Alex Morgan retiring, Magic Johnson invests in Spirit, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
It’s Friday!! It’s been a long few days, but I’m so pleased that the nice weather has lasted and will be sticking around for the Spirit game this weekend (sadly our only local home game).
Alex Morgan announces retirement from soccer (Stars and Stripes FC)
Alex Morgan has been a champion many-times over and a leader on and off the field. It feels a little strange for me to contemplate women’s soccer without her. I wish her joy in her retirement (and with her new baby)!
Only watch her announcement video if you’re prepared to feel a little emotional.
National Soccer Hall of Fame announces final ballots for election to 2025 class (National Soccer HOF)
Finalists this year include Yael Averbuch, Maurice Edu, Carli Lloyd, . I’ll be honest, I don’t really understand why they made a separate category (veterans) for players who don’t make it in until they’ve retired more than 10 years.
Washington Spirit Midfielder Croix Bethune Named August Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally (NWSL)
In other news that made me feel things, Croix Bethune was named Rookie of the Month for the fourth straight month this year. She’s the only player to ever win twice in a row, let alone four! But watching her get the news on crutches and with so many emotions was tough.
Power FC adds the Ethiopia captain and all-time leading goal scorer in Ethiopian Premier League to their roster for the 2024/25 season (DC Power FC)
Loza Abera is the first Ethiopian-born player to be signed to U.S. division one women’s team.
Washington Spirit welcomes icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson as newest member of investor group (Washington Spirit)
Michele Kang’s big announcement turned out to be a celebrity investor! Here’s hoping Magic Johnson’s investment (and connections with the Washington Commanders) can help the Spirit find space for their planned training facility.
ESPN defends AI game coverage amid backlash (Front Office Sports)
ESPN is definitely in my bad books for this one. They’ve announced they’ll be using AI to write recaps of NWSL and Premier Lacrosse League matches. Meanwhile, I know quite a few human journalists who’d be happy to write them for a low fee!
Reyna departs USMNT camp with injury, Cowell added to roster (Pro Soccer Wire)
Reyna was diagnosed with a left groin strain, so hopefully he won’t be out too long.
Nations League: San Marino defeat Liechtenstein in first competitive win (The Guardian)
Their first competitive win in 34 years of playing! Way to go, San Marino!
Finally, continuing to prove they are a golf team in their hearts, the guys of D.C. United held a closest-to-the-pin competition to determine their fantasy football draft order.
Finally, here’s the schedule of games for the weekend. Have a good one!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United FC vs. Louisville City FC | Fri., Sep. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Louisville, KY | ESPN+ |
| Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns FC | Sat., Sep. 7 at 12:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | CBS |
| DC Power FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC | Sat., Sep. 7 at 8 p.m. ET | Dallas, TX | Peacock |
| D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire | Sat., Sep. 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET | Chicago, IL | Apple TV |
I love how the Spirit does stuff like that–do videos that are cute and funny (I’m thinking specifically of the one involve Croix Bethune and Casey Krueger).
I get Alex Morgan is retiring because she’s pregnant. But this does put San Diego behind the eight-ball I think. Isn’t it too late for them to add an international signing? Obviously, Morgan should do what she feels is best for her. But I’m a bit surprised she didn’t say “I’m pregnant, going to sit out the rest of the year, beyond that–we’ll see” and maybe later make a decision. But to each their own.
As for Gio Reyna, fabulous talent but I don’t think the USMNT can afford to count on him. He’s like finding a $20 bill in your pants you didn’t know was there. He’s hurt too often to be someone the team can rely on.
And using AI to generate journalistic content is bullish*t, absolute bullish*t. I was pissed when SI started doing this. There are so many examples of AI generating factually inaccurate information that was easily confirmed as false.
US is really in a bind with two of their best players constantly injured. I’m hopeful that Reyna can eventually find steady, healthy rhythm, given that Pulisic has been better in recent years. Adams I’m less sure of, and he’s been the piece we’ve missed more when he’s out.
Gio’s parents are coming for you…..
BTW, I’m going to plant this rumor here. If Zach Ertz (with the Commanders) makes it through the year OK (he hasn’t the past two years) and is offered an extension, the Spirit should make a run at bringing Julie Ertz back–at least at the club level.
The US plays Japan tomorrow morning at 6:05 AM on Peacock in their final Pacific Nations Cup group game. Japan is surprisingly the 2nd most played team in men’s rugby by the US after Canada. The US and Japan are already both through to the PNC Semifinals its just a question of seeding. The winner will face Samoa while the loser will face Fiji in the other semifinal match. Japan is the favored team especially on 2 weeks of rest while the US played last Saturday night in LA against Canada then immediately hopped on their plane for Japan.
https://www.florugby.com/articles/12809389-japan-vs-usa-in-a-high-stakes-rugby-clash-in-the-pacific-nations-cup
https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-mens-eagles-land-in-tokyo-for-second-round-of-asahi-dry-pacific-nations-cup-202495
Also I’ve been off next year’s (2025) Pacific Nations Cup will serve as the US’s primary opportunity to qualify for RWC 2027. The top 3 from the 2025 PNC minus Japan and Fiji who are already qualified will go to Australia 2027.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/925934/qualification-process-confirmed-for-expanded-mens-rugby-world-cup-2027-in-australia
The USA Eagles fell to the Japan Brave Blossoms this morning 41-24. They will face Fiji in the semifinal round.
Lots to remark on, but strangely, I’m first drawn by the Power FC (still hate the name) signing of Loza Alberta, who I admit not having a lot of knowledge of as a player, but who clearly has a lot of experience with the Ethiopian national team.
There are a lot of Ethiopians in the region, this could be a very smart signing in terms of increasing the fanbase.
Let the record show that I typed out her name correctly, and just saw the lame autocorrect
Liechtenstein has fallen!!!!
Nein!!!!
Canouse is off of the injury report! DC might actually have a defensive midfielder available this week!
Woohoo! Not that I think he can go 90+, but so friggin happy he’s back in the fold