I am so excited because Spirit opening day is almost here!! Not even having to go into the office on a Friday can bring me down.
Washington Spirit kicks off 2023 season with enhanced match day experience (Washington Spirit)
To kick off their first full season at Audi Field, the Spirit have a slew of activities planned beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. I will definitely be arriving early to check out the Fan Fest and browse some cherry blossom merch.
Speaking of cherry blossom merch…
The Lewis O’Brien story: high praise, bad luck and a happy ending at D.C. United (The Athletic)
A profile of the Black-and-Red’s newest player.
Soccer star Ali Krieger announces retirement (CBS Sports)
Gotham FC defender and two-time World Cup champion with the USWNT Ali Krieger has announced she will retire at the end of this NWSL season. Krieger, also a former Washington Spirit player, said she hopes to help Gotham win the league Championship this year, which seems like a bit of a stretch goal to me. For those who’d like to see Krieger play in person before her retirement: Gotham play in DC on Sunday, May 28 and Friday, July 28.
Harry Kane overtakes Wayne Rooney to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer (ESPN)
Kane topped Rooney’s record of 53 international goals via a penalty kick in yesterday’s 2-1 victory over Italy in a European Championship qualifier.
NWSL players unhappy over FIFA video game likenesses and abilities (CNN)
The NWSL to FIFA 23 rollout hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as promised. Bald Kailen Sheridan is just one unfortunate example:
DC’s shoe? An oral history of the District’s obsession with New Balance (DCist)
Sneakers are sports, right? I had no idea that New Balance shoes were a DC thing, so I thought this was interesting.
Here’s this weekend’s schedule for our Audi and Segra teams:
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
| D.C. United vs. New England Revolution | Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. | Audi Field | Apple TV |
| Loudoun United FC vs. FC Tulsa | Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 p.m. | ONEOK Field | ESPN+ |
| Washington Spirit vs. OL Reign | Sunday, March 26 at 4 p.m. | Audi Field | Paramount+ |
| Old Glory DC vs. NOLA Gold | Saturday, March 25 at 3 p.m. | Segra Field | The Rugby Network |
| DC Defenders vs. Houston Roughnecks | Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. | Audi Field | ESPN2/ESPN+ |
That’s all I have for now. Hope to see some of you at Buzzard Point this weekend!
Props to Annie and all District Press editors/contributors who namecheck Buzzard Point, the true soccer gods-given name of the DCU and Spirit home pitch.
Looks like Carles Gil is out for the Revs, so that should help. Santos and Akinmboni are out for United, and Najar is still out. Williams and Fountas are questionable. If both of them can play, then that would be wonderful. If not… well, Donovan Pines may probably get his shot! Hines-Ike is still out, and Palsson is going to be away on international duty. The only other center back on the roster is Hayden Sargis. If Sargis gets playing time and Pines doesn’t, he needs to be demanding a transfer immediately.
Good stuff Annie. Love the model/merch shot–I was there myself and got a few pictures. The Cherry Blossom gear is nice–not just the jersey.
The Old Glory DC game is also televised on MASN. By the way The Rugby Network is free.
Just a small “site fix” comment. After Annie’s post showed the DCU gear shoot at the Tidal Basin, I tried to attach a couple of my own photos. And they just seem to disappear in to cyberspace despite the message I get that they uploaded.
US wins 7-1 in Grenada on a field so discolored and messy, you’d think chemical burns. Pulisic was incredibly active in the first half, with two fast assists and two more involvements from free kicks, McKennie got two goals, Pulisic did finish his play with a bad GK mistake, and Zendejas marked his cap-tied game with a filthy two touch finish with his dominant left foot. And Pepi got the opener and a second, with Aaronson getting on the scoresheet, so all in all, good momentum builder, come to us, Falorin…
Goff says that Pedro Santos has a minor knee issue and is out 2-3 weeks. Not only are we thin at CB now but I think the youngsters are going to see some major minutes in NE.