Preview: Washington Spirit to Face Louisville in Yellow Out at Audi Field
Spirit to face Louisville in search of third straight win; pre-match performances from Tyler Goldstein Trio to entertain followers on the concourse
Washington, D.C. (04/28/2026) – The Washington Spirit will wrap up a brief home-stand Wednesday evening when it takes on Racing Louisville FC in the perimeters’ second and remaining assembly of the 2026 common season. Washington will put on his yellow Shockwave package at house this week and followers are inspired to come dressed in their greatest neon yellow. The match would be the Spirit’s final at Audi Field till Saturday, May 30. Tickets are nonetheless accessible at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets. Kicking off at 7 pm EDT, the match will air on Victory+ for Spirit followers unable to attend.
on the pitch
Wednesday’s match would be the second assembly between the Spirit and Louisville in simply over 5 weeks as the perimeters drew 2-2 in Kentucky on March 20. After Washington fell behind 0-2, the staff battled again in the second half to save some extent on the street. Tomorrow’s contest would be the remaining time these two groups face off in the common season till subsequent yr.
The Spirit holds a powerful 6-1-7 all-time file in opposition to Louisville, having not misplaced in the collection in 12 straight contests. This unbeaten streak is the longest energetic run by one membership in opposition to one other in the league. Washington additionally has an unbeaten file at house in opposition to Racing, with three wins and three attracts at Audi Field. Despite the favorable file, the Spirit has gone three consecutive matchups with no win with common season attracts in August 2025 and March 2026 in addition to a draw in final November’s quarterfinal match in which Washington superior after a penalty shootout.
Washington is presently on a two-match win streak in addition to a three-match shutout streak after final Friday’s resound 4-0 win over the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Goalkeeper Sandy MacIver has been in sturdy type these days with a targets in opposition to common of 0.67 by six matches. The staff’s three straight clear sheets matches a membership file; one on Wednesday evening would set a brand new staff mark at 4.
The Spirit is led in the attacking third by midfielder Leicy Santos who was lately named the NWSL’s Player of the Week for her two-goal efficiency final weekend. Santos now has three targets on the yr. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, six completely different Spirit gamers have tallied multi-goal video games. No different staff in the league has greater than three such gamers. Forward Trinity Rodman additionally bought on the scoresheet final week, tallying her first help and aim of the yr.
The Spirit nonetheless leads the league in possession charge at slightly below 60% and maintains its standing in the highest three in pictures and pictures on course. After a sluggish begin to the yr in goal-scoring, the staff broke by final week, ending their possibilities at a powerful clip. While Washington additionally has the second-most large possibilities in the league thus far this season, it solely has the Thirteenth-most assists as six of the staff’s targets have come unassisted.
Racing Louisville enters the week recent off its first win of the season, a 3-2 house victory over Orlando. Louisville matches have been something however action-less with all 5 of the facet’s video games this season seeing at least three complete targets scored. Racing is presently tied for third-most targets scored (10) and is second in targets in opposition to (12). Alongside this yr’s Angel City FC staff, Louisville is the primary in league historical past to begin a season with 5 matches of three or extra complete targets.
Six completely different Louisville gamers have already scored this season, together with three which have a number of targets. Forward Sarah Weber leads the staff with three targets whereas midfielder Taylor Flint and defender Lauren Milliet are shut behind with two apiece. Forward Emma Sears has offered three assists already by 5 matches, scoring one as properly.
Louisville is presently final in the NWSL in charge of possession in contrast to the Spirit’s primary standing. Washington will need to restrict Racing’s time with the ball and hold its fast-paced assault with out many appears in the ultimate third.
This week’s playoff rematch might be a detailed one if latest historical past is any indication. In Louisville’s final 5 journeys to the DMV, he has managed to battle to a draw 4 occasions. In 2023, the facet saved some extent after conceding in the opening minutes at Audi Field and even held a lead by a lot of the second half of final summer time’s assembly earlier than incomes a playoff berth for the primary time later that season.
Around the Stadium
Upon arrival for Wednesday’s “yellow out,” followers might be greeted by the sounds of Tyler Goldstein Trio at the Spirit Stage. The band will carry out a mix of rock, blues and funk music from the time gates open at 5:30 pm EDT till the match kicks off at 7 pm Also exhibiting up and exhibiting out this week is the Spirit Crew Entertainment Team to proceed entertaining followers till the stadium lights flip off. Assembled this offseason, the Spirit Crew is the primary ever co-ed NWSL leisure staff.
Spiritville will proceed to function activations that followers might be positive to love on Wednesday evening. In addition to the return of soccer bowling and fan-favorites just like the momentary tattoo station, poster-making station and yard video games, Spiritville options much more picture areas this yr for followers to immortalize their visits to Audi Field together with the all-new metro set.
The concourse may even function a number of new concessions choices that debuted at the season opener earlier this yr. Around the southeast nook of the stadium might be meals truck row with 4 distinctive meals truck choices to present much more selection on matchday. In addition to a brand new pizza stand at the stadium, the north concourse might be house to a brand new vegan merchandising machine for inclusive choices.
Before kickoff, Audi Field will expertise one other customized gentle present thanks to the Spirit’s new fan-first tech. Fans might be in a position to flip their telephones into a part of the present themselves by scanning a QR code accessible in-stadium and be a part of the enjoyable. The code will take you to an online web page that can ask to allow permissions to your cellphone flashlight. Once you click on settle for you are in the present! Make positive to hold the tab open till it is time for the present to start. Once nearer, you may discover the display will change. The gentle present will start earlier than procession to welcome your favourite Spirit gamers out of the tunnel in fashion.
The nationwide anthem might be carried out by Rachel Ferguson tomorrow evening, with ASL interpretation by Jillian Regen. The DC Fire shade guard will current the flags alongside them earlier than the match kicks off. The soccer motion will not cease at halftime as Volo Sports will maintain seven-on-seven mini video games on the pitch through the break as followers gear up for the second half.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier skilled ladies’s soccer staff primarily based in Washington, DC and performs at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was based on November 21, 2012, and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the quickest rising sports activities league in the US The membership is house to a number of the greatest gamers in the world who’ve gained championships for each membership and nation. For extra details about the membership, go to WashingtonSpirit.com and comply with the membership on Twitter, instagram and Facebook.
