It’s getting colder, and though the 13 seasons of the DMV are well known, the ones immediately on the horizon I can manage better than the swamp broil.

On to the news!

D.C. United can’t solve SC Paderborn 07 in 1-0 friendly loss: Match report- Green Line Soccer

I thought for a sec about doing a playful gaslighting gag about how Jason left y’all hanging without a match report for the SC Paderborn friendly, but the idea he wouldn’t deliver is too outlandish for the form. Anyway, here’s your match report. The game featured fun appearances by promising academy products in the form of attacker Oscar Avilez, midfield distributor Kamil Castillo, and goalkeeping prospect Grant Leveille. Nikola Markovic played up top.

Editorial license: I’d rather throw on Avilez and Castillo late in games to get something in this last stretch of matches than Stroud and Servania, who have proven ineffectual and therefore useless when brought on.

German Club Paderborn defeats DC United 1-0 in international friendly at Audi Field- FOX5 (Video)

Can’t vouch for it’s viewing value, but FOX5 did coverage of a DC United match, so, link existent.

Final few callups for the women’s international window are coming in, and I hope it’s a rewarding one for Gift.

Minnesota United to Participate in Coachella Valley Invitational in February 2027- