U.S. Soccer makes 2027 Women’s World Cup joint bid with Mexico, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Good morning, everyone. I was at the USMNT vs. Mexico match last night and I write this while traveling cross country via red eye with a layover. So, with that, here’s the quick version of what took place yesterday:
USA and Mexico will submit a joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup (SSFC)
The United States and Mexico will joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which would occur just a year after the two nations join with Canada to host the 2026 Men’s World Cup. It would be the 3rd time the USA has hosted, but the first time since 2003.
2023 All-State Continental Clasico: USA 1-1 Mexico – the USMNT needed more effulgence (SSFC)
The USMNT didn’t play well, but still found a way to get a result against Mexico. Jesus Ferreira’s late equalizer helped the USMNT to a 1-1 draw, keeping its unbeaten streak against their archrivals alive.
Hey Spirits! episode: It’s like an egg or an avocado (with Anna Heilferty) (DP)
Lock into the latest Hey Spirits! episode! They get Anna Heilferty on the show, and it’s always a must listen!
Rebekah Vardy trademarks the phrase Wagatha Christie (BBC)
Rebekah Vardy has trademarked “Wagatha Christie,” which is just a wild story by itself.
Man City ease past Bayern Munich to set up Real Madrid semifinal (ESPN)
The Champions League semifinals are set on the men’s side: Manchester City will take on Real Madrid, while it’s a Milan derby in the other matchup between Inter Milan and AC Milan.
And hey, before I go, all of us should be preparing for this summer’s Women’s World Cup. Well, here’s a sneak peak at some items that will be officially launched later today…buy early, buy often. 🙂
That’s it for now…let me get some sleep.
The “Wagatha Christie” link is broken above currently (0859 EDT, 4/20/2023). Here’s a functional link: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65320724
I didn’t think I would attempt the USMNT game, but I did. Vasquez is good at headers, but maybe the most incomplete forward we’ve tried since Dike- he has no dynamism or ability to create for himself. Long had a couple of bad errors, but he’s aging out quickly, so, eh. Starting Yedlin and Dest as your two fullbacks is risky, risky business, that’s like 1/4 tsp of defensive tenacity between them. Dest was heavily involved in the goal, but only when he cut inside to be basically an 8/10 playmaker, which might be his real position, anyway- he certainly never stopped a cross all game.
Morris will get more looks, Cowell is capable of making good decisions, and Ferreira did well enough to be well better than Vasquez.
Mexico might not get an easier chance to break that winless run against us, but my sympathy is limited.
I know Johnson was hung out to dry on the Mexico goal by Kellyn Acosta’s horrid back pass to Long, but I don’t see him in our top 3. I still think Hamid in his current form is better than Johnson. We’re lucky a lot of Mexico’s best chances either hit the framework or were went just wide.
Especially since we were told for years that Johnson was good with the ball with his feet… yeah, no
It is staggering to me that not one MLS team wants Hamid on the roster, even as a backup. Glad he is in a good situation but still think he has a lot of good years left in the top division
On the game overall, think it is time to turn the page and give more of the kids a substantial runout in this kind of game. Never have gotten the point of putting a player in for 3 minutes… unless to waste time, but why waste time in a friendly
So I talked with a DCU ticket rep yesterday afternoon trying to get me to come out to game. I’m sorry with an 11 month old (as of today) a 7:30 PM game is out of the question. If there were games at like 1:30/4:30 in the afternoon they might be doable. I’d love to make a game, but its basically out the question unless my wife decides she has it or gets help form relatives. Its one epic downside of the AppleTV deal.
It’s also a problem with the metro, you need to be able to MOVE to make it to my train to where I live before the absurd weekend metro closing.
Doesn’t Metro run til 1:00 am on Saturdays?
Yeah — that’s a strange comment. Those Metro closing times aren’t even telling the story. The system doesn’t shut down at those times, 12:00 weekdays, and 1:00 on Fri & Sat — they’re more a guide to get on a train. Last trains will leave from Metro Center close to the hour, but will arrive in the suburbs much later.
Extra-inning baseball games and/or long rain delays are a different story. I’ve had to leave Nats games early. I do seem to remember one match at Audi where the notice about last trains was posted — maybe it was a playoff game that went through extra time and PKs? Or a long weather delay….
I’ve caught the last train to the end of the blue line much earlier than 1, maybe it’s changed, but I was almost caught once. 🤷♂️
Congratulations on the baby! Our littlest just turned five months old, so I, too, have yet to go to a game this year. My wife can take the kids to her mom’s house, but I’d be getting home at close to 11:00, so she’d have to do two bedtimes by herself. Maybe I can swing it one of these days, but yeah, an afternoon game would have been nice.
From Buenos Aires: (my third attempt to post this message.) Donald, I continue to be amazed at your commitment to craft a breakfast hour Freedom Kicks come Hell or red eye special