Bethune is rookie of the month again, Dambrot on the LeBron shout-out, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! I’ve got plenty of links for you today as we all get ready for a big DC soccer weekend. Are any of you going to the USMNT game? I was stubbornly unwilling to make the trip to Landover.
Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune named May’s NWSL Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally (Washington Spirit)
Croix Bethune is now the first player in NWSL history to be named Rookie of the Month twice in a row! She really is something special.
Bethune’s not the only local player getting recognized this week, Loudoun United’s Robby Dambrot won Goal of the Week yesterday AND went on CBS Sports Golazo to talk about his experience of having that goal publicly hyped by LeBron James.
Rounding out the list of accolades, Loudoun goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux has been nominated for Player of the Month.
Vincent settles into latest Hounds roles (Riverhounds)
DCU alumnus Rob Vincent is flourishing in his new role as an assistant coach for USL Championship’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Loudoun United sign Ethiopian international Surafel Dagnachew Mengestu through 2025 (Loudoun United)
I believe this deal was rumored as far back as February, which is interesting. Mengetsu previously played for the Ethiopian Premier League and has scored 24 goals for his country’s National Team.
MLS clears New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing (Hudson River Blue)
Cushing had been accused by Toronto FC’s head coach of striking a player during a match between the two teams. MLS also investigated the brawl that broke out upon their most recent match but will not be issuing new discipline.
USA vs. Colombia, 2024 Friendly: Scouting Colombia (SSFC)
To help you all prepare for the USMNT game at Commanders Field this weekend, take a look at the competition.
Jamaica always has good kits, and this year is no exception. Is it Adidas, or do they just have good national colors? Either way, I’m jealous.
B.C. soccer fan sues over alleged Lionel Messi ‘bait and switch’ (CBC)
Next time someone tells you Americans are more litigious than the rest of the world, show them this.
Two brothers, raised in Germany, reunite with the USMNT (Washington Post)
A profile of Malik and Timmy Tillman, brothers who are both with the USMNT for their DC camp.
Maryland looks into stadium sites for D.C. United minor league affiliate (Washington Business Journal)
Paywalled, but I can see they’re planning to build a 7,500-seat venue.
Euro 2024: England omit Grealish, Maguire from new-look squad (ESPN)
Some big names missing from England’s latest roster. I’m always interested in a shake-up, though.
Finally, our schedule for the weekend. D.C. United are off this weekend, and with the Defenders’ season finally over, Audi Field will also be getting a break. Hopefully, the grass will be looking shiny and new by next weekend.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United vs. Las Vegas Lights FC | Fri., June 7 at 6:45 p.m. ET | Leesburg, VA | ESPN+ |
| Annapolis Blues vs. Alexandria Rough Diamonds | Fri., June 7 at 7 p.m. ET | Annapolis, MD | – |
| DMV Elite vs. FC Frederick | Sat., June 8 at 7 p.m. ET | Bladensburg, MD | – |
| Old Glory DC vs. New England Free Jacks | Sat., June 8 at 7 p.m. ET | Boyds, MD | MNMT |
| Washington Spirit vs. Utah Royals | Sat., June 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Sandy, UT | NWSL+ |
| Virginia Dream vs. Grove Soccer United | Sat., June 8 at 8:30 p.m. ET | Falls Church, VA | – |
Have a good weekend!
Bethune is a folk hero
I miss being able to turn comments green from B&RU. This comment needs to be green darn it!
And Annie, you’re not the only one who saw that the game was at Commander’s Field and said a big ol “nope” to that. I’ll enjoy watching it on TV, and hope to snag some tix to a certain round of 16 game that’s supposed to be held in Philly on the 4th of July in 2026. Who in the world is FIFA hoping to slot into that game if they make it out of the group, I wonder?? 😉
My response to pretty much anything at FedEx/Commander’s Field is “Oh Hell No”…the US Men’s Eagles got butchered by the All Blacks there a couple years ago. They play Scotland at Buzzard Point on July 12.
Agreed, the Reggae Boys have some fine kit there. The Green and Gold–those are GMU colors! And the hummingbird–that’s a unique look!
Way to go Croix! And I still miss Staab and Sanchez. Bummed that Hal didn’t get a sniff of time during the past two friendlies for the USWNT.
It still amuses the hell out of me that this article on the league site: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/june-international-window-which-mls-players-were-called-up-x7306 , still shows as Herrera somehow being called up by Finland.
My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who works for FIFA said he put in one time change.
Well, my uncle’s girlfriend’s former roommate who had a classmate who had an aunt who worked at the USSF said that she saw the paperwork and Herrera (with Sergino Dest out) has put in his paperwork for a two-time switch to the US and will be debuting for Berhalter and Co. in the Copa.
Wow….the USMNT is being torn apart by Columbia…Berhalter needs to be gone.
Yeah.