Washington Spirit trade Ashley Sanchez & Sam Staab, AFCON begins, and more: MLK Day Freedom Kicks
Good morning everyone, and happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Take some time out to read through some of his famous speeches and take to heart the words in his messages. If we had a million Dr. Kings, this world would be a much better place.
These Freedom Kicks are coming to you late this morning because I’m in Detroit for the weekend, where I was able to watch in person my Detroit Lions win their first playoff game since I was 9 years old. 32 years! Cannot tell you how happy I am this morning. My friends that I’m staying with also lost power on Friday and didn’t get it back until late last night, so it was a weekend in the ice cold for me. So with that, here’s some of the news from the weekend!
Washington Spirit trade Ashley Sanchez, Sam Staab, draft 6 new players (DP)
Look, A LOT happened on Friday prior to the NWSL Draft. The Washington Spirit gained the 3rd and 5th pick of the draft, and in the process, they sent Sam Staab to the Chicago Red Stars and Ashley Sanchez to the North Carolina Courage. I am NOT WELL at losing Sam and Ashley, and neither is most of the fan base. Need someone to explain this one to me.
Meanwhile, the Spirit drafted 6 players, 4 of them coming in the first 13 picks of the draft. The youth movement appears to be on, and we’ll see how they operate under Jonatan Giráldez.
Cape Verde upset Ghana with stoppage-time winner (BBC)
Africa Cup of Nations has begun, and Cape Verde has already provided the first upset of the tournament, beating Ghana 2-1. The vibes are always immaculate in AFCON.
Real Madrid’s Vinícius showed Ballon d’Or quality vs. Barcelona (ESPN)
Vini Jr.’s hat trick helped Real Madrid claim the Spanish Supercopa in the final against arch rivals Barcelona. Vini was amazing during the match, prompting many to insert him fully into the Ballon d’Or race.
Lee Kang-in turns on style for South Korea in Asian Cup defeat of Bahrain (The Guardian)
The Asian Cup also began this past weekend, and in their first match, South Korea was able to defeat Bahrain led by a Lee Kang-in brace.
Israeli Soccer Player in Turkey Suspended and Charged Over Hostages Solidarity Expression (Time)
Israeli soccer player Sagiv Jehezkel has been charged with inciting hatred after showing a solidarity message towards Israeli hostages in Gaza after scoring a goal for Antalyaspor. He’s at risk of being cut from his team as well.
I leave you with a video of MLK speaking on racism and segregation in America. It’s a long clip, but worth it to take the time today to watch and absorb.
I actually met Dr. King. It was September 1967 and I was in my fourth year as a civil rights worker with the Washington Urban League.
We were having our annual staff retreat at Airlie House in Warrenton, Virginia at the same time that the leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was meeting to plan the Poor People’s Campaign for the following spring. (The fact that both civil rights groups were meeting at Airlie House was some measure of the progress of the Civil Rights Movement.)
My boss, Sterling Tucker, took me to meet Dr. King. We shook hands and I thanked him for his inspiring leadership. He thanked me in turn for my efforts within the Civil Rights Movement. (I’m sure that he had no idea what I’d actually done but was just being diplomatic.)
The SCLC presence that really stirred the Urban League staff (at least, the female members) was a young (mid-20s) Jesse Jackson, who met with our staff and gave his patented “I am somebody” talk.
Months later, Reverend Jackson, as mayor of Resurrection City, the tent encampment on The Mall, was to name me “Mud Commissioner.”
But that’s a story for another day Americans. .
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of my six greatest
The content of one’s character is the only measure.
And congratulations, Donald. 32 years is a long time to wait between playoff wins for the gridiron Detroit Lions. I’ll bet most members of the DCU Commentariat wouldn’t be so loyal.
I too am unhappy about the trades of Staab and Sanchez. We’ll see. Congrats to all Lions fans. Last of all, good to remind people of the greatness of MLK Jr.
The US Rugby Foundation now has a grant program to help new youth and HS rugby programs with startup costs. So far its working out great.
https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/us-rugby-foundation-new-program-grant-game-changer