On this edition of District of Sports, DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris joins The Washington Times' George Gerbo to take us though his whirlwind year — from being named interim coach just a week before the season started last March, to leading the Defenders to their first UFL Championship, how he manages his role in Washington with also being the offensive coordinator at Tennessee State, and how the Defenders' 25 returning players set them up nicely for a chance at repeating this spring.

The Defenders season begins March 28 at St. Louis, with the home opener at Audi Field two weeks later on April 11, one of five games in the District this spring.

Tennis isn't just a sport — it can also be a vehicle to change lives and leave a lasting impact.

Just ask Stacey Allaster. The chief executive of professional tennis at the USTA and U.S. Open tournament director is a lifer in the sport. Even though she didn't play it at the highest level, she's led it from those same heights, earning her this year's USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation's Tennis Creates Impact Award.

Allaster will receive the award at the Tennis Creates Gala, Dec. 6 at the Salamander Washington D.C., the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation's signature fundraising event.

On this edition of District of Sports, Allaster joins George Gerbo to discuss the honor, her lifetime experiences in tennis, including leading America's Grand Slam through a global pandemic and elevating it to heights, as well the surging state of the sport after the emergences of stars such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka.

The Washington Spirit secured the No. 2 seed in the National Women's Soccer League playoffs and are seeking a title after falling in the championship game last year, but face some questions after injuries and losing their final two matches of the regular season.

On this edition of District of Sports, NWSL This Week podcast host Michael Minnich joins George Gerbo to breakdown the challenges facing the Spirit, including the health of U.S. Women's National Team star Trinity Rodman, as well as a look at the upheval among Audi Field's main tenant, D.C. United, which recently fired its general manager and is on its seventh different coach since 2022.