Berman criticized for heat response, Clark officially joins D.C. United, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! It’s been a long week for me, and I am very much forward to relaxing and maybe even spending some time outdoors this weekend. To that end, please wish me luck on writing my Spirit articles quickly (or from the front porch, as the case may be).
D.C. United Acquires Midfielder Caden Clark from CF Montréal in Exchange for $700,000 (D.C. United)
The deal is finally official, and we can judge all the little details to try to figure out if it’s a good one or not. Clark reportedly arrived in DC earlier this week, but it’s not clear if he’ll be available for this weekend’s match or not.
D.C. United Acquires $100,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money from Nashville SC (D.C. United)
D.C. got one more move in before the end of the transfer window: selling a 2025 international slot for $100,000. This’ll really boost their grade, I’m sure.
NWSL commissioner threatened to fine KC Current over weather delay: Sources (The Athletic $)
This is a very bad look for NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, who reportedly threatened Kansas City Current with fines for asking for an additional heat check before their afternoon game against Orlando this weekend. Even more frustrating, the league apparently ignored concerns about the same match that the NWSLPA raised in January.
Every Blade of Grass: On Heat, Turf, and Protecting Your Players (Fearless SC)
Sylvia Bullock wrote about the lack of concern for player safety shown by the NWSL in their decisions around that match, as well as to continue play after Savy King’s heart stopped on the field earlier this year.
To prepare for the start of the Gainbridge Super League’s second season, one reddit user put together a preview with information on all the teams featuring past and current Washington Spirit players:
Gainbridge Super League Power Rankings – Preseason (Gainbridge SL)
Sadly, Power FC did not make the league’s preseason power rankings, which only include the top four teams for reasons unclear to me.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acted within tournament rules in cellphone incident after red card, Leagues Cup confirms (Goal.com)
As some of you predicted, Javier Mascherano will not be disciplined for remaining in the stadium and giving coaching instructions via cell phone after being sent off in Miami’s Leagues Cup match.
Tim Ream: My game in my words (The Athletic $)
In this edition of the Athletic series, Tim Ream breaks down some of the biggest moments in his career and also the 2025 Gold Cup.
Gotham FC begins title defense with win over Rayadas (Concacaf)
Sharing the results of this match between the Spirit’s biggest competitors in the Concacaf W Champions Cup: Gotham and Rayadas. Gotham’s 2-1 win means the Spirit are in first place after matchday one, based on goal differential.
In soccer-related news, the WNBA’s Paige Bueckers scored 44 points in one game on Wednesday night, setting a rookie record and virtually guaranteeing a Rookie of the Year win. Surely it can’t be a coincidence that before that game, she arrived at the arena wearing Washington Spirit merch!
Finally, the schedule of events for the weekend. DC Power FC is back, and it’s going to be a very busy Saturday!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC | Sat., Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. ET | San Francisco, CA | CBS |
| DC Power FC vs. Sporting JAX | Sat., Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. ET | Jacksonville, FL | Peacock |
| D.C. United vs. Inter Miami | Sat., Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Apple TV |
| Loudoun United FC vs. Charleston Battery | Sat., Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Mount Pleasant, SC | ESPN+ |
Seems Leagues Cup wants to also commit to the bit that MLS created: Comical levels of subservience to the Miami cash cow.
Like, just fine him 5,000 dollars, he used to make that much in a few hours training for Barca. Not even a slap on the wrist and letting that be the story now, you’re a fucking farce, not a competition.
Taylor Twellman shared a snippet of the Leagues Cup rules on Twitter, and they explicitly outlaw what Mascherano did. And those rules are literally on the MLS website. So…yeah, we’re just blatantly disregarding enforcing the rules now
I mean, of course it’s not what the rules say, every competition needs consequences for managers that get red cards, the consequences of not having consequences… will have consequences.
Darth Garber is truly pleased.
(laughingstock isn’t harsh enough)
Well, the fact that MLS did NOT install a new cell tower in Inter’s stadium as well as penalize them with another $1 million in cap space shows that Garber has decided to come down hard on Inter-Messi.
Actually they had Elon Musk park a Starlink over Inter Miami and it follows the team in real time everywhere they go.
