Washington Spirit Home Opener Moved From Segra Field To Texas

LEESBURG, VA — On Wednesday, May 26, the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League were scheduled to play their first home game of the 2021 regular season at Segra Field in Leesburg. Now, the match has been moved to Houston, Texas due to issues with the stadium.

The team was originally scheduled to host games at Segra Field for the league's preseason Challenge Cup tournament, but the games were moved due to continued construction at Segra Field. The Spirit's Challenge Cup matches were held at D.C. United's Audi Field.

In a statement, Spirit managing partner Steve Baldwin said, "Segra Field is not compliant with NWSL stadium requirements." The decision to move Wednesday's match was issued in a letter by NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird.

"We asked DC United if we could hold the May 26 game at Audi Field, an open date for the venue, and they said no," Baldwin wrote in a letter to disappointed fans. "So last night Commissioner Baird made the decision to move the game to Houston."

D.C. United's next game at Audi Field is scheduled for Saturday, June 19. The next public event at Audi Field is a Washington Spirit match on Thursday, June 6.

D.C. United has not said why they refused to allow the Washington Spirit to use their stadium this week.

Segra Field, which can host up to 5,000 fans, is also owned and operated by D.C. United. The venue is the home stadium for the second-tier soccer team Loudoun United, and the rugby union team Old Glory D.C. The Washington Spirit have also held games at the stadium in the past.

The stadium opened in 2019, and used portable locker room modules for players and portable toilets for fans. The locker room modules did not previously have showers.

"The Washington Spirit will accept nothing less than world class facilities for players and fans," Baldwin wrote. "And we apologize for the burden these circumstances have caused for Spirit Nation, our players, and staff."

The Washington Spirit are scheduled to return to Segra Field for a game against the Chicago Red Stars on July 2.