D.C. United spotlight local businesses, San Diego FC plans to fight chant, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! I have a little bit of a short one for you today because the NWSL season is BACK!!! Which means I’ve been scrambling to get a Spirit season preview and match preview ready for you all. They’ll be out later today, but please enjoy these Kicks (and add your own) for now.
The D.C. United Foundation and Intentionalist launch the 2025 United For Local Businesses Campaign (D.C. United)
D.C. United are spotlighting (and offering discounts on) local businesses all season long.
Julián Álvarez UCL penalty drama could spark law change (ESPN)
Alvarez’s penalty kick was disallowed after his standing foot hit the ball before the kick, and UEFA is now interested in exploring a change to the rules for unintentional contact. Personally, I’m more interested in whether we’ll ever see any changes to reign in the stutter step approach.
San Diego FC announces plan to address discriminatory chants at Snapdragon Stadium (MLS)
San Diego FC will increase signage and security at their next home match to try to eliminate the chant.
Introducing: The Lo’eau LaBonta NWSL Goal Celebration Index (Goal Celebration Index)
I’ll be keeping an eye on this as the NWSL season progresses. We know Rodman’s good for a few incredible celebrations a year.
For more NWSL fun, we’ve started a Hey Spirits league on She Plays, and there’s still some time to form your own team if you’re interested in giving it a try. My own team selection was wildly unscientific.
Reigning WPSL Champions California Storm to compete in inaugural Brandi Chastain Cup (WPSL)
US Soccer has created a new tournament for women’s amateur teams.
Finally, here’s your schedule of events for the weekend. Have a good one!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash | Fri., Mar. 13 at 8 p.m. ET | Houston, TX | NWSL+ |
| Old Glory DC vs. Chicago Hounds | Sat., Mar. 13 at 1 p.m. ET | Bridgeview, IL | ESPN+, MNMT |
| DC Power FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC | Sat., Mar. 13 at 5 p.m. ET | Spokane, WA | Peacock |
| Loudoun United FC vs. North Carolina FC | Sat., Mar. 13 at 7 p.m. ET | Cary, NC | ESPN+ |
| D.C. United vs. CF Montreal | Sat., Mar. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Apple TV |
https://www.sandiegofc.com/news/sdfc-action-plan
To go with the link in the post, SDFC is going to use the FiFA 3 step process for all home matches.
PK are already really hard for the keeper, the stutter step makes it even worse, agree would be good to reel it in.
Yeah, I feel like coming off the line too early should also be kind of waved away.
In honor of Pi(e) Day, DC is partnering with one of those small businesses and giving away two free pizza slices at Boogy & Peel. So, if you’re in Dupont Circle today, check ’em out!
BIGGEST NEWS OF THE DAY: https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2025/03/14/washington-spirit-midfielder-croix-bethune-returns-to-active-roster/
Oh, hell yeah!
Do you think it’s possible she sees the field in some form on the 22nd? Me and my buddy were planning to go
I do think it’s possible. She’s questionable today so may not see her, but they’ll want to have a good showing in the home opener
You love to see it.
The last time DC played Montreal at home, it was March 30. That was also the last time United kept a clean sheet. It’s been almost a full calendar year.
Woof.
I guess they kept one against Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup, if you want to get technical. Still though.
In the most recent Pitch Pass episode, Roche interviewed David Schnegg. Its a fun listen. Apparently he and Peglow have a weird hybrid language that they communicate in, so that was an interesting look into how things like that work
Schnegg and Peglow did seem to have good chemistry going forward pretty quickly in their first game, so that is interesting
There’s a short out there of our new goalkeeper, and he says he likes going by “Joon.” Maybe he was just specifying his first name, but I think I’ll refer to him as Joon at this point.
Apparently Paul Arriola tore his ACL against Cruz Azul in Champions League. Poor guy certainly has injury troubles!
That is terrible luck.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44252061/nwsl-expansion-team-bos-nation-fc-new-name-boston