(NWSL)
***The Washington Spirit will open the National Women’s Soccer League season April 15 at Maryland SoccerPlex against the North Carolina Courage, formerly known as the Western New York Flash. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. It’s a rematch of the 2016 final, won by the Flash on penalty kicks. The full 24-game schedule is not ready for release, but the Spirit did learn that, the following weekend, it will face former captain Ali Krieger and the Orlando Pride at the new stadium in central Florida. That match will be carried by the NWSL’s new national TV partner, Lifetime.