Washington Spirit win home opener, DC draw, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. Sorry for the late post, but I am literally walking into my apartment door after traveling home from the Concacaf Nations League Finals. It was long but fun Sunday and that meant a very early wake up call to travel home. Here’s some of the main stories from the weekend:
Rookie goals help Washington Spirit defeat Bay FC 2-1 (DP)
The rooks got it done! Great to see the Spirit win in their home opener!
Detroit City best Loudoun United, 2-1, in 2024 home opener (DCFC)
Loudoun United drops one on the road to Detroit City. Detroit will come to Loudoun for the rematch in just about 6 weeks.
DC United remains unbeaten on the road after its 3rd straight road draw, this time in St. Louis. Jared Stroud assisted on a Christian Benteke goal in his first game back to face his old club.
Kings of Concacaf, USA lift Nations League trophy for third time (SSFC)
What a weekend in Dallas! The USMNT drop another Dos a Cero on Mexico and win the Concacaf Nations League trophy for the 3rd straight time. The greatest soccer tournament in the world to me!!
From Paris to the world – football’s hottest talent factory (BBC)
A look at how Paris became one of the world’s centers of world class soccer talent.
Vinícius in tears over racism: ‘I just want to play football’ (ESPN)
Vinicius Jr. spoke eloquently and emotionally on how repeated acts of racism against him has lessened his desire to play soccer.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, y’all.
You’d think I’d go straight for the United or the USMNT win, I’m gonna address the Vinicius Jr. thing. I’ve literally seen arguments online that he needs to take the racist abuse because trying to get under someone’s skin is “part of the game.”
There’s not enough arsenic in the world for these people.
Anyway, I found the USMNT game to be a much better performance, glad to see the US can get going for Mexico still. Mexico lacks any sort of cutting edge, it’s sorta pathetic to see how far their attacking potency has decreased. That said, it took individual brilliance far more than any intentional setup to give us the win. On the other hand, losing would have been bad, so winning is good.
I’m not impressed by Berhalter as coach or Marsch as an option, but I’m starting to wonder what kind of prospect for the coaching position Lesesne might be in a few years. I know fans would prefer a more big name pick, but I’m quite impressed so far. I personally have never been a tremendous fan of Redbull ethos in soccer, but I like the way he does it, and has shown flexibility between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-5-2 while maintaining pressure. I doubt Klich and Benteke are the DPs he would have selected for the system either, but while they’re here, he’s putting them to work.
I certainly hope Troy is successful here for a number of seasons, but it’s something I’m already thinking about
He’s not necessarily a RB guy anyway. He’s worked his way up the US pyramid and happened to get top-level experience with them. Something the US should applaud.
Maybe he wouldn’t have picked our current DPs, but I’d say they fit their roles quite well. No telling how long Klich can sustain his current pace, so that’s one concern about having older PL-tested guys.
I’ve said this elsewhere, when I say Redbull ethos, I’m not talking about NJ.
They said RB not NYRB, I think you misread the context.
Nah in my head it was linked to his stint in Jersey. I do think “high energy transition soccer” doesn’t have to be RB ball though.
Rookie Bethune’s 95th minute Buzzard Point winner and rookie Hershfelt’s Buzzard Point equalizer highlight Spirit 2-1 over Bay FC. The tally to date:
Buzzard Points (home goals): Bethune, Hershfelt
Talones (home assists): Hatch, Rodman
I would’ve bet my house that this game was gonna be a loss for DC. I continue to be impressed with what Lesesne and Co. have put together. I truly think this team could be really dangerous if all the puzzle pieces click together.
Im wondering what moves, if any, they make in the summer window. Maybe some trades as well? Been impressed by all the new guys brought in this season.
Looking to see if/how Pirani grows into the team and what spaces he occupies. If he can’t hold onto a starting spot then a quality winger would be a good option.
Yow scored as the U-23 team tied France. I certainly hope we have a sell on clause for him.
Paredes started and went 60 as well.
Wow, just saw Yow and Cowell’s goals, very impressive stuff- although that right side of the French defense will be disappointed in themselves
Sorry the delayed game report for Old Glory DC vs. San Diego Legion.
On a cloudy, windy, and cool Saturday afternoon Old Glory DC hosted the San Diego Legion in an East vs West clash between teams expected to make the playoffs. The wind would have a definite affect on both teams. Old Glory DC had 11 handling errors while San Diego only had 6 and those handling errors definitely helped cost OGDC the game.
Right from the kickoff OGDC mishandled the initial reception and were guilty of a knock-on penalty. That gave San Diego a scrum inside OGDC’s half. A kicking game ensued after OGDC managed to turn it over. However, Old Glory’s John Rizzo would fail to handle a high ball from the Legion’s Lincoln McClutchie and knocked it on. That gave San Diego a scrum inside the DC 22 meter line. The Legion advanced down the field working through the phases. Old Glory’s defense seemed to be bending, but not breaking. However, McClutchie slipped through a half gap after freezing OGDC defenders with a fake grubber kick and off loaded to Tiaan Loots who dotted the ball down for a try. McClutchie would then convert the try giving San Diego a 7-0 lead after 5 minutes of play.
