[1] The Spirit made its first playoff appearance in five years on November 7, 2021, taking down the defending league champion North Carolina Courage in a quarterfinal match at Audi Field.

On November 14, Washington took down two-seed OL Reign in Tacoma to advance to the 2021 NWSL Championship Game in Louisville, KY.

The following Saturday, November 20, the Spirit earned its first league title with a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars after extra time.

The Challenge Cup was held behind closed doors at the neutral venue of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.

The Spirit reached the Quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup, and finished in third place in the Fall Series.