Morning DC Footy Folks!

For any of you keeping up with the trials and tribulations of my 30+ indoor mens soccer team., we won yesterday which means we are in the championship game in two weeks! It’s almost like my own little World Cup!

Speaking of World Cup, we are only 23 days away from the World Cup! Let’s dive into the soccer news!

Luka Modric set for 5th World Cup as part of Croatia squad (ESPN)

Luka Modric and his Croatian crew will be making their way to the DC area very soon to train at Episcopal High School in preparation for their World Cup games.

Neymar makes Carlo Ancelotti’s final Brazil World Cup roster (USA Today)

Somehow, Neymar was able to convince the legendary Italian manager that he can be an X factor for Brazil. Will the gamble payoff or will we see Neymar exit the world stage with a whimper?

25 days to the World Cup: 1 player to watch from each of the debutantes (Yahoo! Sports)

This is actually from two days ago, but I love learning about the lore of “smaller” footballing nations. For example, there’s a pair of brothers who play for Curacao and I’m excited that they get a chance to take the world stage! Who are you excited to see from the debutante teams?

Which USMNT players will be the most exciting to watch during World Cup? (SSFC)

Who is most pivotal to the USMNT’s World Cup success (SSFC)

I’ve got a pair of article from the Stars and Stripes crew for you. For me, the most exciting AND most pivotal player for the USMNT will be Balogun as he shown that he can pop up with a pretty goal when needed.

A reminder that there’s a late night W Champions Cup game tomorrow night for the Spirit. Trinity was featured by CONCACAF as one of the “game changers”.

Austin FC part ways with Nico Estévez, Rodolfo Borrell (MLS)

Austin lost to rock bottom of the West, Sporting KC, and the consequence was the head coach losing his job. Former DCU player, Davey Arnaud, will be the interim coach.

Mikel Arteta’s side moved closer to a first league title in 22 years after Kai Havertz’s first-half header (The Guardian)

Man City preparing for Guardiola departure (BBC)

Sources: José Mourinho agrees to two-year deal to rejoin Real Madrid (ESPN)

Finally, three articles that are related. Arsenal narrowly beat already relegated Burnley yesterday to move within 3 points of winning the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years. Manchester City can delay the celebrations by beating Bournmouth today, but all eyes will be glued on coach Pep Guardiola who is rumored to very close to leaving the Cityzens at the end of the season. His archnemesis, Jose “The Special” Mourinho, has been tagged as the next victim, er, coach of Real Madrid. I know Hansi Flick has been working miracles at Barcelona, but wouldn’t be something to see Guardiola go back to Spain to face his old for again? Espanyol perhaps? (I jest, I jest…)

That’s all from me folks! See you all in the comments!