Spirit Win, Loudoun Recruits Locally, DC Power Extend Almendariz, Vancouver Fans Call for Aid, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. Yesterday was a really busy day and there is a ton of interesting soccer news locally, nationally, and internationally. Let’s get to it,.
Washington Spirit shut down Racing Louisville in 1-0 win: Match report (Green Line Soccer)
The Washington Spirit seem to have found their form. Whether it is the result of the team starting to gel after a disjointed preseason or the impact of a coyote named Jose, who’s to say? Jason breaks down the Spirit’s win on dream, drizzly night in the nation’s capital.
From Spirit Score-Fest to São Diego, South American Players Shine in NWSL (NWSL)
South American players have a great impact in NWSL. When discussing that impact, NWSL can’t help but highlight the Spirit’s history making pair of Leicy Santos and Claudia Martinez. Against Kansas City, Leicy bagged the first brace by a Colombian player, while Claudinha scored the first goal by a Paraguayan player in league history.
Ranking the top 20 best women’s club managers in the world (ESPN)
NWSL is well represented on the list, with at least half the list currently or previously managing a squad in the US top flight. Current manager Adrian Gonzalez and former skipper Jonatan Giráldez represent the Spirit on the list. Where do they fall on the list? Check it out and see.
NWSL chooses to maintain current schedule for next few years (The Equalizer)
Given the fan reaction to the potential schedule change news, this was an easy decision and the right decision. NWSL will revisit the decision after the 2031 World Cup.
DC Power has been working to extend players on their current roster past the end of this season. Yesterday, Paige Almendariz also agreed to extend her time in DC.
Loudoun United signed four players with DMV, including DC United’s academy, ties to their roster ahead of the start of the USL 2 season. Weng came up through the DCU academy before heading to Florida Gulf Coast University and then University of Portland. The 18 year old Barrus currently plays for VA Revolution. Saul finished his collegiate career playing for Old Dominion University. Aggrey also was part of DCU’s academy before playing collegiately for Canisius College.
Loudoun United looked locally for recruits ahead of their inaugural USL W season. Virginia natives Lizzie Rubino and Brooke Oswald both just finished their sophomore seasons. Aranda Hurge played in Bethesda Soccer Club’s ECNL program before going to the University of Arizona. Baxter is a Washington State commit.
D.C. United Announces Inaugural RDS Summer Select Program for Summer 2026 (DC United)
DCU announced the DS Summer Select Program which will provide “high-level training, team formation, and competitive summer play” for boys born between 2014 and 2018. Tryouts will occur in May with training to start in June.
USA Soccercast, Episode 185: USWNT’s Women’s World Cup road runs through Texas (SSFC)
Donald and company discuss November’s Concacaf W Championship in Texas and discuss the purpose of the USWNT’s upcoming friendlies in Brazil.
Fox Sports reveals broadcast pairings for 2026 FIFA World Cup (Awful Announcing)
Fox announced the teams that will provide the English language commentary this summer. The broadcast team is rightfully catching flack on the internet for its striking lack of diversity. I will add in a lesser complaint of my own. I am a big fan of Ian Darke and think he deserves a better partner than Donovan. I think Darke could provide excellent commentary on anything.(See for example the ESPN commercial advertising the 2014 World Cup where he covers a blind date, which happens to be one of my top 5 commercials for the World Wide Leader in Sports).
USA’s World Cup Group D rivals Turkey and Paraguay are battling injury worries (The Athletic $)
While the World Cup is still 42 days from starting, Turkey and Paraguay are monitoring injuries to key players which could impact who makes it to the knockout rounds and who goes home.
Really interesting look at just how much Inter Miami has become Messi FC and the impact his influence is having on media coverage of the team.
I’ll end with this.
The Whitecaps saga is bleak. Their fans are not taking the situation lying down and are calling for fans from across the league to help replicate the effort that kept the Crew in Columbus.
What did I miss?
Greg Roche posted a new episode of Pitch Pass in which he talks with Dax McCarty about the start of DC’s season. With Lloyd Sam seemingly no longer with Apple, Dax is probably the best analyst left there, and he has some interesting outside perspectives on DC. Its worth a listen