Spirit Hispanic Heritage Collaboration, Bethune Drops Dimes, Rooney’s Struggles, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Hello everyone, welcome to my favorite time of year. There is something about the fall when the air is cool, teams are battling for playoff position in MLS and MLB, and the Premier League is starting to round into form that puts me at ease. There is plenty to discuss, so let’s get to it.
Washington Spirit Partner with LAYC To Design Hispanic Heritage Month T-Shirts (Washington Spirit)
The Spirit work with participants in the Latin American Youth Center’s summer program to design the special heritage shirts which will be sold at Sunday’s match. The Spirit’s effort to engage with different portions of the DC community is impressive. It could definitely serve as a model for other teams in the area.
If you were ever curious about a world class player’s decision making process Croix Bethune and Expected Own Goals have you covered.
Rooney: Alcohol abuse nearly killed me, my wife saved my life (ESPN)
D.C. United’s former captain and manager discussed his struggles with alcohol and his wife Coleen’s impact while on former teammate Rio Ferdinand’s podcast. Most striking, Rooney highlighted avoiding seeking help because he didn’t want to be a burden on anyone.
The event, which will be held on the Prairie View A&M campus in November will feature some of the best Black high school players in the country. Players will have the chance to showcase their talent, network with coaches, scouts, and agents and take part in a day providing experiences dealing with the media and sessions highlighting nutrition and mental health, among other topics.
Donovan thinks ‘ship has sailed’ for Tessmann under Pochettino (Pro Soccer Wire)
I question this take. Given some of the USMNT’s recent results and with the pressure the US will be under to perform at home, can Pochettino leave off talent in good form, playing in Europe because of a bad run a year prior?
Jermaine Jones is one of my favorite players from the early 2010’s era USMNT. I can absolutely see him showing no mercy to the then 17 year old Jonathan Klinsmann in that training session.
US soccer is in the midst of a stadium boom, each with realistic ambitions (The Guardian)
I had no idea so many soccer specific stadiums are under construction or planned across the country.
Carabao Cup 4th round draw: Newcastle to host Tottenham (ESPN)
Other than Liverpool’s match the highlight for me in this round is Grimsby. After knocking off Manchester United, just how much longer can they keep the dream going.
I will end with the latest photos of RFK Stadium’s deconstruction. Still makes me sad.
Until next week.
I do love how Croix was able to articulate the play in a conscious, interesting way, and acknowledge that even being active in a successful play is reactive to circumstance. Feel like most athletes fail this when they’re asked to break down their plays, which is one of the media’s favorite things to inquire about.
In regards to owning a sport specific stadium. Its proven necessary in soccer and honestly I think its necessary in any sport. We see that with Major League Rugby. Houston owned its own rugby-specific stadium, and beyond losing lots of money it appears they aren’t playing in MLR next more because the ownership doesn’t agree with the direction the league leadership wants to go. The other teams all play in stadiums they don’t control and they all struggle financially.
Man do those RFK pictures hurt to see. So many good times at games and concerts in that building. Here’s to hoping that the new stadium will be special (unlike Audi or FedEx)
I wish we still somehow had the bouncing stands at Buzzard Point.
Kudos for calling our stadium Buzzard Point
New Mexico was on TV last night in USL. I hope you are healing well.
There was a period where whoever had access to the stadium bleachers was selling them individually for a few hundred dollars to fans, and some were trying to decide whether to splurge. I always advised not to, cuz it’s a piece of plastic that takes up space and is too big for a trophy, that I’d wager it would just be a painful memento.
I let go of RFK a long time ago. It was a big part of my formative years, but I acknowledge it’s gone. Making something new, even if it’s for my least favorite sport, is better than leaving it vacant and dilapidated. I’ll have memories. The physical reality is gone.
We’ll always have the Pyramids……………
In the run-up to Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2033 both being hosted in the US, World Rugby looks to bring more international test matches to the US.
The US men’s and women’s teams have both played at Buzzard Point. So maybe in 2031 and 2033 we’ll end up with Rugby World Cup and Women’s Rugby World Cup matches at the home of the black and red.
https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/world-rugby-usa-rugby-continue-countdown-to-future-world-cups/
Luis Barraza in the pre-match press conference disclosed that he’s been playing with a torn meniscus since January, and will probably have a procedure on it to clear that up in the offseason. It’s nice that he’s done so well while injured. He was also talking like he’d be back next year. So far, his contract expires at the end of this year and there hasn’t been any news about him signing a new deal. He’s done well enough to deserve one, although it’s possible that he’ll be let go and a higher caliber goalie brought in. But if he is back, hopefully he’ll be able to perform even better with a repaired mensicus.
Gosh that sucks. Perhaps it would explain some of his subpar passing – I would definitely be advocating for him to stay if that part of his game were as good as his shotstopping. Hope he recovers from the injury and gets a nice bag whether here or elsewhere.
There was a moment in recent home game, where he was really struggling, Probably should’ve come off, but they needed him. He couldn’t kick the ball for a while — defenders took the goal kicks. I thought it was a groin issue, but perhaps it was his knee.
https://metro.co.uk/2025/09/25/former-arsenal-player-billy-vigar-dies-aged-21-brain-injury-match-24263587/
Sad news out of the UK. A former Arsenal player has died at age 21. He is believed to have collided with a concrete wall while trying to keep a ball in play.
This is simply tragic