The Spirit Announce Preseason Roster Update, 2026 Storylines for International Soccer, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Normally, we’re supposed to start with a personal message from ourselves as writers/humans in the DMV, but how about this announcement, instead, from Jason Anderson? Jason was a founder of this blog’s predecessor, Black and Red United, before SB Nation as a corporate entity did some pretty inexplicable and shameful downsizing. We owe this person a lot, and would certainly not exist as a blog today had it not been for that initial community and space to discuss DMV soccer. The message below was posted to Jason’s Bluesky account. Take a look, cuz congratulations are in order!
The Spirit have announced some roster moves. As previously reported, Courtney Brown will not be returning, but Brittany Ratcliffe has also been let go. Though the club used the language “Mutually Terminated,” Ratcliffe’s own message to fans suggests that she was cut. Sylla’s loan ended, and former standout Ouleye Sarr has not been signed to a new contract. The club could have tried to renegotiate Sarr’s contract, but the language in this suggests that the FO does not intend to do so.
There is not much DC United news to report since yesterday’s announcement that Louis Munteanu has joined the club as a Designated Player for a club record fee. Loudoun United have also been quiet, though the struggles between the USLPA and the league continue without any reportable progress. So on we go.
DC Power is also a team.
Women’s Soccer Guide to 2026: World Cup Qualifiers, FIFA Champions Cup and More– Sports Illustrated
Though 2026 will be feature the long-awaited (and recently dreaded) US-Canada-Mexico jointly hosted World Cup, the premier event for men’s soccer on the international stage, it’s good to remember that the Women’s game will also feature some important events and storylines. May 2026 be a year of exceptional growth for them.
Goal.com discusses the potential impact of the still fraught and not yet realized implementation of the High Impact Player rule in NWSL. Cat Macario’s return to fitness has coincided with a drop in playing status for current mega-club, Chelsea, and she would certainly qualify for the designation if it goes into effect. Lindsay Heaps has not exactly tamped down on speculation that she could play for the newly minted Denver franchise, as that’s where her parents are located.
Report: US Soccer 2026 Away Jersey leaked– Stars and Stripes FC
Following the apparent return of the jerseys that resemble Waldo of “Where’s Waldo” fame’s aesthetic, Donald reports that the away kits have also been leaked. While the away kit is perfectly fine, fans may be stoked that it seems unlikely that the US will wear the the alternative uniform this summer, given our host status and the unique design of the home kit. Which means many long time fans will be delighted, while I will have to endure something I find a definitional eyesore.
USMNT Explained: Christian Pulisic, Mauricio Pochettino and why the 2026 World Cup matters– Goal.com
If you needed a reminder or refresher concerning the context that the USMNT finds itself in heading into this summer’s massive tournament, Goal.com has you covered.
How Trump’s attack on Venezuela backs Fifa into a corner over World Cup– The Independent
It appears FIFA members have conflicting feelings on the unexpected military exploits of the US government ahead of the tournament. The conflict: Their stated ethical policy concerning the prescribed national ban on countries who invade outside of international law vs. the organization’s long standing dedication to making money. One guess as to which motivation will win out.
Can Professional Women’s Soccer in the U.S. Keep Up with the Global Market?– The New Yorker
It’s pretty cool that the NWSL is reaching publications that have not shown much interest in the past.
I close out on an interesting development in the EPL. Long time staple of the league, West Ham United, which has an incredibly long history of being in the league without achieving many particularly impactful accomplishments within England itself, are in a definite relegation scrap. But it’s who they just signed in a desperate attempt to fix their striker deficiency that I wanted to note.
That signing is none other Valentin “Taty” Castellanos, who formerly played for NYCFC. West Ham acquired him from Serie A side Lazio this week, and plugged him into the lineup against Nottingham Forest, who were at least within relative striking distance in the table. After an own goal from Forest’s Murillo gave the home side a lead, Castellanos was involved in two key moments that followed. He was the culprit as West Ham’s second goal was ruled offside on a VAR check, and his aerial duel with Dominguez resulted in the concession of the winning Forest goal off a set piece. Fans seem encouraged by other elements to his game, but it’s unclear whether West Ham can overcome the 6 point collapse this game was for them.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
Bogert reports this morning that Cristian Espinoza is signing with Nashville. I know he was pretty high on some lists for DC to sign, but apparently Nashville, Portland, and LAFC were the teams in the running for him.
It’s sorta in the ether that Weiler views Caden Clark as a key starting figure in his plans for this season.
Seems likely that Espinoza would not have fit whatever the direction we’re headed, hence the lack of pursuit.
Yeah I feel like a big question for us, especially looking at who’s on the team currently, is if we’re actually going to use traditional wingers or more wing-backs. If wing-backs is the answer there, then getting Espinoza wouldn’t have made a ton of sense
Keisuke Kurokawa points to a wingback system. The supposed interest in Meriton Korenica points to a winger strategy. So… who knows!
I actually don’t think Kurokawa’s signing is truly indicative of any formational decisions, and certainly is not determinative.
His profile suggests a player that is just generally comfortable and well suited to play up and down the left flank. So, while he could play LWB, and that is in his wheelhouse, that capability does not preclude him playing as a LB and nothing else.
Based on having two new DPs that are strikers, and the likelihood that Caden Clark would be more effective delivering from the right wing than centrally, this could easily shape up as a 4-4-2 setup. In which case, having Herrera and Kurokawa as strong, dynamic fullbacks who can get forward and back and are dangerous in overlapping situations would be key to that formation’s success.
Yeah, going out and getting Clark, paying a ton of cash, and using a U22 designation all point to him as being an important piece. Of course, once we got Clark, Weiler only gave him one start, even when he was available for selection. Clark has also shown moments throughout his career, but has never made consistent differences. He was talked about as a building block in a Tom Bogert column. His role – and if he’s up to it – is going to be a big determiner of how this upcoming season goes.
Yeah, I was doing my best to manifest it. I think he would have been a perfect fit for our team needs. Ah, well! Nevertheless.
Speaking of the Spirit, I just ran across this Twitter post from Goff a couple of months ago. Brilliance.
“Washington Spirit has hosted more playoff matches at Audi Field this year (two) than D.C. United has since the stadium opened in 2018 (one). “
We will definitely be seeing the USMNT away jerseys at the World Cup in addition to the home. They don’t design and sell these jerseys only for the team to not wear them. Plus, the host nation of a tournament isn’t actually the designated home team for every match.