Spirit players up for awards, NWSL board stalls calendar vote, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Good morning DC footy folk! We are finally back to some more seasonable spring weather. The only downside is that we may get a t-storm or two for tomorrow’s Spirit home game. And here I was hoping to attend. Anyways, onto the soccer news!
I know that yesterday Donald posted a summary of the Spirit’s weekend victory, but if you want to hear Andre gush about “Claudinha” Martinez’s first NWSL goal, definitely give it a listen!
Leicy Santos was nominated for NWSL Player of the Week! Additionally Sandy McIver is up for Save of the Week and Trinity Rodman is up for Assist of the Week.
Sources: NWSL board stalls planned vote on season calendar flip (ESPN)
I don’t think this is totally dead in the water, but it is at least not something that will be decided in the near future.
We are 4 weeks away from the World Cup roster being announced and I think I agree with basically everything in here. My only quibble is that we need a solution to Tim Ream along the backline. I just feel like he will be exposed against some of the faster forwards come crunch time…
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Johnny, Richards kick off semis (SSFC)
We have quite a few USMNT players playing in various competitions from the CONCACAF Champions Cup to the UEFA Conference League semifinals this week! Any games you all are excited to watch?
This is an interesting partnership between the NYC mayor’s office and Gotham. Any chance Mayor Bowser can arrange a similar set up?
Seems like a good thing for local soccer here in the DMV.
MLS owners talk potential Vancouver relocation, with Las Vegas a top option: Sources ($The Atlantic)
It’s a shame that this is even considered especially from a team that was in the final showpiece just last season…
Each team was set to make at minimum $10 million with the winner of the World Cup getting $50 million but those numbers will be increased due to many confederations citing high cost of travel.
We end with some DC Power FC news.
That’s all from me folks! See you in the comments!
Totally agree with you about Ream. He’s gotten 2 steps slower.
Yeah, if he’s our starting CB once the tournament begins, it won’t last long for the US unless we’re planning on sitting deep. Which, there’s been no indication for the last 8 years that we’re trying to do that anymore.
It’s just margins reaction times for me with Ream. That was the handball shadiness in the last game. I don’t think he reached for it, and I don’t know if the replay was definitive if it even grazed, but the slowness both to make that stance and the inability to alter his silhouette… yeah, he’s done.
Agreed. Lack of speed kills. I hope he doesn’t get run over in the World Cup. He has had a distinguished career.
Bowser would be looking for the cheapest game in town, so look out for some discounted DC Power tickets.
Channeling what Mamdani did with Gotham?
Brooklyn FC slander!
I somehow forgot to mention that there’s a Champions League semifinal today! I might just put in a meeting for 3 PM today 😉
Ja! Bayern is Nuemmer eins!
I urge everyone to catch a recording of the PSG v Bayern game from Paris. Incredible football! Next Wednesday in Munich. Fasten your seat belts!
So apparently the LAFC ownership group owns Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zurich, more informally known as Grasshopper. They are rooted in 11th place out of 12 and local fans are demanding that the LAFC ownership group sells its majority stake.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48618698/lafc-offers-sell-swiss-club-grasshoppers-fan-protests
Mexico is starting its World Cup camp early with 12 Liga-MX players only. European based players will be joining later in May.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48618572/mexico-sets-liga-mx-only-roster-world-cup-training-camp-includes-gilberto-mora
An interesting read on the World Cup impact on hotel pricing:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7217651/2026/04/22/world-cup-hotel-tourism-prices-usa/
Through 10 MLS games, DCU have allowed 15 games which is good for a tie for 5th in the East and 10th overall for fewest goals allowed with Miami. Most of the teams with fewer goals allowed have games in hand on us. So they are allowing an average of 1.5 goals per game, but there are the 3-2 win over Orlando, 4-4 draw with NYRB, and the 4-0 loss to Dallas. So if you take those 3 games and their 10 goals conceded out that leaves us with only 5 goals conceded in the other 7 games for only .71 goals a game. Those 5 goals are 1 to Austin, 2 to Miami, 1 to Chicago, and 1 to New England. With all that considered I’m feeling fairly good about the defense…the offense on the other hand is another issue.
I’m taking the mindset that a team known for stingy defense just won two shootouts in row when the game state went against us badly.
If the ref hadn’t intervened completely without cause on the Murrell goal in Harrison, I don’t think we’re complaining about offense at this point.
Looks like Andre Dozzell, a center mid, might be coming in the summer.
https://bsky.app/profile/tombogert.bsky.social/post/3mkavd2fc222a
They do need help there. Right now, I think Peltola is the only person who is ok in mid.
Hopefully goes better than the last time few times weve’ve splashed a lot of money at DM…though Peltola is at least playing up to par.
Peltola has been fined by MLS for simulation in the Orlando game
According to the league site the simulation/embellishment happened at the 30 minute mark. I’ll have to go back and take a look to see what it was.
If they’re looking for a house to raid for embellishment, I think there’s a team in Florida to check out….
Apparently its in reference to his altercation with Robin Janson in the box on a corner (I think?) where Peltola held his head as if Janson has hit him there, and he was not hit there at all