DC United’s Future, Trinity’s Renaissance, Banda and Chawinga Master Classes, Lucho Gambling Accusation, FIFA and UEFA Fight Over Shares Plan, and more: Wednesday Freedom Kicks.
Happy Wednesday everyone. If you aren’t watching WAFCON, you really should be. Today marks Day 4 of the competition. So far, two of the heavy favorites have been upset. Yesterday, two of the biggest names in NWSL, Barbra Banda and Temwa Chawinga put on absolute start displays. On to the headlines.
DC United enters next phase of its rebuild as MLS restarts play (WTOP)
José Umaña from WTOP sat down with Dr. Erkut Sogut to talk about the future of the Black and Red. The discussion spurred several questions. First (and maybe just for me), is “The plane is an office for me” the LinkedIn equivalent of ” Trinity Rodman is Greenland.”? Secondly, just how many international spots do DC United actually have open? José and Jason got to the bottom of it.
Trinity Rodman’s renaissance: Spirit win caps a July return to form (The IX Sports)
Rodman had a career month in what in what is shaping up to be a career year. The IX Sports looks at her resurgence.
The Spirit have players from England, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, Scotland, Italy, Canada, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast. Soon players from Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon. Ever wonder how the Spirit scout and build their team? Annie and André have the Hey Spirits episode for you.
Loudoun United to host ‘A Night for Hunter’ in memory of Hunter Bohnenblust (Loudoun Times-Mirror)
On August 1st, Loudoun will host Hartford Athletic and hold “A Night for Hunter, Kick Childhood Cancer” dedicated to the memory of Hunter Bohnenblust. Hunter, who signed a one day contract with the club and served as honorary captain, passed at age 8 in August 2025 from diffuse midline glioma, a cancerous brain tumor. The night will feature a color run before the game, a foam party, and face painting.
Lucho, who now plays in Brazil for Fluminense, is embroiled in a gambling scandal for actions in a match that occurred almost a year ago. Acosta earned a yellow card on August 17, 2025 against Bragantino for actions deemed to be demonstrating “a lack of respect for the game, by recklessly pushing his opponent out of play.” A gambling company identified a n abnormal amount of gambling activity involving the yellow. SportsRadar reported the news to the Brazilian Football Confederation who opened an investigation. Lucho denied any wrong doing. Not a great look for Acosta.
So FIFA is looking to sell its commercial rights to investors, set up a company for Infantino to run after his leadership is up, and basically cede control of the soccer schedule to business interests…… :: Sits rocking back and forth in chair:: Everything is fine. Everything is fine.
UEFA to discuss World Cup boycott over FIFA private investment plan – sources (ESPN)
UEFA was quick to loudly condemn the plan, not that there was any particular fondness between them and FIFA prior to today. UEFA’s statement was unequivicol in its position on the matter and stated, “UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder: leagues, clubs, players, supporters, governments and everyone who cares about the future of the game.” The main question is would UEFA actually sit out the World Cup over this?
MLS owners to hear proposed changes to league’s roster, spending rules: Sources (The Athletic)
A less byzantine salary and roster building structure in MLS? Yes please!
Malawi achieves historic victory over 10-time champ Nigeria in first-ever WAFCON game (Yahoo Sports)
In a major upset, Malawi, making their WAFCON debut, knocked off the favorites Nigeria (and Gift and Deb) 3-2 in the opening Group C match for both teams. Temwa Chawinga scored a brace and Tabitha Chawinga also had a goal for the Scorchers.
Barbra Banda smashes four past Egypt as Zambia enjoy WAFCON demolition (ESPN)
In the other Group C match, Barbra Banda scored four and helped lead the Copper Queens to a 6-0 rout of Egypt.
I feel like today’s FK’s are a bit of a downer, so I will end with this:
Its not soccer and doesn’t involve a raccoon but animal on the playing field videos are always amusing. In this case both the video of a squirrel dodging what looks like the entire Detroit grounds crew and the commentary from the broadcaster a well worth it.
What did I miss?
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