USMNT and USWNT lose, USL Super League to flip calendar, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday everyone. Well, this is it. This week, the 2026 World Cup begins. I’m headed out to LA for the first match, and I gotta pack, so here’s what we got from the weekend…
USMNT fall to Germany in final World Cup tune-up (SSFC)
It was a good game and a fun atmosphere in Chicago. The USMNT lose 2-1 to Germany however in their final match before the World Cup starts.
USWNT loses to Brazil in lively back-and-forth battle (SSFC)
The USWNT were down in São Paulo to face Brazil in their first of two friendlies, and they have some work to do after a 2-1 defeat.
USL Super League to flip calendar to align with NWSL (ESPN)
The USL will have a sprint season this fall and then move to a spring to fall schedule beginning in 2027 to bring them into alignment with the NWSL. Big move to decide that the European way of scheduling wasn’t working and to go to what better helps the continuity of the schedule.
Eriksen conscious after collapsing in Denmark game (BBC)
Another scary moment as Christian Eriksen collapsed for the second time in his career in a friendly against Ukraine. He’s conscious and apparently walked out of the stadium on his own power, but we really hate to see that happen again.
Pass the chakalaka! The best World Cup drinks and snacks – inspired by all 48 teams (The Guardian)
This is the content we need! And now I’m hungry and thirsty.
Iran team officials denied visas to enter U.S. for World Cup (USA Today)
This is really messed up and needs to be fixed quickly. This shouldn’t be an issue but…welp.
How do we really know these are fake? Let me take a look and see…*books flight to Toronto*
Third Time’s the Charm; DC Knocks Off Top-Seeded Orlando, Punches Ticket to United Bowl (UFL)
The DC Defenders will defend their UFL title at home! They beat the Orlando Storm on the road to book their place in the United Bowl, which will take place on Saturday at Audi Field. They will face first-year team Louisville Kings in that game, with a halftime show by 50 Cent.
Let’s have a good week, everyone!
On Saturday afternoon Old Glory DC held off a strong second half rally by Anthem. OGDC had led most of the game then a yellow card for persistent infringement in our defensive 22 within a short span of time allowed Anthem to come back. Then OGDC retook the lead with a very important 4th try for a standings bonus point and close to the end sealed it with a penalty kick goal. With those 5 points and New England’s loss to Chicago yesterday afternoon Old Glory locked down the final playoff berth. They will play their semifinal match at Chicago next Monday night. Then if they beat the Hounds ending Chicago’s record setting undefeated season they will return the following Sunday to Chicago for the final and play either the Seattle Seawolves or the California Legion.
Kudos to Chicago on their record setting season. They went 10-0-0 with an average margin of victory of 20.9 pts. Additionally all 10 of their victories were bonus point wins meaning they scored at least 4 tries in all 10 matches. So they got the literal maximum number of standings points for this 6-team 10 game season of 50. Though Old Glory is actually tied with them for the fewest tries given up at 39.
This past weekend at the final stop of the HSBC 7s World Championship in Bordeaux both the Men’s and Women’s US 7s had great weekends. The Women finished 4th and the men finished 5th at the Bordeaux 7s. The 5th place finish gave the US Men enough overall standing points in the series to secure promotion for next season to join the Women in HSBC SVNS One.
The Women won their pool going 3 for 3. They defeated Great Britain 31-7, Spain 19-15 and Canada 33-22. They then beat France 12-0 in the Quarter Final, lost to eventual champions Australia 21-7 in the Semi Final, and loss to Canada in the 3rd place playoff 21-19.
https://eagles.rugby/news/womens-eagles-finish-fourth-in-svns-season-finale-202667
The men also won their pool going 3 for 3. They beat Spain 24-19, Australia 19-17 and Uruguay 43-7. They lost to Spain in the Quarter final 17-5. In the 5th place playoff they beat Fiji 17-14 in an epic comeback win. They were down 14-0 at halftime and fought back. They were down 14-12 with just 45 seconds left and Fiji won their line out and looked to control the game and end it. But the US intercepted a pass and with the literal last play of the game Lucas Lacamp dove over the line and dotted down in the corner to win 17-14. The 5th place finish gave the men the 12 pts they need to book the 8th and final spot in the 2026-2027 SVNS 1 season at the expense of Great Britain who finished 10th overall in the World Championship Series.
https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-mens-eagles-finish-season-on-a-high-with-5th-in-bordeaux-and-qualify-for-svns-1-202667
Final Standings for World Championship standings: https://www.svns.com/en/standings/championship
The Christian Eriksen situation is definitely scary. Very lucky but if I were him I wouldn’t tempt fate again and just retire.
Themed drinks and snacks will definitely help my planning for watch parties! I also need a DC guide for where to watch each team!
I know DC United has been putting out some information about watch parties in Franklin Square and at the Wharf. Not sure if any of the embassies are doing anything.
Apparently, Scotland scheduled a behind closed doors friendly/scrimmage with Norway for this afternoon, but then backed out. Norway’s coach is calling Scotland ‘unprofessional’ and ’embarrasing’.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7342129/2026/06/08/scotland-norway-world-cup-friendly/
Jim Curtin is finally getting his lazy butt off the couch! Signing with Austin…to begin after this season concludes. Maybe a bit of pettiness to get his contract paid out from Philly, maybe wrapping up parenting here in the east before a major move.