Martinez’s hat trick record, Rodman’s scary celly, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Hello, friends. My condolences to those of you who had a difficult weekend — the D.C. United fans in particular. Hopefully, we will find some happier things to discuss today.
Team of the Matchday: Sporting KC begin new era, Josef climbs record books (MLS)
Before we completely move on from that, we must acknowledge Josef Martínez’s pretty incredible record of seven hat tricks in MLS. If only this one didn’t come against our team!
USL Championship Goal of the Week — Week 5 (USL Championship)
A Loudoun United player is up for Goal of the Week once again, but this time it’s Keegan Tingey, with a low, long-range strike. Vote for the winner at the link above.
Neymar, Memphis Depay fume as Brazil FA bans skill move (ESPN)
Is standing on the ball “a provocation to a rival”? Absolutely. But whether it “disrespects the game” and is enough of a problem to be banned is far less clear to me.
USWNT vs. Brazil 2025 April friendlies match 2: Keep the momentum going (SSFC)
Get ready for the second match in USWNT’s series against Brazil, even if you’re not sure you’ll be up for the 10:30 p.m. start.
Trinity Rodman’s goal celebration had Emma Hayes terrified (Pro Soccer Wire)
Us too! Don’t scare us like that, Trin!
For those of you who missed it, here’s (a reconstruction of) Rodman’s back injury fake-out. Definitely frightening to fans of excellent soccer everywhere.
Northern Super League and ESPN Announce Media Rights Agreement to Bring Canada’s Professional Women’s Soccer League to U.S. Viewers (NSL)
Cool that we’ll be able to watch the new Canadian women’s league here in the U.S., but the ad campaign is pretty baffling. How exactly is maple syrup like soccer?
In soccer media news: FIFA is reportedly rejecting media credential applications from people who have other jobs. Which is a problem because very few media outlets in the United States are willing to employ full-time soccer reporters. And also, having two jobs doesn’t mean you’re not a professional.
Finally, there’s just one midweek match this week, and it’s tonight in Buzzard Point. Have a good week, everyone!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Power FC vs. Carolina Ascent | Tue., Apr. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Peacock |
I’m gonna try to make the Brazil game, though I hope the whole thing is injury free as hell.
Not sure it’s worth it to me to make an account versus just buying two empanadas, but DCU is having another local business giveaway today: https://intentionalist.com/united-for-local-businesses/
And I’m here in Argentina, land that invented the empanada and has the world’s best pizza!
This is emblematic of a continuing huge blind spot for DC United. Today’s giveaway – the Colada Shop is the only business on the list that even has a single retail outlet in Maryland (1 of their 7 storefronts is in MD, in a very upscale, off the beaten path shopping center in Potomac). Most are based in DC, naturally. A couple of the businesses are based in Virginia, and others have locations there.
I don’t know whether MD businesses aren’t expressing interest, or whether the front office isn’t doing anything to make any real outreach into MD, or maybe they’re ‘trying,’ but not trying very hard. But, in general, DCU does nothing to promote the franchise in Maryland.
Yet another example of inexplicable DC United……
They still haven’t replaced Claudia Pagan. That’s got nothing to do with the soccer side of anything.
Also inexplicable…..it’s quite baffling…..
Yeah, very rarely are there any “partner bars” or anything in Maryland. And yes, I’m not sure if it’s a lack of interest on the part of the team or on the part of the businesses. But fans of the team who also live in Maryland do exist!
See above: Tampico Grill in Laurel, MD! Not a partner, but always happy to put soccer matches on the TV’s, including DCU on Apple TV/MLS Season Pass.
I used to live less than a mile away from there.
Tampico Grill in Laurel, MD is a great place to watch DCU matches.
Columbus has done a cash trade to get Daniel Gazdag from Philly. On the one hand, I’m glad that we only have to face Gazdag a maximum of one time this year. On the other… this means we’re going to get a player better than Daniel Gazdag and very soon, right? Because apparently he was available to an in-conference rival for funds that aren’t GAM (which we don’t have).
It’s probably more likely that we send Aaron Herrera to someone for lunch money later in the season than add anyone meaningful. It’s going to take an incredibly unlikely reversal of fortunes from the guys we have to save this project.
Is it still a project rather an unmitigated disaster?
https://www.goal.com/en/lists/they-are-just-a-mess-usmnt-legends-landon-donovan-and-tim-howard-express-deep-concern-over-d-c-united-s-ongoing-struggles-following-6-1-loss/blt18f5c17c1feb2f06#cse74d6fdbd86f9da8
Major League Ouch