Audi Field lived up to its nickname of “ROWDY AUDI” in 2024, with nearly 200,000 fans packing the stadium to cheer on the Washington Spirit during the regular season. With an incredible 10 home victories, the Spirit tied the NWSL record for the most home wins in a single season. Before the team hosts its quarterfinal match presented by Fanatics Sportsbook on Sunday, let’s relive some of the most unforgettable moments of this remarkable year at Audi Field:
Rookies shine bright in Audi Field debut
In a sign of what was to come, Hal Hershfelt scored the Spirit’s first goal of the year in front of the largest home opener crowd in club history. Entering stoppage time, the game remained tied 1-1 until Croix Bethune scored her first career goal with just seconds remaining in the match to lift the Spirit to its first win of the season.
Teamwork on these goals was outstanding!
Listen to what Croix Bethune & Hal Hershfelt had to say about their debut goals pic.twitter.com/3uCZt5vC57
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) March 25, 2024
A frenzy of first half goals
On May 18, Audi Field witnessed history when six goals were scored in the first half of the Spirit versus Angel City match. Three Spirit goals came within only six minutes of each other. Trinity Rodman scored a first half brace and Casey Krueger logged her first goal as a Spirit player.
Gone streaking
The Spirit won four straight matches in the spring scoring nine goals while conceding just three. The win streak was capped off with a 2-0 victory over the 2021 NWSL Champions Gotham FC at Audi Field in front of over 15,000 fans. Once again, Bethune scored the match-winner—her third goal in four games.
CROIX BETHUNE IS CRUSHIN’ IT pic.twitter.com/qrnAhD6eGR
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) April 20, 2024
Showing out for nearly 20,000
In front of a club record sold-out crowd on June 15, Bethune did what she does best: come up big with the match on the line. Down by one goal to the San Diego Wave with only seconds left in the match, Bethune tracked down a ball in the box, netted the equalizer, and hit an iconic dice roll celebration that sent all 19,897 fans in attendance into bedlam.
WHAT CAN’T SHE DO, SHE’S CROIX BETHUNE
Congratulations to Croix Bethune for winning the Week 12 Goal of the Week with this last-minute, game-tying stunner! pic.twitter.com/cIyq1m3Qb7
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) June 18, 2024
A British invasion
Over two weekends in August, the Washington Spirit International Friendlies hosted English powerhouses Arsenal and Chelsea at Audi Field. The event culminated with a star-studded doubleheader as the Spirit beat the Kansas City Current 4-1 and moved to second place on the NWSL table, while Chelsea defeated rival Arsenal 1-0.
PAIGE
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) August 25, 2024
A Magic-al Dunk
On September 7, Rodman scored a tying goal and ran nearly the length of the field to dunk on and celebrate with newly-announced Spirit investor Magic Johnson and owner Michele Kang.
TRINITY RODMAN
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) September 7, 2024
Later in the match, Rodman sent a cross to Leicy Santos who headed into the back of the net to seal the win over the Portland Thorns.
TRIN LEICY
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) September 7, 2024
Celebrating & clinching
The day after clinching a spot in the playoffs, the Spirit handily defeated the Houston Dash 3-0 at home. Ashley Hatch scored twice before Rodman netted a contender for Goal of the Year. Following the match, players celebrated their return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021 alongside supporters.
WHAT A BANGER FROM TRIN pic.twitter.com/RhGzL4OS7D
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) September 15, 2024
Rookies once again come up big
In the final regular season home match of the year, Heather Stainbrook became the sixth Spirit rookie to score a goal this season. Fellow rookie Makenna Morris added her fifth goal of the season in the second half as the Spirit went on to beat the Chicago Red Stars, 2-0.
Heather Stainbrook’s first NWSL goal is your @SNICKERS Satisfying Play pic.twitter.com/BPftgwo4YY
— Washington Spirit – x (@WashSpirit) October 21, 2024
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