Washington Spirit retain semi-final at Audi Field; Gotham venue uncertain

The Washington Spirit played their NWSL semi-final at Audi Field after the club reached a deal to avoid relocating the playoff game to Northwest Stadium, the home of the NFL's Washington Commanders. They announced on Sunday night that they faced the Utah Royals on 14 November (Saturday) at noon. Audi Field has served as the NWSL team's full-time home since 2023, hosting enthusiastic crowds during their playoff campaigns, including a recent 4-1 victory over the Portland Thorns that secured their semi-final berth.

Despite an earlier scheduling conflict due to a Division III college football game between the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy set for the same afternoon at Audi Field, the Spirit managed to retain their home venue. Earlier in the week, ESPN reported that the NWSL was preparing for contingencies that involved moving the Spirit's playoff game to Northwest Stadium, a large venue located in Landover, Maryland, about 10 miles northeast of downtown Washington. This change would have been considered if both the Spirit and the top-seeded Gotham advanced in their quarter-finals.

The Spirit, like several other NWSL teams, do not hold primary tenancy at Audi Field, which is owned and operated by MLS team DC United. The club did not confirm whether the college football game would be relocated to another date or site.

In addition, the league indicated that Gotham's semi-final against the Kansas City Current would take place at 3pm on 15 November (Sunday), but no venue was announced. Typically, the Shield winners play at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Since the Spirit's semi-final occur on Saturday, they are cleared to play in the Sunday late-afternoon broadcast window.

However, the condition of the field at Sports Illustrated Stadium has become a concern, following recent wear from soccer and rugby matches. The venue is scheduled to host a friendly match between the New York Red Bulls and Liga MX's Club América just one day before Gotham's semi-final. During Gotham’s quarter-final win against Seattle, the field conditions were described as poor, prompting criticism from players and coaches, including comments from Reign captain Jess Fishlock, who referred to the field as "atrocious."

Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amoros expressed regret for the field conditions, highlighting the club's challenges as tenants. Reign head coach Laura Harvey criticized the league for allowing poor conditions for playoff matches and noted that they had been a known issue prior to the game.

The league reportedly fined Gotham $10,000 after the poor field conditions were evident in their regular-season finale on 4 November. Potential alternatives for Gotham's semi-final include Icahn Stadium, a 5,000-seat venue in New York City, which hosts track events and has a natural grass pitch funded by MLS club NYCFC slated for use in 2024. A league statement pointed out that they had proactively explored various scenarios to minimize disruption for teams and maintain competitive integrity.