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The Washington Spirit, along with the rest of the NWSL, announced their home opener for the 2016 season. The Spirit will host the Boston Breakers on April 16th at the Maryland Soccerplex. If 2015 form is any indicator, it's a good chance for the Spirit to get off to a good start. The Spirit finished the season in 4th place with 30 points, while the Breakers struggled all year long and finished the 20-game season with half as many points.
Get ready to Break ground on the new season and #PackthePlex! you on April 16th, #SpiritFam! pic.twitter.com/TdIXxN6zmA
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) February 17, 2016
The wave of announcements also confirmed what is likely the Spirit's first road game of 2016, as they'll be in New Jersey for Sky Blue FC's home opener on April 24th.
Very pleased to announce we will kick off our 2016 home schedule on Sun, April 24th, hosting @WashSpirit! #WeAreNJ pic.twitter.com/oldppKuZFQ
— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) February 17, 2016
This is also a pretty favorable game based on last year's records, as Sky Blue finished with just 22 points last season. That total saw them finish 8th in a league with 9 teams (the NWSL will have 10 teams this year after adding the Orlando Pride).
Five days later, the Spirit will be the guests for another home opener, as they'll travel to Rochester to take on the Western New York Flash. You might start to sense a pattern here: The Flash finished 7th in the NWSL last season on 23 points.
Ghostbusters: coming to a stadium in #roc on April 29. pic.twitter.com/PiLNwF4L2W
— WNY Flash (@WNYFlash) February 17, 2016
The announcement follows previous word that the Spirit will be playing some big-time college soccer programs at the Soccerplex in preseason friendlies.
So basically:
— DC Spirit Crew (@DCSpiritCrew) February 17, 2016
March 19th - UVA
March 26th- PSU
April 2nd - UNC
April 9th- Duke
April 16- Boston Breakers
April 24th @ SBFC
April 29th @ WNY