DC United lose, USWNT win, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday everyone. Yesterday marked the start of Women’s History Month. It’s our chance to celebrate all the women that are leaders, heroes, innovators, creators, and are making history every single day. March should not be the only month we do this, but it’s a chance to center those stories and experiences to add it to our daily lives. I’m looking forward to learning more about some of these stories and uplifting the voices that shape this world for the better.
Let’s get to the news from a busy weekend on many fronts:
Set piece defending woes plague DC United in loss to Austin FC (DP)
DC United get their first loss of the season on the road. Set pieces were the story and their luck ran out late in the match.
USWNT kickoff SheBelieves Cup with shutout win (SSFC)
The USWNT opened up SheBelieves Cup with a 2-0 against Argentina. Lindsey Heaps and Jaedyn Shaw had the goals for the United States.
Loudoun United launch 2026 home and away jerseys (DP)
Loudoun United has some new jerseys for the 2026 season! What do we think of them? Also, when will they wear them for the first time? Could be a while because, firstly…
Because of the historic snowstorm in the Northeast last week, the stadium will not be ready for Loudoun United’s first match at Rhode Island FC. So, that has been postponed to October. That means Loudoun will be idle for the opening weekend of the season.
Meanwhile, the season as a whole might not start on time because there is still no agreement on a collective bargaining agreement. Because of that, the USLPA is prepared to strike.
The USL put out a statement too…but it feels like with guys making as low as $13K/season, the USLPA has a point to push for higher salaries and benefits.
In other snow postponements, the Revs also have their home opener postponed for next weekend because the snowstorm delayed the arrival of Gillette Stadium’s new grass field. It should be installed and ready in time for Boston Legacy’s debut in a couple of weeks.
Iran’s soccer federation says World Cup participation in doubt (ESPN)
None of us are really living under a rock, so we all know that the United States and Israel bombed Iran over the weekend, killing the Ayatollah and throwing the Middle East into chaos. In response, Iran retaliated by bombing sites in several countries and now says their participation in the World Cup is in doubt. It would be truly sad for Iran, whose World Cup games are set to be in the United States, to have to pull out, but can we blame them?
AFC Champions League ties postponed after U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran (The Athletic)
Soccer should be the least of concerns right now, but due to the military conflict, several AFC Champions League matches were postponed. Iran’s domestic league has also been suspended as have matches in several countries in the Middle East.
European countries fear playing in World Cup will mean financial loss (The Guardian)
European federations are worried that they’re going to actually lose money playing in the World Cup due to the costs and the lack of increase in FIFA payouts and expense reimbursements.
IFAB approves rule changes to curb time-wasting, will be at World Cup (USA Today)
Some of the time wasting rules changes will be in effect at the World Cup this summer, hopefully to boost the amount of playing time fans are able to watch.
The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team (FOS)
The latest in the growing fight between John Textor and Michelle Kang for control of Olympique Lyonnais. FWIW, Textor still owes Atlanta United money for signing Thiago Almada over a year ago.
Actor who played Dani Rojas in Ted Lasso is signing with U.S. pro soccer team (Sporting News)
Ayo, football is life! Could Cristo Fernandez, the actor who played Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso, sign with El Paso Locomotive of the USL? Looks like it’s close!
Red cards for players covering mouths – Infantino (BBC)
Gianni Infantino wants players to say things with their chest instead of with their mouths covered. He’s pushing for red cards for guys who talk while covering their mouths to reduce the chances of racism or homophobia to be said in a way that invites deniability.
DC United begins season on U-22 Initiative Club Profile (DP)
DC United has updated their roster structure to the U22 Initiative profile. It means they have some additional GAM to use but at least until the summertime will stick with Munteanu and Baribo as their DPs.
Sam Kerr header delivers Matildas win over Philippines in Women’s Asian Cup opener (The Guardian)
Sam Kerr is back! She’s back on the field for Australia and back on the score sheet for the Matildas.
Browns, Crew ownership group exploring Columbus NWSL expansion (ESPN)
The Haslams are trying to get a group together to bring a NWSL team to Columbus. Coincidentally, the Haslams own the Cleveland Browns but were not a part of Cleveland’s expansion bid. Now, they hope they can bring a team to Scotts-MiracleGro Field.
Let’s have a good week.
I don’t bet, but I feel pretty certain I would have put money on “Christian Ramirez will score against DC United.”
It’s like the Snyder Redskins. You want to win a Super Bowl? Just leave and you will.
Jordan Farr has played three league games for DC United, and allowed 8 goals.
Sean Johnson has played two league games for DC United, and allowed 1 goal, and is playing Inter Miami next.
Who will have more goals allowed after Saturday?
I just can’t see anyway that ends with Iran playing in the World Cup in about 4 months time. I know it’s the last thing to worry about, but who would replace them? Next up in the Asian confederation?
Maybe someone can foster them away from the mess for training and they could just come and have at it here?
It is a challenge, for sure.
It is so much more complex than that. The Iranian Quds Force is a superb covert/special ops organization. They introduced EFPs (Explosively Formed Penetrators) to Iraq and Afghanistan–which was the IED that produced the majority of US deaths. If Iran is in the WC, they get allocated a certain number of tickets. How the heck do you deal with the threat of possible covert operators using the WC to enter the US?
And who knows how this will all play out. But I suspect that 4 months from now, we’ll still have hostilities going on. And Iran is going to send a team then to a country they’re at war with?
Neither you nor I know. This could be a regime change quicker than we think or a languishing pile of festering excrement. I would imagine there are already such actors embedded here, and I would think the BI has tabs on a number of them. I would not anticipate fans travelling internationally for more reasons that I can count, but if the team wants to play, I feel that a safe harbor train is a clear option.
I get your reservations entirely, and they are warranted.
Regime change doesn’t actually seem to be on the table.
It’s a power vacuum, with a lot of players, a lot of guns, and incredibly high stakes where anyone seriously playing for the top role knows that it’s win or die, kill or be killed.
The internet is off for the populace. They can’t really communicate as a citizenry. What’s more, the US and Israel have no interest in a decision by the people that deserve freedom. Autocrats are always a cheaper date than a unified nation of citizens.
The idea of “regime change” suggests democracy, and even if the best case scenario is what the people would implement, the way this has been done, they cant.
The internet is off. The rat race is gonna be brutal.
If the situation allows them to send a team, is having the play their group games in Canada and then sorting out the rest if they advance an option?
They could switch bracket around, but I doubt that will happen. Playing within their bracket in Canada or Mexico is probably doable, it’s only three games.
The athletes are not the Regime. I would love to see them play.
Regardless of their personal convictions and desire to play, I wouldn’t want to fly over right now. This is not a normal America for anyone, particularly them.
I do think it’s crazy that Trump and Infantino are completely aligned and in cahoots, when this World Cup feels like it could be enough of a shit show that even FIFA have trouble moving past it
$$$$$$
That’s the *only* thing that matters to FIFA.
Of course, I’m thinking more about when federations have collectively had enough
Any word on Rodman and her injury?