A Departing Spirit, DC Power’s Local Academy Player, Moultrie Injury, Artan Refs Super Cup, Jersey Rankings, and more: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Wednesday everyone. Welcome to the WAFCON Semifinals. I haven’t gotten to watch as much of the tournament live as I wish I could have, but what I’ve seen has generally be great. Unfortunately, the teams I rooted for (Ivory Coast and Nigeria – bet you can’t guess why) crashed out in the quarters and are now going to the play in bracket for a shot at making the intercontinental playoff and the World Cup. The one good thing is with both those teams playing Thursday, I can enjoy the semis and the final without any stress, First game kicks off at 1 PM today. On to the headlines.
Good news everyone! There’s a new Hey Spirits! episode. Bad news. Anna, Andre, and Ella have to discuss the Spirit’s most recent match against North Carolina.
It might be best if we all just forget about last weekend.
Skurcenski was a short-term injury replacement who’s been with the team since January.
DC Power and the GSL return this weekend. Prior to the match, there is a meet an greet with Kim Crabbe, the first Black woman to be called up to the USWNT.
For those who may be too you to remember her, Donald wrote on Crabbe’s impact back in 2020.
Last season DC Power had two players on academy contracts. One of those players. goalkeeper Emily Krichbaum, is preparing for her senior year of high school and gearing up to play college soccer at the University of Oklahoma, all while continuing to train with the Power.
USWNT, Portland Thorns star Olivia Moultrie (ACL) out for season (ESPN)
Horrible news for Moultrie. NWSL, the NWSLPA , the Women’s Super League, and are taking part in Project ACL which aims to decrease player ACL injuries. However, with the calendar increasingly full of matches, many teams playing on turf, and recovery resources not always where they should be, ACL injuries remain a scourge in Women’s Soccer right now.
Mexico is the one nation in CONCACAF to break from the rest of the confederation and come out in support of Infantino continuing to lead FIFA, Rumors suggest that Infantino promised FMF assistance in moving from CONCACAF to CONMEBOL. Could the days of the US/El Tri rivalry be numbered as a result.
That’s definitely going to help calm the situation.
USA Soccercast, Episode 197: Poch returns as FIFA burns (SSFC)
Donald and company discuss the burning dumpster fire that is the current FIFA situation, Poch’s return, and the September/October window for the USMNT and USWNT.
Somali ref denied US entry for World Cup in charge of UEFA Super Cup (USA Today)
Artan will be the first referee from outside Europe to ref the Super Cup. This doesn’t make up for him being denied a visa and the ability to referee matches here this summer, but it is nice to see him continue to get major opportunities.
A coup for Bezos and a windfall for FSG – where does deal leave Liverpool? (BBC)
As a Liverpool fan, there is a lot in this that makes me uneasy.
I am completely unable to turn down a good jersey ranking, so I’ll end with this.
Premier League 2026-27 kits: Ranking every jersey released (ESPN)
Plenty of throwback inspired jerseys, many of them were well done. What is going on with Chelsea though?
What did I miss?
Apparently AS Monaco are terminating Paul Pogba’s contract, making him a free agent again. Would not be surprised if the “Pogba to DC” rumors started heating up again, given past connections between Levien and Pogba
This would be great, if our intention was to make Montreal signing Alexis Sánchez as a DP look thoughtful and ambitious.
I wrote a comment on the Freedom Kicks yesterday that got ethered, and it was to the effect that I don’t mind MLS being a destination for big name “retirees.” Sure, some don’t pan out, but a lot are truly impactful. DC has had good success with Rooney and Benteke, and Montreal has had success with Drogba, but I kind of feel like Alexis Sanchez will be in the “don’t pan out” category. And I would have to say that would be my fear for Pogba as well. If we could get him as a TAM player, then that harm would be somewhat mitigated. Levien wanted to sign him as a DP last time, and using our last DP slot in that way would be pretty terrible.
I’m hoping at this point we just steer clear.
Sadly because its terrible. I can see using the last DP slot on someone like Pogba. That’s just based on past experience with this team.
The way Sogut and Weiler have been operating though I don’t feel like that’s a move we’d make currently.
I do wonder if we’re headed for a FIFA vs UEFA two Popes scenario
UEFA, CONCACAF, and AFC might do their own thing at least once, with Mexico breaking off to join CONMEBOL, Africa, and whatever other entities want to stick with the FIFA umbrella.
I’m sure those who are backing Infantino will try some PR thing about how they’re staying true to the tournament while the others rebel, but they are in reality characterless hangers-on that deserve no respect
USWNT and Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie has picked up an ACL injury and is out for the season. Apparently it was sustained during practice last week. She’ll also miss the CONCACAF W Championship for the national team this November and December.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7506305/2026/08/11/thorns-olivia-moultrie-knee-injury/
Not soccer related, but a wild story…High school American football player found a 2-foot cotton mouth in his helmet during practice. Kid practiced for an hour with the snake in the helmet on his head. That could’ve turned out so much worse than it actually did.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7507442/2026/08/11/snake-football-helmet-practice-arkansas/
Lol what?! How do you not notice that? Or how did it not bite him?
Apparently, French National Team and Bayern Munich Star Michael Olise played in a pick-up soccer game in NYC.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7504955/2026/08/11/michael-olise-pick-up-game-new-york/