‘We are here for everyone’: Washington Spirit looks to defend DC in NWSL semifinals

in-article-vertical-video float right padding-left px width px critical media only screen and max-width px in-article-vertical-video float none padding-left px in-article-vertical-video connatix video caption width px significant tnvbNcaMHUrl margin-bottom px padding px px background D text-align center font-weight bold color fff border-radius px connatix video caption margin-bottom px margin-top font-size px color font-weight text-align left display none This page contains a video which is being blocked by your ad blocker In order to view the video you must disable your ad blocker new Image src https capi connatix com tr si token be c -c - acb-af - a ccca cid c ffed c- - c -b f- c d a cnx cmd push function cnx playerId bc b - b- e d-b b - e mediaId cbf d - bd - c- b -cbecd b d render bc a b fbc c function renderError playerApi if renderError playerApi typeof playerApi getSize function var size playerApi getSize var captionElements document querySelectorAll connatix video caption var captionElementsArray captionElements captionElementsArray forEach el if el size el style width size width px el style display block Washington Spirit prepares to defend DC in NWSL semifinals After conquering the National Women s Soccer League quarterfinals Nov in a penalty kick shootout the Washington Spirit prepare to play their third semifinal match in five years on Saturday However the NWSL company is not alone The No seeded Spirit will be at home in front of its Rowdy Audi supporters at D C s Audi Field when they take on the Portland Thorns on Saturday Players and coaches say it s that sponsorship from those in the stadium and around the region that is providing the proper motivation heading into the semifinals I can t sleep unfortunately because I m so anxious for the encounter midfielder Croix Bethune mentioned Association executives released the match is sold out marking Washington s sixth sell-out of the year Fans looking to snag a last-minute ticket will need to use TicketMaster s reseller site or another third-party vendor The match will be broadcast on CBS giving Washington a national spotlight in its third semifinal match in five years The expansion started in when the Spirit moved to Audi Field in Southwest D C full time Since then the Spirit has attempted to charm itself within the D C area through region events while building a winning club Head coach Adri n Gonz lez reported the Spirit s roster represents the city s makeup filled with diversity He added the players try to channel that aid and give it back to the fans with their plays and spend time with supporters during the postgame I think it s crucial to have that connection and we can see the power that we have when we play at home Gonz lez noted The connection that we are having I think that s an extra push and obviously we are so thankful for that As the Donald Trump administration s law enforcement surge began in the District Spirit fans chanted Free D C as a sign of protest The club responded becoming the only D C -area professional sports group to address the growth stating it stands by the city As your neighbors we walk beside you Related stories Kingsbury saves two shots in shootout Spirit beats Racing to advance to playoff semifinals Washington Spirit motivated to make deep playoff run after long NWSL season Washington Spirit supporters to continue chanting Free DC despite end of federal surge For Bethune the Spirit represents more than a organization looking to win a soccer title With everything going on we re just trying to be the light for the city she reported Since being drafted to Washington last year midfielder Hal Hershfelt stated D C has become a second home Hershfelt credits the fans and the Spirit for making her feel assured to grow as a competitor Even though I m not from here and literally have no past connection I m like I love D C Just because I feel so proud to play in front of them every weekend and it s awesome Hershfelt stated If Washington wins it would be the second professional D C -based sports unit to compete in a championship contest this year next to the UFL s DC Defenders When requested what it would mean to accomplish the feat Gonz lez called it a huge privilege It means a lot not just for us but for D C Bethune reported We re the Washington Spirit for a reason so we re putting on for our city Source