Record-setting MLS opening weekend, Spirit kit leaks, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Tuesday, everyone! I distracted myself from stressful news by going to the D.C. United game this weekend. I found the experience… frustrating. Had a fun time, though! And I do think they have a good chance to improve quite a bit over the season, at least in terms of cohesion. Anyway, let’s get into the news.
First up, a fun stat that this MLS opening weekend beat the record by five goals:
Fans are eagerly anticipating Washington Spirit’s new kit on the heels of a statement that additional color(s) would be added to last year’s yellow as the primary. We’ve seen some dark green warm-up tops that had my interest, but I’m afraid they may have gone with something a little more neon.
Washington Spirit announces 2025 theme nights at Audi Field (Washington Spirit)
While we’re still waiting on an official jersey announcement, the Spirit did announce theme nights for the upcoming season.
Loudoun United did announce new kits for the upcoming season, but they’re just the same ones from last year?
FanDuel’s sportsbook at DC’s Audi Field closes after 4 years in operation (WTOP)
I’ll be honest: I don’t think I even know where in the stadium this sportsbook was.
Team of the Matchday: Who shined brightest on MLS is Back weekend? (MLS)
Despite an iffy performance from the Black-and-Red overall, goalscorer Boris Enow made Team of the Matchday.
Opinion: MLS should discipline Lionel Messi after he put his hand on opposing coach (USA Today)
Looks like Messi was a little heated after this weekend’s match. After earning a yellow for a post-match argument with the ref, he put his hand on the back of an opposing coach’s neck and, to my eye, squeezed it a bit. Does this merit more discipline?
That’s all I’ve got for now. Have a good week!
Congrats to Enow. If I recall correctly, his first match last year he got red carded. So it’s nice for him to start his season off on the right foot sort of.
Michelle is entitled to her favorite colors. But please stop imposing it on the team–I’m just not a big fan of the yellow. I did go quite fond of the black on black unis though.
DCU had the lowest opening attendance in MLS. Weather was indeed a partial factor. But I’m betting the Spirit average more fans regular season than DCU does. I nope that humiliates the ownership and they invest more in the team.
Kind of doubtful on the latter point (that DCU will be shamed into being relevant). Engaging with new fans seems like the last thing they want to do. It’s going to take Mackay and Lesesne performing a miracle with this team to bring more people in. We had an MVP finalist and can’t be bothered to show how proud we are of it.
“No one looks good in yellow…..”
-Katherine Hepburn
MLS punish Messi…you must be joking…he’s their current golden goose.
Seems like a perfect opportunity for one of those fines that they just forget to collect. They get to pretend like they’ve done something, and nothing significant from an on the field perspective ever happens.
Darth Garber has fined the coach for using his neck to hurts Messi’s hand…..
The sportsbook was just inside the main gate, across from the club shop, through a door and up some stairs. It only really was noticeable when they had non-game activities like meet the team day, because they’d have a gated corridor for people to come and go to the sportsbook without interacting with the event.
I wonder if they will go for another sportsbook or if they will rebrand it into yet another ‘premium experience’ type of seating area. Blue Halo lounge part 2, or whatever.
This management can’t help but trip and trip and trip over themselves.
The sportsbook was closed during all games, so i think the only time I saw it operating was during a few non-game events at the stadium. Always seemed a bit of an odd set up. By contrast, the sportsbook at Nats Park has an external entrance and is open all the time.
Odd, DC United? Take that back!!!!
Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez fined for violating the “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” rule vs. NYCFC
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44013464/lionel-messi-fined-grabbing-neck-nycfc-coach
J Sam Jones drops DCU 2 places to 26th after week 1 in his Power Rankings.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/power-rankings-are-san-diego-fc-chucky-lozano-for-real