Inside the NWSL venue saga: Spirit land Audi Field, Gotham move to 5K-seat Icahn Stadium
AI Summary
The Washington Spirit will play at Audi Field, while Gotham FC is moving to 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium, amid ongoing venue negotiations in the NWSL. The report describes how the Spirit's strong home support and playoff prospects intersected with stadium decisions involving club and venue executives.
The messages started picking up in the 80th minute of the Washington Spirit’s quarterfinal game against the Portland Thorns. The Spirit, playing in front of another sold-out Audi Field crowd, were leading 4-1. A third semifinal berth in three years looked all but certain, and, thanks to the No. 7 Utah Royals upsetting the No. 2 San Diego Wave on Friday, that game would be at home — or at least near home. The phones of several executives from the Spirit, D.C. United and the National Women’s Socce