NWSL Playoff Final Coming to Rowdy Audi, DCU’s Ethiopia Friendly Nixed, FIFA World Cup Approaches, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Having largely recovered from a couple days of mild sickness, I’m ready to dive into some Hump Day news! So, let’s get to it.
It is not easy for any club to navigate a brutally competitive NWSL playoff gauntlet to the final. It is especially challenging to do so three times in a row. However, if The Washington Spirit can manage to get there, the reward will be the chance to win the NWSL’s most coveted trophy in their own stadium, egged on in that performance by the passionate fans at Rowdy Audi.
If The Spirit continue scoring goals like this, they have a shot.
D.C. United Cancels Ethiopian Soccer Legacy Match – DC United
In less positive news, DC United’s friendly exhibition against the Ethiopian men’s national team has been cancelled. The expected visitors reportedly were experiencing issues obtaining travel visas due to concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak. With 10 African nations qualified for the upcoming World Cup, including DR Congo, where the outbreak is reportedly centered, this bodes not well for the teams’ easy entry. Truly a mess.
The Loudoun United standout with the awesome name has continued to garner acclaim, this time making the bench for Week 13’s TOTW.
Tyler Adams and Chris Richards did not participate in yesterday’s training due to “load management,” and a few other tidbits covered by Goal.com.
USMNT’s Bizarre Water Break Tactic Could Revolutionize World Cup—Will FIFA Allow It?– Sports Illustrated
I’m not gonna avoid editorializing here, this is SOOOOO dumb. FIFA and FOX conspired to institute hydration breaks in both halves of every World Cup match, citing the high temperatures at venues, but undoubtedly eager to include commercial content more regularly in the match broadcasts. FIFA, however, has found the real culprit: Pochettino deciding to give his side a tactical talk with his laptop. Cuz apparently, coaches doing exactly what everyone expects them to do with any significant break in play while also bringing in any tech is OUT OF BOUNDS. You amend your corporate sellouts, FIFA, and we’ll amend our laptop. Just so silly.
MLS-record 44 players on 2026 World Cup rosters: Call-ups by club– MLS
Good idea for MLS to compile this for the interested reader.
World Cup rocked by spot-fixing allegations with two players reported– Yahoo
Yeah, not great. A ball has yet to be kicked, but forces intent on boosting their profits in the unsavory world of sports betting are already hard at work. For a longer read into a journalistic investigation into those activities, read this piece from The Athletic.
Switzerland travel to US without Embolo over Esta issue– BBC
This is a reminder that clickbait headlines may lead you astray. You may have heard that Breel Embolo of the Swiss national team has been denied entry into the United States, and some assumptions probably jump to mind. However, this particular case centers on charges of threats from 2018 in Basel that Embolo is no longer disputing. The team does not expect that this will prevent him from playing, only delay his entry into the states.
Artist sues FIFA for painting over Dallas whale mural for World Cup– ESPN
Hell hath no fury like a mural artist seeing their work destroyed by faceless global forces. Let’s see if the artist receives compensation.
Parma took Cremaschi on loan, and liked what they saw.
Finally, living in DC and looking for an explanation about the process of ranked choice voting? Wish it could be Hal Hershfelt doing the explaining? You’re in luck! Pretty clever packaging, if you ask me.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
Glad you’re better. We need a healthy Talonesque with the World Cup about to start.
Thanks! It really wasn’t too bad, but this is the first year in my lifetime I’ve found myself susceptible, even a little bit, to seasonal allergies. Which, I always assumed, “so you sneeze a little,” or are congested. I never realized that nature can turn your throat into a bacterial war zone if you don’t treat it properly during Spring. Lesson learned
Apparently LOUIS scored for Romania in their friendly against Georgia yesterday. Seemingly came on at halftime and scored in the 54th
I must say, this is a nice stretch of weird. He seemed so lost and devoid of talent, now he’s banging things in. Go figure.
Yeah, I’m appreciating any and all signs that point to his Golden Boot season with Cluj as not that much of a fluke.
Credit to Weiler and his teammates for not giving up on him as quickly as we did lol. He doesn’t have Baribo’s firey temperment, which maybe we interpreted as lack of talent, when in reality he really knows where to be during an attack.
They didn’t really have a choice till at least the summer window, tbh. Not with our squad depth.
His abilities, ball carrying, distribution, close control, they’re all pretty unremarkable.
Glad he’s contributing goals, but if those become more intermittent, it might not actually benefit the team long term to build on him as a second striker DP.
But, that’s likely to be an offseason assessment, and I’d like us to make the playoffs.
Never thought he was devoid of talent. All along, he was trying some interesting creative stuff, and it was clear he could strike a ball. He was just slow, out of shape, maybe and not connecting..
Looks like Curaçao won’t be wearing its popular away jersey for any of their group stage games. They are unlikely to advance as they are grouped with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast. This is courtesy of FIFA’s World Cup color designations guide to avoid confusion between opponents. Think the Belgium vs USA friendly a few months ago in Atlanta. Also Japan won’t be wearing it’s popular away jersey either during the group stage, but they are more likely to advance out of their group of The Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7328594/2026/06/03/curacao-away-kit-world-cup/
I was living away from DC the last time Audi hosted the championship game so very excited that it will be back this year. Really hoping the Spirit make it, but I’ll enjoy the festivities leading up to the ‘ship regardless of team.
Also, I know there is a lot of reasons to be pessimistic about the World Cup but I’m finally starting to get into the mood watching all of the teams descend upon their host cities. Watching the Cabo Verde team fly into Boston and be welcomed with flags and joy will make anyone happy. Also watch the video of the Japanese delegation arriving in Mexico and immediately getting handed sombreros haha
Since match fixing is apparently on the docket today. UEFA has banned Azerbaijani club Turan Tovus from the UEFA Conference League over a match fixing case from 2019. Turn Tovus has appealed the decision to the Court for the Arbitration of Sport.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7329498/2026/06/03/uefa-ban-club-match-fixing/
My favorite coffee is at the Royal Bagel Bakery in Olney. It’s not fancy or particularly special. It’s just suits my palette basically perfectly.
And the bagels are good too.
Does anybody know if the coffee and bagels that DCU management provided at their season ticket promotion events were good? Seemed like a nice idea to give fans a chance to see the available options. Did it work?