Happy Tuesday, fam!
The past 24 hours have been full of awesome things and a few abhorrent things, to the point we still have whiplash this morning. Let’s unpack them together. What do you say?
The NWSL Acts Campaign is back! Rose Room Collective is raising funds for the DC XI (Eleven) Project throughout the Challenge Cup. DC XI is working hard to break down the “pay-to-play” model that keeps kids out of soccer. Join Rose Room Collective in raising funds for this incredible organization.
Learn more about DC XI Project’s mission on NPR.
Danita Johnson was named to Sports Business Journal’s Forty under 40 Class of 2023, a group of exceptional sports business executives being honored for their career achievements.
The White House hosted the annual Easter Egg Roll with attendees from the Washington Spirit, D.C. United, and our awesome soccer community.
If you have peacefully been away from media over the weekend and didn’t see yesterday’s Freedom Kicks – RBNY player Dante Vanzeir used a racist slur during Saturday’s match against Quakes player Jeremy Ebobisse. Vanzeir’s “statement” and Red Bulls coach Gerhard Struber’s statement leave a lot to be desired from our end.
We’re really sick and tired of these racist “incidents’ that leave players and supporters alike feeling unwelcome, and hope MLS takes swift action on par with the severity of these actions.
We have to say, we certainly agree with Jillian here:
Let’s make soccer a welcoming place for everyone, as it should be.
Featured image courtesy of D.C. United, Hannah Wagner
Stretched out on a lawn chair under the shade of a giant ombu in an estancia (ranch) near San Antonio de Areco in the Argentine pampas, I feel very far from the world of fútbol.
Except that everyone—native or tourist— seems to be wearing a Messi shirt (national team, not Barca and never PSG).
Asado criollo y actos folclóricos todavía.
MLS Writer’s Bureau Power Rankings keep us at 26th: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/power-rankings-lafc-remain-elite-la-galaxy-slide-before-el-trafico
While the ESPNFC Writer’s Bureau Power Rankings drop us from 20th to 23rd:
https://www.espn.com/soccer/mls/story/4921345/mls-power-rankings-seattle-lafc-have-their-rivals-worried
Former DCU Academy player and current Portland Timbers player Eryk Williamson is out for the season with a torn ACL: https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4921882/usa-portland-timbers-midfielder-eryk-williamson-out-season-torn-acl
So is Brad Guzan. MCL. (a couple weeks out)