This should be a day that I, as a District Press writer, get a coup. Midafternoon announcement of the USMNT roster drop on a Tuesday? Should be all coming up Talon. Sadly, that’s not quite the case. In all seriousness, I do think the premature leaking of potential rosters than end up being fully correct is not a positive development. Whether it’s an intentional soft launch or the increased ease with which sports journalists can seize on this info, in part or in whole, I’d personally prefer that it not be an “is this real?” followed by jaded acceptance that you’re not seeing anything new. So, yesterday wasn’t as exciting as it should have been, regardless of the players selected and the reasoning behind the coach’s choices.

And, it must be said, I do like being able to post a US roster, in any scenario.

As for the tournament itself, a reminder: Look to independent sources for match kickoff times, because Fox will certainly direct you to the start of commercials, I mean, coverage.

Anyway, on to the news!

Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT World Cup squad is official after 19 months of evaluation– Yahoo

At least we got a Steven Goff piece out of it. It’s all there. Not gonna editorialize a ton here about it, but may see y’all in the comments soon.

Missing a World Cup, over email? Pochettino defends communication style with tough decisions behind him– The Guardian

This of course is the sort of detail color-commentator-adjacent figures who dish on US Soccer tidbits eat up. In a press conference concerning the roster and the tournament, Mauricio Pochettino was combative when confronted with his decision to email the players who didn’t make the cut. All of this will be forgotten relatively quickly (except maybe by the likes of Diego Luna, for whom it’s always gonna sting a bit), but I remain concerned with Poch’s behavior with the press and the attitude and priorities suggested by it. As it seems to usually flare up most when it’s about himself and his own judgment, it gives the impression that the World Cup is just something to get through, rather than a vital moment in the lives of the program and the sport in America. Hope he does well before inevitably hanging it up soon, but I’m not gonna get nostalgic when he does.

Ranking the 10 official FIFA World Cup songs, from Shakira to Ricky Martin– ESPN

The World Cup culture can also be fun and a bit trivial, so here’s some content in that vein. Personally, though it was actually a song written as a message of yearning for freedom and security in Somalia, the song Coca-Cola adapted the lyrics to for promotional purposes in 2010 is still the best World Cup related song, official or not. It’s great a song, the conglomerate knew what they were doing.

Washington D.C.’s National Mall set to host huge FIFA World Cup fan zone– Yahoo

Though the DMV will not host a played match this summer, there’s something coming that may be worth looking into come the group stage.

USWNT Abroad Tiers: Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox set standard as Chelsea stars Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma offer mixed returns– Goal.com

As the final European game of the season is in the books, and the offseason begins, Goal.com takes a look at the USWNT players who made an impact abroad this season, and who will be eager to step it up when the next one kicks off.

DC Power players were recognized with postseason awards.

Kang’s spending fuels resentment but Barcelona are far from a model club– The Guardian

Sorta silly to criticize an owner for investing, but Barcelona’s goalkeeper did just that. Could it be that it’s cuz one of Barca’s greatest academy products on the women’s side, Ballon D’or recipient Alexia Putellas, is all but certain to head to Kang’s WSL club, London City Lionesses this next transfer window? Almost certainly yes.

NWSL owners Michele Kang, John Neace invest in new fair-trade soccer cleat– The Athletic

Reminder that investments in women’s sports aren’t just philanthropic. There’s an expanding market here, and miserliness won’t be rewarded when it accelerates towards profitability in the future.

Sam Coffey was really jazzed to meet her positional counterpart on the men’s side of Manchester.

A sense of stagnation is setting in around MLS. The league needs a World Cup bump– The Guardian

A less jovial note to end on than normal, but this piece about MLS’s vital need for the World Cup to boost its business and profile is one worth reading.

That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!