Spirit Make a Huge Trade, DCU Draws Loons, Loudoun Releases USL W and USL 2 Schedules, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. Yesterday, like most Wednesdays, I spent a good chunk of time thinking about what to talk about here in the intro. I always aim for something pithy, if not directly related to what follows. I was all set to write about how messy these Olympics have been, with the “doping” scandal, the Norwegian biathlete who used his bronze medal interview to reveal his infidelity, and the French biathlete accused of stealing her teammate’s credit card info. I can’t remember an Olympics with off field drama like this. Of course, as soon as I settled on that idea BIG news started dropping. Let’s get to the news.
Washington Spirit trade Croix Bethune to KC Current for $1 million (DP)
When news of Croix’s departure broke, it was like millions of voices cried out in terror (at least in the parts of the internet I frequent). Annie breaks down the deal and its implications for not only the Spirit but one of the Spirits main rivals.
If you’re still in shock and need more to help you out of it, Annie (pulling double duty), André, and Ella went to red alert and have an emergency Hey Spirits for you.
US midfielders Bethune and Hutton move in pair of blockbuster $1m NWSL trades (The Guardian)
Croix’s move to Kansas City wasn’t the only major NWSL move of the day. It wasn’t even the only major move involving the Current. Clair Hutton is heading from KC to Bay FC for slightly more money.
DC United played their Coachella Invitational finale yesterday against Minnesota United. Would you be shocked to learn DCU and the Loons played to a goalless draw?
DC United finishes Coachella with two draws, conceding no goals but also scoring no goals. The Black and Red will play a closed door exhibition against St. Louis on Saturday.
DC United reveals 2026 Home Kit (DP)
Earlier in the day, DC United dropped their new primary jersey. Check out Donald’s break down of all the details here.
Loudoun United FC Announces USL W League Schedule for the 2026 Season (Loudoun United)
Loudoun United announced the schedule for its inaugural season in the USL W. Loudoun will open up at home against home against Northern Virginia FC on May 16th and play a 10 game schedule.
Loudoun United FC Announces USL League Two Schedule for the 2026 Season (Loudoun United)
Loudoun’s USL 2 team also announced their 2026 schedule as well. They will play a 14 game slate that opens up at home on May 10th against Christos FC.
Inter Miami postpones Puerto Rico match due to Lionel Messi injury (USA Today)
Maybe some of those voices I heard screaming out were not just Spirit fans, but Inter Miami and Messi fans too. The match will be delayed nearly two weeks because of his injury. I still think its more likely he plays in Puerto Rico than it is he plays in Baltimore in March.
James Milner equals Gareth Barry’s Premier League appearance record (ESPN)
Its amazing, Milner has played with or against nearly half of the players who have taken the field in the Premier League since it formed in 1992.
Ronaldo absent again as Al Nassr win in AFC Champions League Two (ESPN)
Though Ronaldo has missed three total matches for Al Nassr, his boycott is reportedly scheduled to end this Saturday. Yay?
The European Super League is officially dead. Long live the ESL. The deal between UEFA, the European Football Clubs, and Real Madrid brings an end to this saga after five years.
Today’s stories feel kind of heavy, so I will end with this.
Emma Hayes, breaks down her Star Wars starting 11.
Love the choice of Chewie as a centerback. The only thing I really question is her choice of captain.
What did I miss?
I think we need to find out more about the Croix request to leave the Spirit. What is going on there?
As for DCU’s preseason, it’s good news that they aren’t apparently leaking goals as in the past couple of years. Other than that, without seeing them play, I can’t form any other conclusions. My guess (and that’s all it is–a guess) is that we played a bunch of different teams with different styles/tactical approaches so the preseason (once we play St. Louis) will have been an effective preseason by testing the team against a range of different teams and approaches.
DC’s approach to the two games was slightly different as well. The formation in the Portland game was more of a classic 4-4-2, while yesterday’s game it switched back and forth between the 4-4-2 and more of a 3-5-2. The Portland game’s lineup was closer to what we’ll probably see in the first competitive game, outside of missing Herrera and Pirani, who seem to have minor knocks, but what we did in the Minnesota game indicates that we’ll have a bit of flexibility in formation, which is what I assumed when looking at the roster. The defensive structure has been markedly better. I think once everyone gets their familiarity in the attack, things should start working better there as well (at least hopefully).
Weiler has instituted out of possession discipline, and that aspect looks strong. Not completely devoid of pressing, but the midblock posture means that we’re not going to be scrambling from third to third, which murdered us last year. Out of possession, all lines look good.
In possession, it’s not clicking.
At this point, if Louis Munteanu doesn’t emerge as a dynamic catalyst in the attack, this is going to be very tedious for fans and arduous for the players. Baribo isn’t creative, and the supporting cast of Hopkins, Peglow, and maybe Clark aren’t DP dominant. We need someone to make it all flow. If Munteanu isn’t that, we remain a transfer away from winning enough games.
Yeah, that’s more or less where I’m at too. Hopefully Munteanu and Baribo get the chemistry they need, and Munteanu is able to be that catalyst. Maybe Pirani can help too, but who knows. Otherwise, they’ll need to get someone thats more of a playmaker to help
The only thing I got from the preseason games are they didn’t give up goals and they didn’t score goals. LOL. Maybe this is what we can expect for the season? If so, another rebuilding year, yet again.
DC will never get a whiff of Messi.
Having had a night to sleep on this, I’m obviously saddened by the departure but it makes sense from a management perspective. This is a player who the Spirit essentially got for “free”, she had one amazing season and then another one that was marked by injuries, and she wanted to leave to get her pay check and develop even further. We moved her for a substantial amount and have a young player who has the potential to fill in for her long term.
Clearly she was a favorite among the fan base and she had a special connection with the city, but she needed to do what is best for her. I think it works out for everyone.
Maybe KC can develop her and sell her too…….(?)
The only thing has changed with The Spirit is Trin’s HIP status. Only real explanation for Croix wanting out.
Money moves are happening, and it seems Croix wanted to land one sooner rather than later.
This is speculative, but my guess is that Croix, being the thoughtful, analytical mind she is, felt her closest relationship on the team was now structurally imbalanced.
I doubt this ends her friendship with Trin, but it seems she would rather FaceTime from Kansas City on a more equal footing than grind and wait for financial realities to change.
I mean I do think Croix and Trin are close friends but also they’ve only known each other for a short period of time. As much as like to romanticize the sport we love, it has been transformed into a business and you gotta get your pay day while you can especially considering that Croix has a history of injuries.
They’ve seen each other every day for over two years. I don’t think it’s a mirage how tight they are. But, that’s not a debate we can win in comments.
There was a press conference today in Baltimore with DC and the Baltimore Mayor. Carmelo Anthony has now joined DC in the effort to bring a stadium to Baltimore. The Mayor has committed land to DC, in Carroll Park, and construction on the stadium theoretically begins in 2027, pending approval on land and funds. Seems like the MLSNP team and maybe the Power will play there, from the way things read.
Turns out the USLW team mentioned was not actually meant to be the Power, and was intended to be a new Baltimore based team
If everything falls the way they like, the article from SBJ also mentioned they could create the team before the stadium is complete.
I still think Baltimore could get an independent team as well, since it could expand to 25,000 if the demand is there.
How much would DCU demand to surrender that part of their territory? That said, I’d welcome a nearby deivision rival if DCU are no longer going to be lined up as rials for NY teams, NE and maybe Philly. But, I imagine there’s a half dozen cities ahead of Baltimore for MLS expansion. Maybe USL…