Spirit surpass 150K in attendance, USMNT aiming for QFs, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! I am looking forward to this weekend both for some time to relax and because I am going to HFStival tomorrow! Sure, I probably overpaid for my tickets, but I think it will be a fun time. I’m definitely going to have to pick and choose what band I see, though, because 10 hours at Nats Park is not happening.
Washington Spirit joins elite company, surpasses 150,000 in 2024 attendance (Washington Spirit)
This is the first time the Spirit have ever hit this attendance number, and they’re the first non-West Coast NWSL team to do so. Looks like the increased investment and advertising are paying off.
Christian Benteke: My game in my words (The Athletic $)
A slightly late addition to the kicks: Christian Benteke talks about finding joy in D.C. and breaks down some of the biggest moments of his career.
Luis Suárez or Christian Benteke? Inside the MLS Golden Boot race (MLS)
Bradley Wright-Phillips predicts Benteke will lose the Golden Boot race to Luis Suárez, despite the former’s two-goal lead. Hurtful!
NWSL MVP Tracker 4.0: Can Rodman catch Banda and Chawinga? (ESPN)
An end-of-season awards prediction that is slightly more positive toward our local hero, although Jeff Kassouf still has Trinity Rodman behind the higher-scoring Chawinga and Banda.
Could players really go on strike over fixture congestion? (Pro Soccer Wire)
After Rodri said, “Yes, I think we are close to that. If it keeps this way we will have no other option. It is something that worries us,” earlier this week, a look at why players might go on strike and what that would look like. (The answer to the latter question is essentially a big mystery at this point.)
New USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino reveals target finish for 2026 World Cup (CBS Sports)
The target is quarterfinals, but Poch also says the team “need[s] to believe that we can win.” Kind of mixed messaging.
Brooklyn Football Club announces temporary home venue, home opener set for September 25 at Columbia University (Brooklyn FC)
No head coach hired and an unplayable field surface weeks after the USL Super League season began? Brooklyn FC is officially making DC Power look prepared.
Finally, your schedule of games for the weekend. Enjoy it!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current | Fri., Sep. 20 at 8 p.m. ET | Kansas City, MO | Prime Video |
| Loudoun United FC vs. New Mexico United | Sun., Sep. 22 at 4 p.m. ET | Albuquerque, NM | ESPN+ |
| DC Power FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC | Sun., Sep. 22 at 5 p.m. ET | Spokane, WA | Peacock |
| D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union | Sun., Sep. 22 at 6:15 p.m. ET | Chester, PA | FS1, Apple Tv |
https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mls-committed-u-s-open-cup-says-commissioner-don-garber/bltd629491faad137e2
That’s a quote from Don Garber in the article. I call bs after the fiasco that was this year’s MLS commitment to the U.S. Open Cup.
That Athletic article/IV with Benteke is truly superb. It makes me proud and happy that this guy is on the team I follow with passion.
Suarez wear Miami, so MLS will ensure that he wins the golden boot. Benteke just happens to accumulate a few red cards thanks to awesome MLS refereeing hack jobs, Suarez just happens to be fouled in the penalty area once or twice a game…..
Darth Garber is watching…..
Did anybody watch NER vs. the Crown today? If so, should Caleb Porter be as aggrieved as DCU fans are about MLS officiating?