Happy Wednesday, folks! You’re here for the Kicks, so let’s just get to the Kicks, shall we?
Croix Bethune’s goal against Gotham is a sign that she (and all her skills) has fully arrived (The DP): The Spirit are exciting this year! 4 wins and 1 loss see the Spirit 1 point behind Kansas City for 1st place in the NWSL.
NWSL Weekend Take-Off: Racing Louisville break through, Orlando Pride stay hot (Pro Soccer Wire): Jason recaps the rest of the NWSL weekend, reminding us all that this league is exciting and worth your attention.
Takeaways from Loudoun United’s 1-0 loss to Louisville (The DP): As for Loudoun United, they’re sitting at 2W-1D-3L and are in the middle of the table. As Ryan here points out though, the team just played a respectable match against one of the leaders in the Eastern Conference after having endured a wild congested schedule that included a 120-minute USOC match.
Power Rankings: Vancouver Whitecaps, Austin FC win rivalry showdowns (MLS): I am pleased to inform you that NY Red Bulls are currently not at the top of these rankings.
Olivier Giroud to be the next European star in MLS as AC Milan star secures Stateside summer move to LAFC (Goal.com): Major League Soccer is about to receive an upgrade in the hair department.
U.S. Women’s National Team will play Olympic send-off match, presented by Coca-Cola on July 16 in Washington, D.C. against Costa Rica (US Soccer): National teams belong in the nation’s capital.
If you like wrecks in NASCAR, then last weekend’s Talladega finish was right up your alley.
I’ll be introducing two friends to NASCAR this coming weekend in Dover, Delaware. It’s not that far from the D.C. area, so if you’re really bored this Sunday, come find me at the track! Until then, get kicking in the comments!
(Long intake) I think Giroud will be an appreciably more clinical finisher than Benteke, with a more nuanced touch as well. However, I think he will fade energy wise in matches if over utilized, and may lack some of the durability we’ve valued in the Belgian international. He’s also significantly older, so none of this would be a surprise.
For all of Benteke’s skills, and the high amount of goals he’s scored so far, he’ll never be accused of being “clinical.” In fact, last week, of all the players at the top of the Golden Boot race, he was the only one that was actually underperforming his expected goals. Everyone else was on a hot streak or getting lucky, but Benteke actually should have scored more often than he actually was. Which is pretty incredible.
Yeah, he’s a very dedicated pro, and at times pulls off some impressive stuff, but maybe his superpower is scowling but never sulking, at least for DC. Giroud is similarly strong minded, but whether he’s able to go as many minutes without totally running out of gas long term is a doubt
Yeah, in terms of durability, Benteke is a ROCK. Apart from the couple games he missed where he tweaked his groin in Portland warmups, he rarely ever misses a game, and typically he’s playing all 90 minutes. I was pretty dubious when we signed him in 2022, especially with how he looked in that 9 game run to close the year, but he’s turned out to be everything you’d want in a DP.
Klich has similarly been incredibly durable, though he does get his card accumulations.
Also, I really recommend the experience of seeing the USWNT in action in DC; even the warmups were mind blowing when I went maybe a year or so ago. That said, it’s definitely a “treat yourself” experience, eye watering ticket prices for the privilege, especially compared to Spirit games, as I recall
See if there is an open practice. I managed to catch one a decade ago–definitely worth it.
Oh, good call, that would be awesome!
It’s always great to read an article by Black-and-Red United alum Jason Anderson. Always an impressive analyst and an excellent writer.
Oh, btw, I know some are already overloaded on the podcast front, but if you want to listen to one that really dives into women’s soccer, including the NWSL, USWNT, and some European coverage, the recently minted Women’s Game with Sam Mewis is a delight. It’s under the Men in Blazers media company, but is definitely its own thing. I am really happy for Sam, and she provides charming and upbeat commentary with some amazing guests from the world she covers. Check it out
I had planned to take a day trip to Dover just for the hell of it on my birthday. I made a list of all the state capitals that I’d been to, and Dover was the closest that I have not been to (trips to see United take on Minnesota, Austin, or Nashville would also check off some for me!). I didn’t have any plans there, but just seeing what was what.
It turned out that my wife was still on spring break, and that my parents ended up coming out, so I spent my birthday with my family instead of alone in Delaware. But one of these days…