A few minutes later, it looked like the Legion were on the verge of scoring again. This time the Old Glory’s defense bent, but did not break and William Talataina eventually forced a turnover. DC then worked their way up the field and into Legion territory. On a San Diego penalty, OGDC tried to go with a quick tap restart that was stopped by the ref. Old Glory’s Jason Robertson elected to go for a penalty kick goal instead. Robertson banged it through the uprights and above the cross bar bringing the score to 7-3 in favor of the Legion after 18 minutes of play.
The game would be back and forth between the two sides until the first half hydration break. Play resumed with an DC controlled scrum after a knock-on by San Diego. Old Glory utilized that platform to again start making their way up the pitch. After some more back and forth play and a series of penalties against both sides, San Diego was guilty of a scrum penalty and Robertson again elected to kick for points. Robertson again put it through the uprights utilizing the wind at his back and the ball went barley over the cross bar. That left the score at 7-6 with San Diego still in the lead after 27 minutes of play.
Continuing to use the wind at their backs as an advantage in the kicking game, Old Glory were again advancing up the field. Several times Old Glory had penalties well within Robertson’s range, but decided to quick tap instead. Those set plays well not immediately effective did enough to suck in the Legion Defense. Robertson found John Rizzo with a wide pass who dotted it down in the corner on the far side of the field in the final minute of regulation in the 1st half. From a difficult angle Robertson attempted to convert the try, but the wind pushed it wide. At half time Old Glory had the lead 11-7.
Going into the wind would create a lot of problems for Old Glory DC offense in the second half. The effect of the wind along with other handling errors and penalties time and again stalled out attacks. That resulted in OGDC being shut out in the second half.
The second half opened as a box kicking match between the two sides once again. Unfortunately for OGDC, one of their kicks didn’t make it to touch and San Diego used their reception to start an attack. It looked like the OGDC defense was holding firm, but a cross field pass caught Old Glory unprepared and San Diego punched it in the corner. TMO called for review as it appeared the long cross field pass may have travelled forward and thus been a penalty. On review, the pass was determined to have travelled backwards and the try was confirmed. From almost the same acute angle that Jason Robertson had failed to convert from in the first half for Old Glory, McClutchie would miss as well for San Diego. After 7 minutes in the second half, and 47 minutes overall, San Diego had retaken the lead 12-11.
Play would continue to be back and forth until shortly after the second half hydration break. Old Glory’s #18, for the match, Cali Martinez was ruled by the ref to have cynically played the ball with his foot and was shown a yellow card. Old Glory was now down a man for the next 10 minutes starting in the 63′. That yellow was shown already deep inside DC’s defensive 22m line. San Diego put the free kick into touch and got a lineout about 5 meters out. A line out from 5 meters out based on MLR statistics over the season is where most tries originate. That held true here as missing a member of the forward pack, Old Glory could not stop the oncoming train of San Diego’s maul off the lineout. Legion Hooker Hugh Roach got the ball from the back of the maul after throwing in the lineout and held on as they bullied their way into the try zone and he dotted the ball down. From a less acute angle San Diego’s Lincoln McClutchie missed another conversion attempt. After 65 minutes of play San Diego was now in the driver’s seat for good at 17-11.
A couple minutes later, 2 Old Glory players collided with each other attempting to field the same high ball off a box kick and knocked it on. That resulted in a free kick to the Legion, which they put into touch for a good attacking platform with a lineout at the 22 meter line. Old Glory stopped that maul and San Diego played through the phases. The defense held firm and Old Glory forced San Diego into touch turning the ball over and getting a lineout. Off the lineout OGDC would move further towards midfield, but turned the ball over on yet another knock-on call. San Diego forced OGDC into a scrum penalty. Rather than electing for a 2nd scrum San Diego elected to kick for points with the wind at their backs. McClutchie scored the penalty kick goal extending the Legion lead to 20-11.
On the following kickoff the man advantage ended and Cali Martinez returned from the sin bin. OGDC went on the attack and had a nice grubber kick, but in attempting to pick it up and keep going OGDC were guilty of another knock-on. On the ensuring scrum, OGDC were guilty of a scrum penalty and San Diego cleared their defensive zone with a free kick to touch and a lineout.
Ball handling issues continued for both teams as attacks for both sides were stymied. As full time neared, San Diego was driving deep into DC’s defensive zone again. A penalty against Old Glory allowed San Diego to set up another lineout 5 meters out. The rolling maul off the lineout again couldn’t be stopped by OGDC and San Diego dotted it down as time expired for their bonus point try. Then McClutchie converted it giving us the final score of 27-11 in favor of San Diego.
Next week Old Glory travels to Charlotte to take on the new expansion team Anthem Carolina. Anthem has yet to win a game this season losing a shootout with Dallas this past weekend. Anthem Carolina is owned by US Rugby and World Rugby and have mostly young American players in an effort to develop American talent. Both World Rugby and US Rugby want the US back into the next Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 as the US hosts the one after that in 2031.
https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2024/03/23/san-diego-takes-bonus-point-road-win-over-dc/