utah attack\u00a0on Wednesday night as it looks for its first clean sheet of the season.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Spirit holds a 3-5-2 all-time record against Utah including a 2-1-1 record since the Royals rejoined the NWSL in 2024. The Spirit swept Utah in 2024 before drawing the first matchup of 2025 and losing the second with a shorthanded roster ahead of the start of the playoffs. Washington also brings a -2 goal differential (8-10) in the series into Wednesday night\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Around the Stadium\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">As fans enter Audi Field on Wednesday night,\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0be able to enjoy music from\u00a0local DMV pop rock band\u00a0Crashed Chords\u00a0on the Spirit Stage. Crashed Chords has quickly become a staple at Audi Field, having performed at several Spirit matches throughout the team\u2019s 2025 run back to the NWSL Championship.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">After their first Audi Field appearance at the season opener, the Spirit Crew Entertainment Team will be back again on Wednesday to continue entertaining fans from the time gates open until the stadium lights turn off. Assembled this offseason, the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spirit Crew is the first ever co-ed NWSL\u00a0entertainment\u00a0team.\u00a0They will take the field pregame hyping up the fans with tumbling and bringing the energy on the pitch before the players take the field and partake in a halftime t-shirt toss.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Spiritville\u00a0will continue to feature activations that fans will be sure to love on Wednesday night. In addition to fan-favorites like the temporary tattoo station, poster-making\u00a0station\u00a0and yard games,\u00a0Spiritville\u00a0will feature even more photo areas for fans to immortalize their visits to Audi Field. The concourse will also feature several new concessions options that debuted at the season opener earlier this month. Around the southeast corner of the stadium will be\u00a0food\u00a0truck row with four unique food truck options to provide even more variety on matchday. In addition to a new pizza stand at the stadium, the north concourse will be home to a new vegan vending machine for inclusive options.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Before kickoff on Wednesday night, Audi Field will experience another custom light show thanks to the Spirit\u2019s new fan-first tech. Fans will be able to turn their phones into part of the show themselves by scanning a QR code available in-stadium and join the fun. The code will take you to a web page that will ask to enable permissions to your phone flashlight. Once you click accept you\u2019re in the show! Make sure to keep the tab open until it\u2019s time for the show to begin. Once closer, you\u2019ll notice the screen will change. The light show will begin before procession to welcome your favorite Spirit players out of the tunnel in style.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Following the light show, the national anthem will be performed by Rachel Ferguson tomorrow night, with ASL interpretation by Jillian Regen. DC\u2019s Metropolitan Police Department color guard will present the flags alongside them.\u00a0At halftime, soccer action\u00a0will continue down on the pitch with\u00a0seven-on-seven matches between players from local St. James Academy and the Player Progression Academy (PPA).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:260,&quot;335559740&quot;:432}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>About The Washington Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women\u2019s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women\u2019s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonspirit.com\/\"><strong>WashingtonSpirit.com<\/strong><\/a> and follow the club on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/washspirit\"><strong>Twitter<\/strong><\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/washingtonspirit\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/washingtonspirit\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"rocketlazyloadscript\">\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com\/s\/swA2CP6qE0i9Dg6f6txSx6K5m?domain=connect.facebook.net');\nfbq('init', '1533153257373291');\nfbq('track', 'PageView');\n<\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source washingtonspirit.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spirit will meet Royals in midweek matchup at Audi\u00a0Field,\u00a0fans can catch Crashed Chords on the concourse before kickoff\u00a0 Washington, D.C. (03\/24\/2026) \u2013 The Washington Spirit will return home Wednesday night for a midweek meeting with Utah Royals FC at Audi Field. This match will be the Spirit\u2019s last home fixture until late April as it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2344377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2344376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Preview-Washington-Spirit-Returns-Home-to-Host-Utah-Royals-FC-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2344376"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2344378,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344376\/revisions\/2344378"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2344377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2344376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2344376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2344376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}