DC Power lose, World Cup qualifying results, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
It’s Friday! It is a gloomy Friday, and I am out of coffee. Hopefully, I will be perked up in time for the Spirit and U.S. Men’s games tomorrow.
DC Power FC have worst outing of season in home loss to Tampa Bay (The DP)
This was a tough loss for DC Power, who are looking for points to try to sneak over the playoff line. They are now three behind Dallas Trinity FC with six matches to go.
World Cup European playoffs recap: Italy win, Czechia and Bosnia advance on PKs (ESPN)
A round-up of all the UEFA World Cup semifinal matches. The British Isles had a tough day. ESPN also has a summary of who’s in so far.
In the intercontinental playoffs, Bolivia and Jamaica advanced over Suriname and New Caledonia.
USA vs. Belgium, 2026 USMNT Friendly: Scouting Belgium (SSFC)
The USMNT play Belgium this Saturday. Read about what you can expect from them here. I read that the US are 1-0-5 in their history against Belgium, and that might have been all I needed to know.
From bench-warming to USMNT camp, Gio Reyna races against time to secure a World Cup roster spot (Yahoo! Sports)
Steven Goff is doing a number of features about USMNT players this week. In this one, he looks into the decision to bring Gio Reyna into camp despite a lack of playing time for club. I don’t know how you go from that situation to performing well enough to make a World Cup squad, but it’s no surprise if Poch sees something I don’t.
Canada’s Ali Ahmed on home World Cup dream: ‘I want to win our group’ (The Guardian)
Our neighbors to the North are also preparing for the Cup. I think winning their group is a respectable goal for them!
Ireland’s Four Courts was just named America’s best soccer bar by Men in Blazers’s. Congratulations to them!
Train tickets between Boston and Gillette Stadium to almost quadruple in cost during World Cup (The Athletic $)
They are going to take us for everything we’ve got for this World Cup.
U.S. 2031 Women’s World Cup bid waiting on Trump guarantees while host cities want better deal (The Athletic $)
Maybe we shouldn’t be allowed to host anymore World Cups for a while.
Finally, your schedule of matches for the weekend. We have just two, including the Spirit on a very short turnaround from Wednesday.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Spirit vs. Denver Summit | Sat., Mar. 28 at 2 p.m. | Denver, CO | CBS |
| Loudoun United vs Tampa Bay Rowdies | Sat., Mar. 28 at 7:30 p.m. | St. Petersburg, FL | Paramount+ |
Have a good weekend!
Four Courts!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!
I enjoy Four Courts, but RIP Summers.
I have brick from Summer’s. Picked it up during demolition. That place had soul.
We are also hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the Women’s Rugby World cup in 2033.