USMNT lose, Japan qualifies for 2026 World Cup, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday, everyone! I’m looking ahead to a busy weekend, but I think it is going to be a beautiful night for some soccer tomorrow, if anyone else is going out to Buzzard Point for the Spirit’s home opener.
USMNT vs. Panama player ratings: Canaleros stun U.S. with late sucker punch (Pro Soccer Wire)
A rough game for the USMNT, they had a number of chances but very few good shots. This will be the first year they don’t win the Concacaf Nations League.
USL bets on promotion/relegation ft. Eboni Christmas of Walkin 90 (USA Soccercast)
As promised in yesterday’s comments, here’s a link to Donald’s podcast episode about promotion/relegation in the USL.
World Cup 2026: Japan become first team to qualify for tournament (ESPN)
This makes four teams qualified, including the hosts.
Washington Spirit are putting out a series of Behind the Scenes videos. The first one focused on prep for the Challenge Cup, but I think it’s really cool that they’re also spotlighting some of the staff around the team, like this one about Equipment Manager Jordan Small.
DC Power Theme Nights and Giveaways (DC Power)
Power FC have announced theme nights for the rest of their season, beginning with Kids on the Pitch this weekend. If you child (age 4-12) would be interested in getting to be on Audi Field, this could be a good opportunity.
Finally, here’s our schedule of events for the weekend:
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United FC vs. Louisville City FC | Sat., Mar. 22 at 4 p.m. ET | Louisville, KY | ESPN+ |
| Old Glory DC vs. NE Free Jacks | Sat., Mar. 22 at 5 p.m. ET | Boyds, MD | ESPN+ |
| Washington Spirit vs. Kansas City Current | Sat., Mar. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Ion |
| D.C. United vs. Orlando City | Sat., Mar. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Orlando, FL | Apple TV |
| DC Power FC vs. Brooklyn FC | Sun., Mar. 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Peacock |
Have a good weekend!
Four teams have “qualified” for the world cup? “Qualified by venue” for the USMNT…..
They simply have to do better.
Regarding Spirit video: Again, unmatched in positive production for the fan base. Equipment management is integral to any soccer operation. This is well earned recognition, and reflects well upon the decision makers at Spirit.
Amazing how DCU squanders similar and risk free opportunities on an annual basis.
Canada vs US is shaping up to be a pretty spicy affair…
In my view, we’re well teed up for Marsch to gut our team with a humiliating loss. And no, I don’t think Jesse is a better coach than Pochettino, but our morale is fragile and our momentum is negative.
Thinking about it today, this team and this manager did not cope with the loss of Antonee Robinson at all well. He’s been vital to our game in all thirds of the field, and allows others to cut inside while he maintains the width.
This was a frustrating disaster, and I have no idea what Pochettino was seeking to do in the first half with the personnel. We gave Panama an hour or more to settle in and start dreaming of an in regular time win. They also just looked more comfortable on the ball and made quicker choices and touches than we did, despite their bunkering posture.
Also, we need at least one actual playmaker on the field at all times to release Pulisic and Weah, and I’m surprised we didn’t see one.
I can’t comprehend why Reyna didn’t enter the game at some point in the second half. Pulisic may be the US best player but Reyna is its most talented. Pulisic could have use Reyna’s presence, if only as a way to open more space for him to do his job. The US sadly doesn’t have any decent forwards and when you are lacking that, then you must utilize the best creators on your team, together at the same time. That is Pulisic and Reyna. Mauricio said he was expecting to play over time and would have used Reyna and or Luna then. Whatever made him think that they were assured of playing over time? Coaches and players were significantly lacking yesterday.
He probably needed to be more aggressive and make an additional change when Richards had to be substituted. Maybe lesson learned.
I understand why Pooch was holding off on his two subs. But he should have learned something about his team at this point. While there are a bunch of players playing with good teams, the number of American players who can actually play a #10 traditional role against a compact defense can be counted on one hand. :And none of them started this match.
I’m not sure I’d say Reyna is our most talented. But Reyna and Luna were the only two players with the vision, comfort level, and ability to unlock a packed defense with a pass. Everyone else, it’s about beating someone on the dribble or hitting a thunder bastard or taking advantage of a mistake. And none of these ways are how you consistently deal with a defense in depth.
The attendance was super low yesterday…but Thursday afternoon in LA during the end of the workday…a Charlie Foxtrot on scheduling and marketing.
People keep posting this sentiment — and I’ll just note that the stands were pretty fill for the evening match. Just over 50,000. Tickets bought by Mexican fans who had no interest in getting to the stadium early to make the first half of the doubleheader. It would interesting to have seen what the crowd might have been if the USMNT had played on a different night.. Maybe miserable — but I’m betting they could’ve turned out at least 25k.Maybe that game should’ve been at one of the MLS stadia?
I feel like any game in the Southwest that involves Mexico just turns into a Mexico home game.
Nice video series–I’m looking forward to seeing more