Spirit Making Moves, A Night of Champions, A Player Voices Support for DC, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Yesterday was a busy day. The Spirit took a step forward in the Concacaf W Champions Cup and made a major deal. Champions were crowned in the US Open Cup, the Canadian Championship, and the Campeones Cup. World Cup ticket prices were revealed.
The Spirit and Gotham played to a scoreless draw before a sparse crowd in Chester in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Though it was scoreless, the match was not uneventful. Sandy MacIver made a highlight reel save on a point blank shot. The Spirit have one more match in group play.
Washington Spirit Trades Chloe Ricketts to Houston Dash (Washington Spirit)
Prior to the game, the Spirit sent Ricketts to Houston for $15,000 in transfer threshold funds. The 18 year olds’ tenure with the Dash will be short as she signed a deal with Boston and will be part of the Legacy’s inaugural team next year.
I’m Curious: People Power in Sports and A Case of the Mondays (Edition 33) (I’m Curious with Roey)
The “Free DC” fan chant is now a feature of Spirit matches, at home and away. Over the weekend, current Houston Dash and former Spirit player Anna Heilferty became the first player to take a stand and support the Free DC movement when she and a few of her teammates rocked “Free DC” t shirts after the match. Heilferty provided insight into the moment in an interview with Roey Hadar.
NWSL Playoff and Shield Clinching Scenarios – Week 23 (NWSL)
The Spirit can lock in a quaterfinal home match this weekend with a win and either a win by Bay FC or Gotham.
Takeaways from Loudoun’s West clashes and East homecoming (DP)
Ryan breaks down Loudoun’s last three games against San Antonio, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay. I whole heartedly agree with him that it doesn’t feel right to see Bill playing in the DMV for any other team.
Champions! Nashville SC win US Open Cup over Austin FC (MLS)
At this point, it seems like forever ago that Nashville bounced D.C. United from the US Open Cup. Last night claimed their first Open Cup title and first trophy in club history. Among the cup winners were former D.C. United players, Andy Najar and Joe Willis. Tonight marks Willis’s 3rd USOC win and comes 12 to the day where Willis won his first with DCU.
FOUR-PEAT: Vancouver Whitecaps retain Canadian Championship title (MLS)
The Vancouver Whitecaps booked their return to the the CONCACAF Champions League with a 4-2 win over Vancouver FC. The Whitecaps won their fourth straight Voyageurs Cup and fifth over all.
In the last of the night’s hardware bestowing matches, Toluca knocked off the Galaxy 3-2 to win the Campeones Cup.
USL League Two Announces 2025 Postseason Organizational Awards (USL 2)
The Annapolis Blues took home the award for New Organization of the Year in USL 2. The Blues set the USL 2 attendance record in their first game and continued to draw well all season.
When this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League starts next week, CBS and Paramount’s coverage with the men’s tournament. Hannah Cash will host along side an all star panel that includes Jen Beattie, Janelly Farias, Darian Jenkins, Kelley O’Hara, and Ali Riley.
Women’s Champions League 2025-26 kits: Ranking every jersey (ESPN)
In advance of the start of the Champions League, ESPN ranked the kits for each team. Some of the kits look really nice. Others I have lots of questions about.
World Cup ticket prices revealed as lucky few win right to buy first (The Athletic $)
One of the outstanding questions regarding next year’s World Cup has been just how much will it cost to attend a match. Previously, FIFA announced tickets would start at around $60 and they would use dynamic pricing. Yesterday, the first group got the chance to purchase tickets and gave us a glimpse of the prices. Prices vary by location and get more expensive as the tournament moves forward. If you had interest in attending the final at MetLife, tickets start at $2,030.
Until Next Week
LEWIS NEAL!!!! Somehow we won the Open Cup in the dumpster fire season that was 2013 when Own Goal was one of our leading scorer in the wrong way.
I think 2025 has eclipsed 2013 for futility.
With the lack of silverware I agree. Though we have more wins than we did in 2013.
Spirit backup keeper Sandy McIver was impressive last night. She made three incredible reactions saves that, along with a goal line clearance by??? (Esme Morgan ?) saved the draw. Should Aubrey Kingsbury get hurt, it’s good to know that Spirit have a backup of almost equal talent.
Current Group B. Gotham finished with 13 points and goal differential of six. Spirit with 10 points and goal differential of 11. Monterrey plays Vancouver FC (amateur club) tonight with seven points and goal differential of seven and could rack up goals. Here’s hoping that Vancouver FC holds Monterrey to three or less.
If Spirit beats Monterrey, we edge out Gotham on goal differential. If Spirit ties Monterrey, we’re in second place unless Monterrey exceeds us in goal differential. If we lose to Monterrey, we’re probably out of the competition.
One of the biggest games in club history coming up on the 15th. It’s a shame it won’t get as much attention as a league game, but hopefully they can get a good turnout.
If anyone is interested, PRO takes us inside the VAR of the potential penalty against Miami in the 3-2 loss a couple weeks ago: https://youtu.be/LShe8M_Tzdg?si=oUxxXPXnTYAOn69a
Its at the very end.
Basically, it wasn’t clear as there wasn’t a good enough camera angle to show the initial contact on the foul wasn’t on the line or outside of the box. Hence the CR stays with his on field call of direct free kick just outside the box.
At halftime Monterrey 4 Vancouver Rise FC Academy 0. One of Liga MX Femenil top clubs v literally teenagers. Monterrey scored in minutes 20, 25,39 and 46.
Final 4-0. Monterey tied with Spirit at 11 goal differential each. Don’t know what next tiebreaker is.
Monterrey 16/6 Academy 7/2. 78/22 possession 4/0 corners. Academy never touched ball inside Monterrey box until 88 minutes, then three touches.
Nevertheless I was impressed with Academy. Imagine teenagers playing Spirit Gotham Monterrey Vancouver Whitecaps. Some real talent there for future Canadian WNT.