USMNT Gold Cup expectations, Santos’s free kick up for GOTW, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Tuesday, everyone! We got an actual thunderstorm in DC last night, which always improves my mood. Sorry to all the poor pets out there, like my cat Lance, who feel the opposite. At least it was a short one!
Miracle double save sees Tullis-Joyce lead Man Utd to FA Cup final (Pro Soccer Wire)
Make her GK 1 already!
Leicy Santos’s free kick goal was nominated for Goal of the Week. Vote for her, or the competition if you insist, on Twitter or Instagram. The NWSL has added some new weekly categories this year, like Player and Assist of the Week, but they’ve wrong-headedly opted not to nominate any Spirit players for those this week.
USL Championship Power Rankings – Week 6 (USL Championship)
On the subject of disrespect, the 5W-0D-1L Loudoun United are still just in fourth in the USL Championship’s power rankings. Why shouldn’t overachieving xG be celebrated?
A Golden summer is vital for USMNT’s progress (SSFC)
Donald Wine II on why the USMNT needs to perform well at this year’s Gold Cup.
In case you missed this one over the weekend, Brad Stuver caught a mouse on the field in Austin’s game against Vancouver. Based on the video it looks like they might have even stopped play for this?
Late addition because I failed to check Washington Post before hitting “Publish”:
D.C. United’s Kristian Fletcher to return from Nottingham Forest loan (Washington Post $)
Hopefully this helps stop the slide a bit.
Finally, some info on our one mid-week match: Loudoun’s third round in the U.S. Open Cup.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United vs. Louisville City FC | Tue., Apr. 15th at 7:00 p.m. ET | Louisville, KY | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
Some of our fellow Commentariat posted that Fletcher is returning to DC from Nottingham Forest. Goff’s piece doesn’t say much other than he should be eligible to play for us again once his transfer certificate clears (if done before the window closes). It may not be a real transfer, but it’s surely a boost for the team even if it’s a bummer for him.
How did I miss this! I’ll add the link.
Stuver: cat-like reflexes?
Just in case Mayor Rusk sees this: I’m heading out to Albuquerque in a little less than a month. It’s my first time there! I’ll be working at a conference that my company is hosting, so I won’t have a ton of time, but I’d love to know some sights and restaurants to try and hit. If it’s evening stuff, and close-ish to downtown (the convention center), that’s a plus. Thanks!
Brendan
I’m delighted that you’re going to Albuquerque.
First, if you haven’t booked your hotel (or can change), you ought to stay at the Hotel Andaluz (125 Second Street NW) right downtown and catty corner to the Convention Center across the Civic Plaza. It was built in 1939 by Conrad Hilton, a New Mexico native and one of his first hotels. (He honeymooned with Zsa Zsa Gabor there). If the corner coffee shop is still there (I haven’t been in the hotel known as the Plaza in my day since its latest remodeling), but that coffee shop was the police center of New Mexico from the days of “Boss” Clyde Tingley down to my day. It’s worth a visit even if you don’t stay there.
The Andaluz is one of our conference hotels. Our events manager is making the hotel arrangements, so I may end up there, but I think it also might be in the Clyde (named after Mr. Tingley). I’ll check out the coffee shop.
Second, a walk-in visit to the KiMo Theater is a must (5th and Central NW). It was built in 1927 by a crafty Italian American named Oreste Baccechi but billed as “America’s first Indian Theater.” Its interior and exterior decor is fantastic (if a little jarring with Indian-style swastikas (sp) around the auditorium eaves). while I was mayor, the city bought it as a performing arts center and undertook a basic renovation to make it usable (air conditioning, fire code compliance, better bathrooms).
Current Mayor Tim Keller honored me in February by naming the foyer after me. (I had been led to believe that only the orchestra pit would bear a plaque in my honor.) after its renovation I sang in the chorus of the Opera Southwest in the KiMo.
Definitely as a walk-in, tell the stars that Mayor Rusk asked that you be given a full tour.
Third, if you have time, take an early evening trip up the Sandia Peak Tramway to the Crest Restaurant. While I was mayor, the city initiated a process to buy all the land over which the aerial tramway passes (the 8,000 acre Elena Gallegos grant) for $25 million. We swapped it to the federal government and, to my knowledge, Albuquerque is the only big city in America where, when you step across the city limits, you step into a National Wilderness
Be alert that at 10,600 feet, one scotch on the rocks does the work of two.
Fourth, a visit to Old Town (est. 1706) is always worthwhile (though very touristy). Take one of several buses along Central to Old Town. Under Mayor Keller all bus rides are now free. He recently (also in February) honored me by naming ABQRides bus barn the Mayor David Rusk Transit Facility for my strong advocacy of public transit. (For four years I rode the bus to and from City Hall daily).
