DC Power preview, Record NWSL opening weekend, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy St. Patricks Day everyone! In honor of this Irish holiday, let me introduce you to possibly the trickiest Irish player to have balled (though he was born in Scotland); Aiden McGeady!
Anyways, let dive into the footy news!
Donald previews the DC Power game today. They have their eyes on a playoff spot and will hope to continue their good form today, but will have to do so without Spirit loanee, Sara Wojdelko, who has a thumb injury.
Still thinking about the last Spirit game? André and Ella break it down for you! Lots of positives coming from this game (62%!!!), but also many of the same questions that still do not have an answer.
NWSL opening weekend shatters league attendance records (All For XI)
One of the biggest positives of the game, though, was the crowd. The Spirit had the second highest attendance (19,215 and a sellout) for the weekend, only behind Boston Legacy (30,207).
Washington Spirit teams up with CVS to bring multiuse soccer field to Southeast DC (WTOP)
This is very cool and further ensconces the Spirit’s place in the DC community. I, for one, can’t wait to play some futsal on their new courts.
LA28 Olympic competition schedule will start with soccer matches (NBC)
Just a reminder that the LA Olympics will take place as far away as St. Louis! The women’s final is scheduled to be played in San Diego and the men’s the next day in LA.
Quick update on the extended stoppage during DCU’s game over the weekend
Iran still in World Cup despite withdrawal talk, says Asian soccer chief (USA Today)
You know what? I have no idea what’s going happen… (late addition; Iran is allegedly negotiating with Mexico to play their group round games there)
We have the penultimate international window before the World Cup later this month and Poch will surely try to solidify his squad. Questions remain about whether players such as Gio Reyna will make the team, but one thing for certain is that dual national, Noahkai Banks, has opted to not join the US team later this month, effectively ending any chances of making the team for this World Cup at least.
Read the article for a cute picture of pup’s in London City swag; stay for some interesting insights on how this team (which is the only independent WSL team not associated with a men’s team) is trying to grow it’s fanbase.
Sources: Catarina Macario signs record NWSL deal with San Diego (ESPN)
We may have a new “world’s highest paid female soccer player”. It is impressive how often these records of “highest paid” or “highest transfer fee” continue to be broken in women’s soccer.
Tonight’s Match Schedule
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
| DC Power FC vs Carolina Ascent FC | Tue., March 17 at 11:30 A.M. | Washington, DC | Peacock |
That’s all from me folks! Catch you in the comments!
“Iran in negotiations to play in country that recently made the news for brutal nationwide cartel retaliation” is…. Such an embarrassment for the US.
DC moves up to 16th in the MLS Power Rankings…which might be the highest we’ve been since we tied Chicago last March
USMNT squad for the upcoming friendlies:
https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/usmnt-march-camp-roster-gio-reyna-returns-as-injuries-reshape-mauricio-pochettinos-squad-153004696.html
Not really any surprises given injuries and recent selections. Reyna will probably be on the WC team unless he gets a serious injury, club form be damned.
Reyna or Berhalter, or both? Oh, the drama!
I imagine Adams will slot right back in on the WC roster after he gets more reps and rhythm with Bournemouth.
Luna deserves to be there over Reyna. Agyemang over Wright is eyebrow raising, but probably an injury issue on Wright’s part.
Banks of the Bundesliga is, as I suspected, not going to be integrated for the tournament. I think it’s the right call, but I do hope he holds off till the next coach and cycle instead of jumping into the Germany depth chart.
Matt Turner is a sympathy hire
Adams, Luna and Wright are all either dealing with or recently returned from injury, I wouldn’t worry about missing the camp for them…I *would* worry about Adam’s health in general. So much that I think he ends up hanging them up much earlier than any of us would like (but not immediately).
Not too troubled by the goalkeepers. Freese is good, Turner is finally playing regularly and his team seems to be on the upswing. Celentano vs Brady for 3rd isn’t exactly great, but it’s the 3rd keeper slot.
Luna dealing with a knock does indeed make the exclusion make more sense
Whither Gabe Slonina? Some MLS side needs to bring this guy back home this summer.
Diego Kochen needs help too, There was a time a few years ago, where it would’ve seemed likely that these 2 guys were going to have WC slots in ’26.
They’ll have a cycle or more to figure it out, and I hope they do.
At any rate, Freese is simply what we got for this tournament. Calling in some keepers navigating the wilderness doesn’t help the squad a ton, doesn’t even really elevate the keeper unless they’re #1 in the US pool. Even then, Turner to Arsenal levels of disaster are possible.
Kochen is super young. It’s ok to be 19/20 and playing with Barcelona’s reserve team (plus occasional call-ups to the senior bench). Doubtful he ever becomes their starter (or even gets real game time) while Joan Garcia is healthy, of course. He ought to seek a move somewhere in the next year or two.
Slonina might’ve fallen into the Chelsea loan trap, but their GK situation isn’t quite set in stone? He’ll most likely have to move before his contract runs out, but at least that’s only like 2 years away instead of 8.
We missed the Loudoun United US Open Cup game. Currently 48′ on YouTube up 2-0 on West Chester United.