The Spirit’s Path to the 2024 NWSL Playoffs
On Sunday, November 10, the Washington Spirit will return to the playoffs for the first time since winning the NWSL Championship in 2021. Below, we break down this year’s historic season and the path to clinching a berth in the postseason.
March 23: Spirit Earns First Win
After dropping its season opener in Seattle, the Spirit put on a show for the Audi Field crowd, beating Bay FC, 2-1. The Spirit goals came from a duo of first round picks — Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt. Bethune’s 95th minute game-winner was the second-latest game-winner in club history. The win marked the sixth straight home opener victory for Washington.
March 23 – April 20: Spirit Picks Up Four Straight Wins
The Spirit shot out of the gates, improving to a 4-1-0 record to start the 2024 NWSL regular season. These wins came over Bay FC, Utah, Houston, and Gotham FC. In that time, the Spirit conceded goals only three times, while racking up nine goals of its own. This was the first four-game win streak since October 2021 through May 2022.
May 10 – June 8: Déjà Vu
Only a month later, the Spirit launched into another four-game winning streak, defeating Louisville, Angel City, Seattle, and Utah during that time. The Spirit earned a +5 goal differential (10-5) over that span. By June 8, the Spirit had yet to draw a match, and stood among the top teams on the NWSL Table with a 9-3-0 record.
July 6: Record-Breaking Road Streak
After defeating Bay FC, 3-0, on the road, this year’s team became the first Spirit squad in history to win four road games in a row. This stretch included victories over Louisville, Utah, Gotham FC, and Bay FC. For only the 10th time in club history, the Spirit scored three or more goals in a road game in the July 6 match.
August 25: Putting the League on Notice
In the team’s first regular season match since the Olympic break, the Spirit’s offense erupted for four goals against one-loss Kansas City. Leicy Santos made her Spirit debut and scored her first NWSL goal as the Spirit jumped to #2 on the table.
September 14: CLINCHED!
Due to results from around the NWSL, the Spirit clinched a top-eight seed in this year’s NWSL season, locking in a playoff spot. The next day, the Spirit defeated the Houston Dash, 3-0 — the third match that the Spirit defeated an opponent by three or more goals this season.
October 12: Quarterfinals at Audi Field Locked In
North Carolina Courage’s draw against Angel City FC on this night guaranteed the Spirit will finish top four on the table, securing a home match for the quarterfinals. This season, the Spirit has won 10 home matches–the most in club history. “The electric atmosphere created by our fans here in DC continues to provide us with an important home field advantage,” said Head Coach Jonatan Giráldez.
November 2: Playing for Home Field Advantage
The Spirit enters its final regular season match in a tight battle with Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current for the #2 seed in the playoffs. Should the Spirit come out on top, the team would secure home field advantage for any potential semifinal match.
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