My completely uninformed take is that Clark will play this weekend, probably as a sub. DC’s been so disorganized and directionless (and I mean on the field though it obviously applies upstairs) that giving him minutes isn’t exactly going to ruin anything.
Glad for multiple reasons that Messi won’t be playing. Perhaps we’ll be the worst-attended Miami game all year and it’ll continue sending the signal that this product is not worth spending time and money on as it stands. Maybe we’ll also get the jump on a team with next to no humility.
Oh, man, if we beat Miami, David Beckham would be like:
Solid reference.
Inconceivable
My pretty uninformed opinion is that Clark is a good passer, but not that much of a crosser. So, we’ll see how that plays with Benteke. If we can get those two, Pirani, and Peglow back on the field, we could have some dynamism.
Games missing from the list:
Women’s Rugby World Cup: USA vs England at the Stadium of Light (opening match) Today at 2:30 PM EDT on Paramount+
The US will probably lose this game and are heavily favored to get smoked, so will need to defeat Australia and/or Samoa to advance out of their pool. They’ve never not advanced out of their pool at the WRWC.
Pacific Nations Cup: USA vs Canada Tonight at 9:00 PM EDT on Paramount+
The US must finish as one of the top 3 outside Fiji and Japan to auto qualify for the 2027 Rugby World cup in Australia. Otherwise they return to the last chance tourney where they where knocked out by Portugal last time around after a 16-16 draw on points differential.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/22/eagles-men-seek-mens-rugby-world-cup-qualification-amid-uncertainty-over-us-future
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/22/england-usa-ilona-maher-womens-rugby-world-cup-opener
Ahh! I forgot the Rugby World Cup was starting! May have to renew my P+ subscription.
So at half its 28-7 to England. The US defense has kept England from scoring more, but right at the death the English defense held up a US attack in the try zone keeping the US forward pack from dotting down to bring it within 16 (unconverted try).
Final score 69-7. The Red Roses of England came roaring out of the half and never looked back and put us to the sword.
Well shit. 34-20 to Canada. We now need a result against Japan next week.
If you missed my long comment thread on yesterday’s Freedom Kicks, yesterday evening was the Major League Rugby College Draft. Old Glory’s Draft Picks are as follows
It appears that DCU has traded a 2025 international slot to Nashville in exchange for a $100k in 2025 GAM…so I think that leaves us with no remaining international slots and $100k more GAM to somehow use this year….
According to those that know better, more likely GAM for next year. We weren’t using the slot currently, somehow Nashville has plans late in season. It returns in January.
My only concern here is the team itself said that the 100k was specifically 2025 GAM…so not sure if that can actually be carried over to next year
That was my concern, too. But Jason and Ryan seem pretty confident
Ok yeah I went back and looked at Jason’s assessment of it. I’ll trust his judgement on that
Yet another FO masterpiece…………………..
Hey, y’all, in case y’all were worried that Cantore would need time to bed in with the other players:
https://www.tiktok.com/@sandymaciver/video/7540785885340618006?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7368861370274252319
Hah!
NWSL leadership has shown a real callous streak toward player and fan safety. It’s clear new leadership is needed at the top. However, cynically I think league owners will play it out until the next distraction occurs and fan focus drifts. I think if there is going to be any real change, supporters groups will likely need to lead the charge and keep attention on this issue. It will be an uphill battle though.
I think the fanbases have a real shot. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a concern for player welfare and level of vocality for justice from any sports base.
I wholeheartedly agree. My one concern is there is just so much going on right now. Can fans keep the pressure on in the midst of it all? It’s not a critique on fans but a comment on just how exhausting things are.
If anything, I think they’re jonesing for a righteous fight they can win in a short amount of time. Overturning all of society? Withering struggle. Getting some corporate types to listen to customers they need who are pissed? Doable.
We have now found out Barbra Banda suffered a season-ending injury in that match. That could keep the fan outrage going quite a bit longer.
Mascherano says that Messi won’t be traveling. I kind of respect it at this point.
