DC United lose in controversial fashion, Spirit win big, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. Tomorrow, we enter the autumnal equinox, and we will be officially in Fall. My favorite season. it means we’re about to enter the best season of the year: Hoodie SZN. I’m definitely ready for the cool temps. Here we go, let’s recap what was a busy weekend!
Controversial call denies DC United points in loss to Charlotte FC (DP)
The ball crossed the line…but the VAR officials say they didn’t have the video angles, so that cost DC United in a 2-1 loss.
Washington Spirit see off Chicago Stars in 3-0 win: Match report (Green Line Soccer)
That was much better. The Spirit take care of business on a dreary day against the Stars, but it came at the cost of Mélissa Bethi being stretchered off due to injury. What a shame for a player that was doing really well in her short time with the club.
DC Power drop more home points in draw againt Tampa Bay Sun (DP)
DC Power wanted the win and the 3 points but settle for another draw at home to the Tampa Bay Sun, and the teams share the points.
Loudoun United drops another match, this time to Louisville City. They’re in 11th in the Eastern Conference table.
United did some business over the weekend to get some more Garber Bucks for an academy player. They also retain a sell-on percentage.
Noahkai Banks to represent Germany in international play (SSFC)
More on Banks’ decision to file his one-time switch to play for Germany moving forward.
UEFA & Concacaf demand Fifa pays $10m to all 211 members (BBC)
FIFA made a bajillion dollars from the World Cup. It’s high time they split the dividends with the member associations.
Americans Abroad club jerseys to fit in your collection (SSFC)
Which one is your favorite?
Kylian Mbappé leaves Nike after 20 years to sign boot deal with Swiss brand On (The Guardian)
Mbappé stirred the soccer world by announcing his move to On shoes. Funny enough, in the Madrid derby this weekend, he was still in Nikes, but the transition to On will take a bit.
‘Africa FC’ – What makes NWSL team Washington Spirit so attractive to African players? (ESPN)
A nice dive into our Washington Spirit and what has made our African contingent feel so welcome in the District.
First-month grades for all 20 Premier League teams: A+ to F (ESPN)
From Arsenal to Spurs, they’re not just going in alphabetical order. They’re grading the first month of the EPL, team by team.
This was absolutely something that needed to be thought through more by Oxford United. They were right to pull the merch.
West Ham vs Millwall- 11 arrested near supporters’ pub in Stratford (London Now)
Green Street Hooligans in real life, Millwall supporters tried to infiltrate a West Ham bar the night before a match between the two teams. Several were arrested for conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
FIFA Women’s Champions Cup 2027 to be played at home of Inter Miami CF (FIFA)
Nu Stadium will be the place to be in January as the Women’s Champions Cup will be played down in the 305.
USA Soccercast, Episode 199: New cycle, new look USMNT (SSFC)
I dive further into the call-ups by Mauricio Pochettino and the decision by Noahkai Banks to represent Germany.
The MLS Next Pro incident regarding a coach and a woman referee is not okay, and the report is that the coach in question is former DC United player and current Columbus Crew 2 coach Federico Higuain. MLS Next Pro needs to take the measures necessary to ensure this type of behavior is removed from the game completely.
As you enjoy the day, it’s September 21st…you know what that means…it’s Earth, Wind, & Fire Day!
Looks like DC will be without Baribo, Louis, and Peltola for the Vancouver game. Who’s ready for a frontline of Hopkins and Ordaz (and no Forward subs)?
So how bad do we lose? 7-0?
I think it was a couple years ago we had a game against Portland (I think?) where Benteke was out or had to get subbed out early, and Peglow played forward and scored 2 goals or something. Maybe its possible we beat Vancouver in the same way, but who knows
Yeah, that was the game against the Red Bulls. Benteke came off injured early in the first half. I don’t think Peglow was playing up top, but he did decide, “Fuck it, I’m carrying this team,” and scored two amazing goals, including a bicycle that was probably better than Murrell’s against Chicago.
Of note, those two goals are fully 50% of Peglow’s scoring total in MLS.
Ah that’s right, I think Portland was the following game (which Benteke was also out for and was less exciting)
I think Portland was earlier, but it was one that Benteke was a pregame scratch with an injury. I think we got goals from Mateusz Klich and Kristian Fletcher (!) to tie that game.
El Salvador plays this Friday in the CONCACAF Nations League vs Martinique. I think Ordaz gets called up for that one.
In Hopkins we trust, I suppose.
Fun fact! Jackson Hopkins has as many goals as Lucas Bartlett in his career.
Ordaz was called up for Nations League.
It’s also a double window, so all of our call-ups are gone for 2 weeks.
Luckily DC doesn’t play that second weekend. But that Vancouver game could be rough with no forwards.
Markovic at forward, why not?
Nah, move Peglow to Forward and Markovic to left-wing
In all honesty, it’s as good a chance to give at least one of Castillo, Turner, or Avilez a shot. You’re away to a non-conference opponent with a bunch of international absences. Come on, kid(s), show me what you got!
Remember when Benteke won the Golden Boot? They played the ball to him from everywhere in the field. When he was out, they did the same thing without success. Well it looks like things haven’t changed.
Count me on the side of the people who find the “United 93” jerseys to be an amusing mix-up.
Clearly so. They were set up to smack their collective foreheads…..
I seriously doubt there any malice in this one.
I think its a case of people didn’t think everything through and unintended consequences.