Pulisic Update, World Cup Coaching Drama, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Good morning DC Footy Folk and happy Election Day in DC! Ranked choice voting is in full effect! Three World Cup games today! And a gorgeous sunny day! Let’s dive into the footy news!
Christian Pulisic trained independently today due to a calf injury suffered against Paraguay. However, it seems all parties believe that he should be fully fit for the game against Australia in three days.
Tunisia hire Herve Renard after shock Sabri Lamouchi sacking at World Cup (ESPN)
It appears that Tunisia has contracted that services of World Cup specialist Herve Renard to right the ship. He previously guided Saudi Arabia at the last World Cup and came away with a 1-0 victory against eventual winners, Argentina. Can Tunisia pull off the ultimate comeback?!
Spain tend to start slowly at World Cups, but nobody expected Cape Verde draw (ESPN)
This was the 0-0 draw heard ’round the world. From this game, we have our first underdog star in the form of 40 (!!!) year old keeper, Vozinha.
San Jose Earthquakes sign Bruce Arena to contract extension (MLS)
The DCU legend will be in charge of the Earthquakes for the next few years at least!
USA vs. Paraguay, 2026 World Cup: What we learned (SSFC)
A nice, more analytical breakdown of the victory last Friday. Can you believe that Chris Richards made 84 out of 84 passes that game?!
That’s all from me folks! Below is your programming for the day. See you in the comments!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs. Senegal | Tue., June 16 at 3 p.m. ET | East Rutherford, NJ | Fox, Telemundo |
| Iraq vs. Norway | Tue., June 16 at 6 p.m. ET | Foxborough, MA | Fox, Telemundo |
| Argentina vs. Algeria | Tue., June 16 at 9 p.m. ET | Kansas City, MI | Fox, Telemundo |
Last night Old Glory DC was taken to the cleaners in the Major League Rugby Semifinal by the undefeated Chicago Hounds 59-22. The first 10 minutes of the match were tight affair with the teams trading penalty goals. Old Glory had the lead for 3 minutes then Chicago responded with a penalty goal of their own and never looked back. OGDC’s ball handling issues that have plagued them all year continued. Plus they kept getting in foul trouble though no one saw a card. Jason Robertson who leads the teams in points scored and was a general on the field was definitely missed. Robertson missed due to injury. For the 4th year in a row, Old Glory made the playoffs and then fell short.
https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/hounds-clinch-championship-appearance-with-win-over-old-glory
Hoping Argentina continues the CONMEBOL streak of not getting any wins tonight. Nothing against Argentina or South America, I would just like to have as little Messi as possible going forward.
Well, Darth Garber is not involved. Anything could happen now.
No he’s been replaced by Darth Infantino from FIFA.
Infantino is far closer to a Jar Jar Binks figure, but a lot of fans do jive with the theory that Jar Jar was a Palpatine acolyte with similar intention cloaking prowess
The front half of France certainly looked like they were just not at all trying or taking this game seriously in the first half. Senegal is way too good for them to get away with that for the rest of the game
It’s trying to fit too many dynamos with no focal point.
Olivier Giroud is sitting at home ripping his hair out and asking God for a time machine
I just had a chilling flash of what this French team would look like if they could magically naturalize New Zealand forward, Chris Wood.
Annnd, they don’t need it, cuz as suboptimal as he has been most of the game, Mbappe was put on this earth to run fast and finish ruthlessly
Gotta say, top notch onside run
They started trying, and actually scored. What a surprise lol
I’m serious, though, if they had a single striker with hold up and facilitating skills, it could be a million
Oh absolutely. Its like their one flaw
Geez.
Mbappe is a frustrating player in that, you hate when a professional athlete is all about themselves, and yet have a preternatural ability to make reality also all about just that
Anyway, if any world power were hoping France might underperform, this is not what you wanted to see from Kylian
Friggin tune in to the Norway vs Iraq game
Approaching the halftime break, but talk about the potentially unstoppable force against a side determined to bleed for each other
Haaland is a fucking monster
Philly waived Olivier Mbaizo. He’s a 28 year old right back with a green card, and would be available on a pretty reasonable salary number. I remember him being pretty decent, but there’s probably something up if last place Philly decides they no longer have use for him.
Just in case, I did get fks up today
https://thedistrictpress.com/2026/06/17/the-beauty-of-the-world-cup-the-golden-boot-race-in-full-swing-dcu-friendly-announced-and-more-wednesday-freedom-kicks/