Spirit/DC Power GK Move Official, NWSL Docuseries Announced, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Morning folks of DC!
I’m excited for some Champions League football today! I am hoping that my beloved Inter Milan can pull off a comeback against Bodo/Glimt. I became an Inter fan back in the early 00s when I would always select them on FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer (anyone remember how insane Adriano was in that game?!). Anyone else have a non-traditional path to fandom for a team? Sound off in the comments!
Washington Spirit Loans Goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko to DC Power FC
The move is a loan until the end of May so we shall see what will happen after. There is also an option for the Spirit to recall Wojo early should the need arise.
Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit featured in new ESPN docuseries (WUSA)
This docuseries is being produced by the same group that created the “For The Win” series last year on Amazon Prime. I enjoyed “For The Win” and it helped create some context for my girlfriend who does not really follow WoSo before the start of last season.
Washington Spirit Forward Rosemonde Kouassi Called Up to Ivory Coast Women’s National Team
Rose deservedly gets a call up for matches against Benin and Kenya with an eye on participating in the W AFCON tournament in March and April.
LAFC outduel Miami, RBNY’s youth movement & more from Matchday 1
DCU gets a shoutout for the 1-0 win over Philly. Also this weekend’s slate of games produced 46 goals; a little over 3.0 goals per game which makes for fun viewing.
2026 MLS Anonymous Executive Survey, Part 1: Key figures on league’s bests, worsts ($NYT)
According to MLS execs, Inter Miami is still the favorite to win it all, at least one exec said that DC United had the best off season, 2 execs said that DC United has the worst training facilities in the league, and 5 execs said that Audi Field is the worst stadium in the league…”‘It’s so f***ing bad,’ one CSO said. ‘Just the way they built out that one side where it’s just like a cavern underneath. It’s just very bizarre.’”
A real shame with what is happening at Tormenta FC (great American sports team name btw). The USL needs to step it up and do better.
Dick Advocaat resigns as Curaçao head coach before country’s first World Cup (The Guardian)
The Dutchman, who has coached several teams at the World Cup including the Netherlands and South Korea, has stepped down from his position to attend to his ill daughter.
Antoine Griezmann in advanced discussions to join Orlando City from Atletico Madrid ($NYT)
The World Cup winner could move stateside sooner rather than later. Allegedly four MLS teams are interested (*ahem* Dr. Sogut, there’s an open DP slot for DCU), but Orlando hold discovery rights.
Loudoun United Opens 2026 Season with New Coach, Players (Loudoun Now)
Some local news about Loudoun. It breaks down the upcoming season a bit for any new followers of the team.
11 Young Players to Watch in the USL Championship in the 2026 season (USL)
Speaking of Loudoun United, new player Jack Panayotou is named in this shortlist of young USL players to watch. Seems like there is some excitement brewing around the Leesburg based team.
Adams and Pepi returned to club action this past weekend and that should make USMNT fans optimistic.
Sources: Mexico, Iceland game still on amid cartel violence (ESPN)
The Mexican Womens National Team will play on Wednesday in Queretaro despite the uncertainty in Western Mexico. Just a reminder that Guadalajara is set to host 4 World Cup matches this summer as well as some of the Intercontinental Playoff games this March to qualify for the World Cup proper.
Finally, this map just shows how insanely large the US is and why “away days” aren’t as common in any of the US leagues. Admittedly, I have never traveled for an “away day” but I am curious if anyone else has and what that experience was like. See you all in the comments!
Pepi returns!
The highlights of the game made it look like he’s pretty much encumbered. Cast on his left arm is very sleek
Everyone get and stay healthy, please! Knocking on literally wood!
I just watched the Philly pre-game interview with Weiler. I know, its a few days after the game, but he said something interesting. He looks at Baribo as the in-the-box striker and he looks at Munteanu as the withdrawn creative playmaker. Further, the understanding between the two is important and that will take time to develop. Man, I hope this works out.
I’m encouraged by the play of some of the other guys before Munteanu came in. Pirani and Peglow did a lot of work getting the ball to dangerous spots while Baribo (or whoever wasn’t on the ball) made runs into the box. Even if Munteanu doesn’t live up to his investment, the blueprint seems to have legs. We’ll need to see if the player’s health lives up to the demands of the long season too.
For Louis, I have to imagine that his background and who else is on the team will mean that he’ll take longer to adjust. Thinking of the other high-profile new guys from outside MLS, Kurokawa seems to know at least some English, and also has Kijima who speaks both Japanese and English to communicate with. I don’t know much about Hefti, but being from Switzerland I’d imagine he’s multi-lingual, and should at minimum be able to communicate with Weiler if he doesn’t know English (which he probably does). I don’t know that Munteanu does know English, and he’s only ever played in Romania (even when he was employed by an Italian team, he was loaned back to Romania). I can imagine trying to adjust to that, especially when no one else on the team speaks Romanian, could be a challenge. I know the team got a translator for Kim when he came here, but I haven’t seen anything for Munteanu, so who knows.
Though, it is nice to see that Kurokawa, Peglow, and Baribo seem to have an understanding of each other already. No idea how those conversations go lol
English or maybe some sort of pigeon language they’ve come up with?
I remember Schnegg saying something to the effect of him and Peglow communicating with a combination of mostly Spanish with a little bit of English. And I think Schnegg’s Spanish actually came from him knowing Italian. So our left side has been a bit of a cultural mixing pot for a couple years now
All good points about adjustment. I know DCU has a history of bringing in players from South America who did not work out. Rooney wanted players from England, Lesene wanted players from the USL and Weiler wanted players from all over. Keeping players from last year and getting new players limits some of the problems of drastic change. Regarding the long season and health of players. I like how the off season brought a lot of better quality players. I think if you look at the bench and who could be subbed in, we have much better subs than last year. Some people on the bench could start if needed and some starters could be on the bench. Weiler actually has some options now. Look at how he substituted in defenders at the end to preserve the win. Over a long season with injuries possible, I think we will be better than last season just on depth alone.