Happy Monday, everyone. It was a nice weekend of soccer, but we start with the rankings and the USWNT return to a familiar spot.
USWNT returns to #1 in FIFA world rankings (SSFC)
Back at the top! Fresh off winning gold at the Olympics, the USWNT return to #1 in the world rankings. Let’s stay there a while!
The Washington Spirit played Arsenal at Audi Field yesterday, and it was a really fun time. Arsenal ended up getting the friendly win, 2-1.
DC Power FC played in the inaugural match for the USL Super League on the road to Carolina Ascent. It was a sold out crowd in Charlotte, but DC Power ended up losing 1-0 in what was a very close match from start to finish.
Takeaways from Loudoun United’s first win in Tampa (DP)
Ryan recaps Loudoun United’s big win over the Tampa Rowdies over the weekend.
DC Power FC announces Agile Defense as jersey sponsor (DP)
DC Power will have Agile Defense as their jersey sponsor this season, but the jerseys you saw them in on Saturday are apparently not the permanent ones. The real jerseys will be unveiled before the team’s home opener on September 13th.
London City Lionesses’ owner Michele Kang: ‘This is a serious investment’ (The Guardian)
Here’s a deep dive on Michele Kang’s ownership of the London City Lionesses and how she plans to build that club into an English success story.
Ligue 1 re-ups with beIN Sports in United States through 2029 (Awful Announcing)
Ligue 1 will continue to be on beIN Sports for the next 5 seasons, so you can find PSG and any American players there.
Judge blocks ESPN, Fox, Warner sports streaming venture Venu (ESPN)
The big streaming app that was coming from ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery has been blocked by the courts, so we will see how that affects the future of the app.
Rongen returns for sequel as American Samoa head coach (Pro Soccer Wire)
Thomas Rongen is back with American Samoa! His prior stint with the team led to a documentary and movie being made about his efforts, so let’s see if he can bring the magic again.
Enjoy your Monday!
I thought DC Power got off to a good start (for a loss). It sounds like the Spirit-Arsenal friendly was entertaining. And between Kang and Jona Giraldez, the Spirit have truly become a destination club–a place that good players around the world go “I want to play for them.” Winning the Olympics too probably doesn’t hurt the image of the NWSL–so many Olympians were on NWSL teams. So kudos to the NWSL clubs starting 2 years ago saying “OK, we need to upgrade our talent, we need to become more professional, more sophisticated because America has fallen behind some other leagues and countries.”
And as far as the Spirit go, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen more Spirit advertising around the city than I have United efforts.
Sadly…that doesn’t surprise me…
me either…..
Having been at Buzzard Point for the Spirit-Arsenal match, I thought that the Spirit (missing all four USWNT Olympians) was still somewhat better than Arsenal (at full strength except for USWNT Emily Fox). We outshot them 15- 6 with 5 on-goal to 4. If Spirit hadn’t missed three, maybe four absolute sitters (the kind where a fan is already counting up the score) Spirit would have won 3-2 or 4-2. Instéad, each shot just rolled wide.
I was impressed with Santos’s ball control and Kouassi’s ability to muscle opponents off the ball. Plus good speed. But we really need Esme Morgan at center back.
And what gives re Ashley Hatch? She would have been a natural to start in that lineup. Instead, she entered in the 71st minute. Spirit must be planning to trade/release her during offseason. Our all-time scorer!
Re: Hatch, I don’t see another option. Sad for her that she got benched with a change in coaching, but the team is doing well and she’s got fewer miles on her for whatever comes next. The team will have several clubs lining up to trade for her, I’m sure.
Is she still under contract after this year, or will she be a free agent?
She signed an extension through 2026 just last year. I guess all the changes have worked out, but jeez did Krikorian change gears quickly and completely.