Just curious, what element do you respect? I’d guess player welfare, but wanted to know
I must admit, my own thoughts are a bit more cynical. They waited till the day before a match when resale will be tough to announce something they knew a while ago, that wasn’t really in doubt by those who pay attention.
It’s just another drumstick hit on my tolerance for MLS and DCU
Not to blow my own horn, but it was obvious from the season’s kickoff that Messi would not suit up on August 23, 2025.
How many teams in MLS have not seen Messi on their field?
We might be one of the very few who haven’t seen him on the field but oh well… let’s try to ruin their party… ours is pretty much done at this point…
The bit about just avoiding DC for his entire tenure in MLS.
Ha, that’s good
You gotta respect commitment to the bit
Absolutely. Good on him for coming out a day ahead of time and saying it outright. I’m very glad to see that he won’t be gracing us with his presence this weekend.
They could at least force him to bartend in the AV Club to provide the ultimate soccer fan experience.
Speaking of, the club section with be serving Argentinian steaks, now I can really it…..
My girlfriend is wearing my Messi shirt and dark sunglasses and bringing our service basset hound, because she wants to broadcast that she will never see Messi.
Well played.
Just the near constant drama around Messi makes me appreciate the professionalism that both Rooney and Benteke have displayed.
Agreed. Benteke has been entirely professional. Rooney had his occasional drama (Dulles…), but he played his butt off and lit up Buzzard Point.
He did quit and force a move back to England halfway through his contract. But when he did play, he played hard.
Fair. I give him a bit of a pass for that because of the family issues and the fact it gave us Wagatha Christie. I was also thinking of stuff like flying coach and accepting a roommate on travel.
Good news: Caden Clark is officially on DC’s roster and is allowed to play this weekend.
Bad news: he’s injured and officially will not be playing
Classic
Vintage DC United
He’s one of us already.
Lol, lmao even
Welcome to Caden Clark, who, I guess we can hope returns to his form when he first broke through. Of his 11 goals as a first division pro, more than half (6) came in his first 16 matches with NYRB (Oct/Nov ’20 and Apr/May ’21).
Meanwhile, our opponents tomorrow have added a 19 yr old Argentinean attacker, who played for Mascherano with the national U20s and had 6 goals with Newell’s Old Boys. Imagine having a front office that gives a poop and a coach that can make the team a go-to destination for real talent.
Both Benteke and Enow are out on yellow card accumulation…which makes it a wash I guess. I very much believe we will get at least 1 red either from a second yellow or DOGSO. Lots of great actors on Miami.
So we won’t be scoring tomorrow.
Not unless Weiler can pick Peglow up by the ankles and shake a few out
Peglow is apparently questionable with a knee injury. Own goal is going to be our best option.
Spirit v Bay FC on CBS TV at 4 pm
Correction Spirit is tomorrow. I get so confused lying in my hospital bed
Sorry about the disappointment, something to look forward to
First look at the field at Oracle Park for tomorrow. To Talonesque’s point from yesterday, I’m curious how that area over the infield will play.
https://bsky.app/profile/kevinvnguyen.bsky.social/post/3lwzbnhkacr2l
I’d imagine there’s gonna be a difference in ball play, how much will be revealed tomorrow. At least from a distance, looks a bit better than RFK used to look. 🤷♂️
DC Lineup:
Barraza; Schnegg, Rowles, Bartlett, Antley; Peltola, Servania; Pirani, Herrera, Kijima; Hopkins (captain)
Interesting lineup. Hopkins up top should be fun
Couple of decent chances 10 minutes in, but just wide
Hopkins scores!!
Great assist by Peltola, amazing first touch by Hopkins
Yellow for Herrera after he wins the ball
Stroud and Murrel in for Pirani and Kijima
And now Miami equalizes
DCU was unlucky on the Murrell offsides.
Was he offside? From my vantage near midfield, I thought he might be, but they showed one replay (a different angle), and it appeared he was on.
I hate the term moral victory but I will allow it in this case. Hopkins, Kijima, Murrell and Peltola played well I thought. I enjoyed this game more than I have any other in a long while.
Peltola has been so much better since he came back from playing with Finland. He and Servania seem to pair well too. Interested to see what Clark can do too