DC United win, Spirit lose, and more: Cinco de Mayo Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday everyone. It’s Cinco de Mayo, which mean we honor Mexican culture and heritage as we remember the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. As we learn more about the holiday and its significance on Mexican-American culture, here’s the news from the weekend…
DC United welcomed Ted Ku-DiPietro back to Audi Field, but they also were able to hold on for a 2-1 win over Colorado.
Washington Spirit lose transitional battle to Angel City, 4-3 (DP)
In what was a wild match, the Spirit fell 4-3 in heartbreaking fashion to Angel City. They hope to regroup this weekend in Chicago.
Loudoun United lost on the road to Las Vegas Lights, 1-0. Look for more recap on the match from Ryan this morning.
Michele Kang-owned London City Lionesses promoted to WSL (ESPN)
Michele Kang’s team across the pond will be headed to the top flight next season. London City Lionesses won the Championship and earned promotion to the WSL for 2025-26.
The Commanders new stadium term sheet contains a provision that states that the stadium would hold women’s professional soccer. Could this mean the Spirit are thinking about potentially moving to that stadium when it opens?
Reports: McKennie agrees another Juventus contract extension (PSW)
Weston McKennie appears to have gone from not being issued a locker to getting a contract extension at Juventus. He’s been one of their best players this season.
I need an explanation for how Sporting Kansas City won this match despite these key stats:
This hit the Twitterverse over the weekend and, if true, this is very not good:
DC United academy can’t be taking these kind of steps if it wants to remain a key foundation for future club success.
2026 World Cup match ball ‘Trionda’ leaks online (PSW)
Your thoughts on what could be the new World Cup ball? Looks pretty cool to me.
Chicago Stars exploring move to Evanston (Evanston Now)
The artists formerly known as the Chicago Red Stars could be leaving Bridgeview at the end of the season for Northwestern’s stadium by the lake. With the football team slated to get into their new stadium in 2026, it would open up the opportunity for the Stars to play there.
Washington, D.C. Reportedly Set to Host 2027 NFL Draft (SI)
Not soccer related, but would obviously take place during the early part of soccer season. I went to the draft last year in my hometown of Detroit and lemme tell you…it was absolutely awesome. I’d love to have it here so I could go again, but I know I’m crazy and in the minority with that.
Enjoy the week!
The only potential silver lining to the horrific and immoral decision to start charging for DC United’s academy again- maybe Levien et al. want to take the money and go?
Cuz going would be fucking great right about now, you shits.
This is such a stain.
Had a great time attending the DC game this weekend. Very glad that my first time at Audi Field, and my fiance’s first game ever, ended up being a win.
I did come to a realization though — the last game I attended way back in 2013 was the game against Montreal. That ended up being DC’s 3rd and final win of the year. So, apologies in advance if I’ve now somehow cursed the rest of the season by attending this game
You must continue to attend games. Problem solved.
SKC won due to Own Goal scoring for LA Galaxy.
Also they have a new record in being the only team to win a game without registering a single shot either on or off target.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-make-mls-history-in-bizarre-fashion
I guess the personnel move to sell Owen Goal to the Gals was under the radar–I completely missed that. I hope that transaction doesn’t come back to bite us.
Sigh…the DCU academy has gone backwards…..
Academy is going backwards, MLS Next PRO is seemingly going nowhere. This isn’t a serious team.
It really is shocking.
I think the owners should move on. “This isn’t a serious team” speaks volumes….
Rugby Results over the weekend
Old Glory DC 28 Utah Warriors 12
Old Glory saw several first stringers return to action over the weekend.Utah is the top team in the Western conference and has the best record in the league even with the loss.Utah was coming off short rest having just played Wednesday night in a 38-31 slugfest victory over San Diego Legion.Old Glory ended a 3 game losing streak.US National Teams
Men’s Eagle 7s at the LA 7s:
USA 26 Portugal 15USA 25 Samoa 19USA 17 Kenya 12 (Golden Try: A try scored in extra time of the 2nd half that won the game)https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-mens-eagles-sevens-3-0-in-la-with-golden-tryclinch-golden-try202554Having won all 3 of their pool matches the Men’s Eagle 7s directly qualify for the new SVNS Division 2 next season and will not have to play in a regional qualifier tournament. https://www.svns.com/en/news/999470/world-rugby-unveils-evolved-svns-model
Women’s Eagle 7s at the LA 7s:
USA 21 France 5 (pool play)USA 12 Australia 33 (pool play)USA 31 Fiji 19 (pool play)USA 7 New Zealand 34 (semifinal match)USA 7 Canada 27 (3rd place match)https://eagles.rugby/news/hometeam-usa-women-finish-in-4th-at-hsbc-sevens-world-championship-202555The Women’s 7s by virtue of being in the championship bracket qualified directly for SVNS Division 1 next season. https://www.svns.com/en/news/999470/world-rugby-unveils-evolved-svns-model
Women’s Eagles 15s
USA 14 Canada 26https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-womens-eagles-fall-short-in-exciting-night-from-kansas-city-202553First round of the 2025 Pacific Four tournament with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US.Set an attendance record for a US Women’s Rugby event with an attendance of 10,518. That’s less than a thousand away from capacity at CPKC Stadium which is the home of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. Ilona Maher of Paris 2024 Summer Olympics fame received her 3rd cap with the Women’s Eagles 15s.
With the US National Team setup for rugby, the first string teams are the USA Eagles and the second string teams are the USA Falcons (formerly called USA Selects). The Falcons are typically used for uncapped matches and games against domestic rugby club teams.
Benteke makes the bench for Team of the Week:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-columbus-crew-turn-heads-san-diego-fc-rebound
The news about charging for schooling is absolute bullish*t, just unacceptable, especially for a team that has no Reserve side for young players.