WASHINGTON — Before home field advantage is settled in Major League Baseball and we find out when the Nationals will host their NLDS games this year, another playoff game is coming to Washington. The Washington Spirit have earned their first-ever home playoff game, 8 p.m. Friday against the Chicago Red Stars at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
This marks the Spirit’s third consecutive postseason appearance, but the first time they’ll enjoy home field advantage for a game.
“It’s incredible,” Spirit captain and Alexandria native Ali Krieger told WTOP earlier this week. “Everybody has so many people coming to the match to support us.”
The Spirit get a rematch with the Red Stars, the team they fell 3-1 on the road last weekend in the regular season finale. In the only meeting between the teams at the Maryland SoccerPlex, the Spirit prevailed, 2-0, back on July 9.
That victory, though, came without any of the US Women’s National Team stars playing for either side. While that means Krieger and Dunn will return for Washington, it also means Julie Johnston, Christen Press and NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Naeher will be on hand for Chicago. Press opened the scoring last Saturday with an early goal as the Red Stars led throughout. The result cost the Spirit the top spot in the table and ensured the playoff rematch Friday.
Crystal Dunn had a few looks at goal, but couldn’t capitalize until the Spirit were already in a 3-0 hole. She’s happy for the opportunity for playoff revenge.
“We’re ready to just crush it,” said Dunn. “To have a repeat and to have them on our home turf now is just incredible.”
That said, Dunn isn’t putting too much pressure on herself. The defending NWSL MVP, she knows a lot is expected of her, but is confident she can rise to the challenge.
“I’m just looking at it as another chance to embrace my role on this team,” she said.
Both Dunn and Krieger played on the US Women’s National Team at the Rio Olympics, where they finished a disappointing fifth. But they’ve returned to the states able to focus fully on the goal of winning a club title.
“We’re 100 percent ready,” said Krieger. “We’ve played so well this entire season that we’re just ready to prove that we deserve this championship.”
With a win Friday night, the Spirit would advance to the NWSL Championship Game the following Sunday in Houston against the winner of the other semifinal between Portland Thorns FC and Western New York Flash. Both semifinals and the championship will air on FS1.
The game is expected to sell out, so check out Spirit’s website for ticket availability if you plan to attend.
