USWNT Defeat Canada, Aman’s Loudoun Loan, USL Labor Update, Wrexham in the Bronx, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying this packed window of soccer. Its been a lot of fun for me. One thing that has struck me bouncing between different games is the difference in effort put into coverage of some of the women’s matches. In some cases, certain matches get the full big event treatment with commentary teams and halftime shows. Others you have to scour Youtube for “official streams” with production values and connectivity issues you might find for coverage of high school teams or DC United on FloSports. That is just within Uefa games I’ve watched. This window has been illustrative of just how much work there is still to do. I’ll step off my soapbox and get to the news.
USWNT victorious in Concacaf clash in Columbus (SSFC)
The USWNT defeated their northern rivals 1-0 and jumped to the top of the SheBelieves Cup table. Throughout the first half, it felt inevitable Ally Sentnor was going to get a goal, but things didn’t line up quite right. In the second half she found the mark off a Rose Lavelle corner. That goal proved the difference in the match. The US hasn’t conceded since allowing a 5th minute goal against Portugal back in October.
After scary moments at the end of the USWNT match against Argentina, Trinity Rodman did start for the US and played 69 minutes before making way for Emma Sears.
In DC United roster news, the team will loan one its recent draftees to Loudoun for the season.
Two DC Power FC Players Named to Gainbridge Super League February Team of the Month (DC Power FC)
DC Power’s return to play in February featured a win and a draw on their Florida road trip and and an extension of their points streak to five games. The team’s performance earned goalkeeper Morgan Aquino and midfielder Emily Colton spots on the bench for the GSL February Team of the Month. For Colton, this is the second team of the month honor for her this season (December). DC Power FC returns to action this weekend, on the road against Brooklyn.
With a labor stoppage threatening the start of their season, the USL announced movement in collective bargaining discussions with the players. Is this real progress or a public relations move aimed at weakening player solidarity and fans goodwill for the players? Will this be enough to get the season going on time? We shall see.
USL Championship Power Rankings – Preseason (USL)
USL’s preseason rankings are not too favorable for Loudoun, listing them 18th among 25 teams. A quick look at the list finds an old friend sitting at the top of the list though. Former DC United midfielder Rob Vincent and the reigning USL champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds are the top team in preseason.
Richmond Kickers Unveil The Crossing Kit (Rivercity 93)
Its still very much jersey release season. Yesterday, the Richmond Kickers released “The Crossing Kit”, their new jersey for 2026. The design is inspired by the Richmond Triple Crossing, one of just two places in the US where three rail lines intersect. Interestingly, I also learned that Virginia ABC laws prevent breweries from being jersey sponsors. This is a bit surprising to me.
Liverpool, Wrexham among four teams to tour USA this summer (USA Today)
The first set of European friendlies in the US following this summer’s World Cup have been announced. Liverpool, Wrexham, Leeds, and Sunderland will play matches at locations in various US cities in late July and early August. The match likely to draw the most attention is Liverpool vs Wrexham at Yankee Stadium. As Liverpool fan, I dread that one a bit due to the field and hope Liverpool starts a mostly D level and academy team.
Its 98 days until the start of the World Cup and this is still an issue. ::sigh::
99 days to the World Cup: How much does the winning team get paid? (Yahoo Sports)
The prize pool for the World Cup winners is out there. This year’s winning team will receive a cool $50 million. The team that comes in last will receive $9 million. Not bad work if you can get it.
Elite clubs lobby Uefa for bigger Champions League squads but face opposition (The Guardian)
This will be a tough needle to thread for Uefa. Fixture congestion (cause in part by Uefa) is a thing. Expanding the squads though, will likely deepen the chasm between the European heavyweights and the minnows who take part in the tournament every year.
As it happened: Matildas put four past Iran on the Gold Coast (ESPN)
Australia and South Korea have both qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Quarter Finals. South Korea, the runner up from the tournament’s 2022 edition, currently sit atop Group A. The two sides will face off in the final group match to decide the group.
I’ll end with this.
#WAC2026 breaks all-time attendance record (The AFC)
This year’s WAC is going to absolutely shatter its previous attendance records. Attendance at today’s match between Australia and IR Iran pushed total attendance past its previous record of 59,910. Matches are still in the group stage and the hosts have at least two more matches to play,
What did I miss?
I caught the USWNT game last night on delay. Overall we limited Canada to handful of half chances. Rodman looked lively but not entirely sharp in her decision making (which is not surprising considering it’s still preseason and she took a hit last game). The Thompson sisters looked good and I am excited to see them continue the tradition of sisters dominating games for the USWNT.
Your last link is just a circular link back to this article currently 11:14 AM.
Thanks. Should be fixed.
Hey, I know it’s “just a friendly” but in the WC warm-up, Colombia is going to be playing France on March 29th 3:30pm at Northwest Stadium (ie: where the Commanders play). Unless of course you’d like to jet down to Mexico to see the final WC entrants do their play-in matches (ie: NOT a friendly) to decide the final teams in the WC. Guadalajara and Monterrey I believe. Bolivia, Congo, Suriname, Jamaica, and New Caledonia. Tickets are around $17 USD. I’d go except I’ll just be getting back from a wedding overseas.
The League site has a preview of the DCU vs Inter Miami match this weekend:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/dc-united-vs-inter-miami-what-to-know-how-to-watch-preview-md3-2026
I don’t know if I’d want either Munteanu nor Pirani to start honestly, I just don’t know who else we’d go with. Our only hope is to out-hustle Miami, just harass them and hope to hit on a direct attack. We’re not going to get a point sitting back and letting Messi have free kicks for 90 minutes.
I think Louis will probably start.
Don’t think you can keep a new DP as a sub forever, especially when they have not shown they’re a maverick game changer off the bench two games in a row.
I don’t think Weiler can avoid it at this point. We’re gonna see what 7 million in transfer fees bought the club, and what our scouting department put forward for that money. And I don’t think there’s any indication that DCU management is eager to have that demonstrated.
I think we got fleeced is what happened.
I suspect some pretty bad Eastern European glad handing/connection rewarding corruption, but he sure doesn’t look like 7 million.
I think for DP money, a player should be playing, but I am starting to think this could be another Kim situation without the playing time. Maybe young and not ready to play in a different country.
Not that DCU is participating, but the 2026 Leagues Cup schedule is out.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/leagues-cup/news/leagues-cup-2026-schedule-stage-set-for-mls-vs-liga-mx-showdowns