Spirit Sign New Player, USMNT Coverage, FIFA’s Club WC is Struggling, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Hello, everyone, we’re back around for Wednesday. Let’s try to shake the grim of modern events and the work week with some soccer news, starting with:
Our very own Andre has the scoop on an interesting signing who, remarkably, is the first Italian to enter the NWSL. It seems hard to believe that that is the case, given the diversity of the league. That signing, Sofia Cantore, appears to be an offensive player capable of multiple positions with a history of success in her homeland. Check it out, if you haven’t already!
https://www.npr.org/2025/06/17/nx-s1-5426629/usmnt-fifa-world-cup-us-soccer-men-struggles
Sorta a grab bag here from NPR about the various threads the USMNT is coping with, but I’d say worth a look. Reminder the USMNT resumes Gold Cup play against Saudi Arabia at 9:15 PM on Thursday.
The good news is that Borussia Dortmund’s management seems high on yet another American prospect! The bad news is that Gio Reyna is still there, and in eternal limbo. Sigh.
Let’s all raise a glass (orange juice, if it’s morning, perhaps) to Sofia Huerta’s engagement to her agent. Did I know anything about this till I saw this article? No, but I hope it’s a happy union.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45518025/angel-city-fc-shirts-supporting-immigrant-community
A powerful show of support for a marginalized community going through it from an NWSL club.
FIFA misjudged and mismanaged the Club World Cup in the states, and ticket sales show it. Read the possible explanations here.
Finally,
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45520158/mls-power-rankings-union-win-keep-pressure-whitecaps
DC United soars to 23 (snark) in the most recent ESPN power ratings, seemingly cuz we lost by less than before and some other teams are aggressively bad.
That’s all I got! Go ahead and expand on the news links in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
And of course this breaks after posting time. The summer USWNT roster is announced. Mckeown is on it, as is (intriguingly) Bethune. Lavelle also makes a return.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/06/hayes-names-25-player-uswnt-training-camp-roster-matches-republic-of-ireland-and-canada
Without seeing her play, I think Cantore is a good signing. She seems versatile. And with Santos out, the team has needed more of an A-mid talent and sometimes forward.
I am amazed that DCU wasn’t put behind Salt Lake…..weird.
Sadly, I have no real interest in the club world cup. I am oversaturated.
Thanks for the Wednesday kicks!
I have watched some of the games. I think Seattle did themselves proud for that first game. But you can really tell players, especially European based players, are super tired and shouldn’t be playing. I’m hoping a team like River actually wins it all.
Boca!
(I am kidding. Wouldn’t that be a sick final?)
Or Boca, just meant not a European club. But I think River has the better chance of the two of them. Apparently Riquelme has not done a very good job at the helm of the Club. But I wouldn’t want a Boca-River match, it could easily get out of hand and some fans may get shipped to El Salvador on some made up charges or the like.
Both anecdotally and from reporting, South Americans are far and away the most enthusiastic supporters at the tournament. And yeah, it’s a powder keg that they’re traveling in numbers to the US in this political climate.
It was already unruly in Miami during Copa America.
“Sorry, that’s my seat…..”
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/canadas-jesse-marsch-under-investigation-berating-gold-cup-officials
“Marsch was not present on the sideline at BC Place in Vancouver due to his continued suspension,” and Canada won 6-0. So what, did he run into a ref in the locker rooms and say, “thanks for all the good calls, a**hole”? Did they overhear him going on a rant in the suite? This is very weird.
No, this is CONCACAF. Total bereft of corruption and double-speak.
I am abusive to refs (kidding, sort of), but I don’t get to watch from a suite as punishment…..typical DC United…..