NCAA agrees to pay athletes, USL Super League home openers, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday, everyone! We’ve got a long one kicking off today, and I hope you all have some fun activities planned. In addition to watching a Spirit game at Buzzard Point, I will be going to a cook-out and watching Furiosa. Anyone else doing anything interesting?
NCAA, Power 5 agree to deal that will let schools pay players (ESPN)
Not just soccer-related, but this is a pretty big deal. Especially as someone who went to a non-Power 5 school, I’m a little nervous about how this will impact college spots. Could be a whole new world.
USL Super League unveils home openers for inaugural season (USL Super League)
DC Power FC’s first home opener will take place on Sep. 13 against Fort Lauderdale United FC. As Jason Anderson pointed out, this will kick off a three-day series at Audi Field with both D.C. United and Washington Spirit playing at home that weekend.
Power FC of USL Super League Announce Founding Ownership Group (DC Power FC)
The new women’s team also announced more of their ownership group yesterday. In addition to Angel Reese, the group includes Nationals’ Josiah Grey, Capitols’ Hendrix LaPierre, and actress Crystal Renee Hayslett.
NWSL MVP Tracker 2.0: Rodman on the rise, but who’s No. 1? (ESPN)
Even though she’s a rookie, I think Croix Bethune has fully earned a place in this (admittedly too early) conversation. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Ouleye Sarr included.
Wayne Rooney approached over Plymouth Argyle job (The Telegraph)
Giving this report some side-eye.
Emma Hayes built a dynasty in England. Can she restore one with the USWNT? (Washington Post)
The new USWNT talks a bit about her vision for the team before heading to her first camp.
Like a lot of you, I don’t really get esports. Sharing this award nomination of D.C. United’s player for those who do!
Championship playoff final: What’s at stake in the richest game in sports as Leeds, Southampton battle (CBS Sports)
This Sunday’s game will determine which of the two teams will be promoted to the Premier League.
Slice of Spirit: Delivering world class soccer in Washington, DC (Washington Spirit)
Putting your team on local pizza boxes is certainly an interesting advertising strategy, but I’m mostly interested in how excited the players got about pizza in the reveal video:
Finally, the schedule of events for the weekend. It’s getting pretty long with the NPSL games added in. Enjoy!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Rough Diamonds vs. FC Frederick | Fri., May 24 at 7 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | – |
| Washington Spirit vs. Seattle Reign FC | Fri., May 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | MNMT, NWSL+ |
| Old Glory DC vs. Seattle Seawolves | Fri., May 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET | Tukwila, WA | MNMT |
| DMV Elite vs. Alexandria Rough Diamonds | Sat., May 25 at 7 p.m. ET | Bladensburg, MD | – |
| D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire FC | Sat., May 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Apple TV |
| Loudoun United FC vs. Orange County SC | Sat., May 25 at 10 p.m. ET | Irvine, CA | ESPN+ |
| Alexandria Reds vs. VB City FC | Sun., May 26 at 2:30 p.m. ET | Alexandria, VA | – |
| D.C. Defenders vs. Memphis Showboats | Sun., May 26 at 2:30 p.m. ET | Memphis, TN | Fox |
| FC Frederick vs. Annapolis Blues | Sun., May 26 at 7 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | – |
| Grove Soccer United vs. DMV Elite | Mon., May 27 at 7 p.m. ET | Glen Allen, VA | – |
You’re nervous over the NCAA paying athletes? That ship sailed decades ago with bribes and SEC under the table “donations.”
It’s disgusting, but the universities drove this bus off their own cliff because of their unmitigated greed. You will simply get two tiers of “college” athletics: professional and amateur. Amateurs play for the love of it, period.
On to more pleasant things: On deck, is DC United game, and maybe a committed try to watch Leeds v Southampton, then carrying a service flag in the Memorial Day parade, likely soaking in my uniform on Constitution Avenue (worth it).
I wish everyone a delightful, and reflective, Memorial Day weekend.
It’s very gross that college athletics has been making everyone but the athletes rich, but, on the other hand, I fear change! 😛
“NCAA will pay more than $2.7 billion in damages over 10 years to past and current athletes.”
That’s a lot of money — it’s 10x each year what they’re planning to set aside for revenue sharing next year. I wonder how one would get some of that payout.
I had to watch my college football team attempt to play football once or twice. I should be owed compensation!
Just watched the highlights of the last home game against the Fire. Benteke and Ku-DiPietro were pretty dominant in that one, and it would be really cool if that happened again.
Oh, and Spirit Pizza is a total win!
Leeds and Southampton… they’ll both want this bad, they’re both extremely proud clubs who view themselves as EPL caliber. Guessing there’ll be a red card
Is this game on TV? ESPN + or something?
You are correct, ESPN+
Thanks for that. I may just go grab a proper breakfast at 4 Courts or O’Sullivan’s for this one. I would think they both have ESPN+. Beats my iPad mini.
Old Glory’s trip to Seattle for tonight’s game is the first time that OGDC will visit the Seawolves in Seattle for a game.