The San Francisco de Nero church in Old Town has a tumultuous history. When I’m back in DC, if you call me (202) 364-2455, I’ll tell you some war stories about the church.
Fifth, If you get the soccer itch, take in a New Mexico United match at Isotopes Park. Unlike our DC United, New Mexico United is third in USL West, but only one point out of first with a game in hand. NM United consistently leads the USL in attendance (11,000+; maximum 15,000).
Years ago our son Gregory played for United’s distant predecessor, the New Mexico Chiles, and I did bilingual play by play broadcasts of Chiles’ homes for Univision.
Finally, regarding restaurants, you can’t go wrong in practically any New Mexican food restaurant. A classic in my day was the Sanitary Tortilla Factory at 423 Second SW. It closed in 2004; its space is now occupied by an art gallery (Downtown Art spaces was another initiative of my mayoralty; ABQ actually has a livelier contemporary art scene than much-renowned Santa Fe). However, I just saw a reference to a Sanitary Tortilla Factory restaurant opening on Central Avenue downtown. Another classic is Duran’s Pharmacy restaurant on Central halfway to Old Town. A third is the Frontier Restaurant on Central across from the University of New Mexico. Don’t forget that all bus rides are free and very frequent along Central Avenue.
I know that you’ll enjoy your visit to the Duke City and hope that other members of the Commentariat benefit from this extended travelogue. I don’t have any alternative from Buenos Aires.
Heavy lifting David! That was all very interesting!
I have checked the schedule for NMU, and sadly they won’t be playing in town while I’m there.
That’s San Francisco de Neri. Darn spellcheck.
Brendan
When is your convention in Albuquerque? Name of the organization? Participants expected?
May 14-16, put on by the Association of Children’s Museums. Probably around 900-1,000 attendees.
Many thanks.
Brendan
I alerted Mayor Keller’s office to your convention, describing you as a good soccer friend, if he was going to give welcoming remarks.
His office has thanked me and sent a form to be filled out by your organization if you’d like a welcome.
Please respond to me with your email and I’ll forward it to you.
I checked our program, and we already have a welcome letter from Mayor Keller. (We also have one from the governor.) Thank you though for taking that step!
Happy to do so. Enjoy your conference.
Loudoun falls 2-1 to Louisville FC and is out of the Open Cup. Louisville scored 2x in the first half hour and Loudoun attempted a late come back surge with Aboukoura scoring in the 90th minute. Loudoun had 15 shots and 5 on target while Louisville had 11 shots with 5 on target. Loudoun also enjoyed 64% of the possession and completed 508 passes to Louisville’s 275.
That’s a bummer… was hoping for DCU vs LU match here in DC…
Yeah, that LU “possession” on the first Louisville goal was very DC United. What a gaffe……
I fear this is my fault for watching the first half after not watching the previous matches. I tried to reverse their luck by turning the game off at halftime, but clearly it was too late.
https://awfulannouncing.com/mls/games-linear-tv-fc-dallas-rewind-apple.html
Maybe get the games on 2-3 day tape delay air on masn or monumental?
9 years ago today we had a Black and Red United tailgate in lot 8 at RFK for a DCU vs Toronto game.
Lot 8 still exists…..”Tradition” does not….
Sigh……
Wish there’d been some room in the footprint or nearby to create a space for tailgating/pregaming and that they’d called it lot 8.
https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-eerste-divisie-dutch-side-sc-cambuur-honour-canadian-wwii-liberators-with-special-kit/Em6eiNEL/
I saw that last week and forgot to share it.
So Maurer just reported us as one of four contenders (paywalled) for Kevin De Bruyne’s MLS move (if he makes one). Which I would consider silly talk, except that we have his fellow international Benteke on the roster and that might be a very positive factor.
This is the kind of move (like going for Rooney) that the current ownership might actually do–spend a pile of bucks on a player with a lot of international visibility (even if they may not be a good fit). Frankly, I love De Bruyne as a player but feel he’s a terrible fit for MLS: physical league, a lot of running, and a hot summer. That said, boy we could surely use a competent #10. Benteke is not the only person who would benefit from this.
Matt Doyle takes a look at 1 stat defining each team in the league:
Eastern Conference: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/eastern-conference-one-stat-for-every-team-what-it-means
Western Conference: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/western-conference-one-stat-defining-every-team-what-it-means
This is what he has for DCU:
https://www.usltactics.com/p/usl-championship-expansion-2025-promotion-relegation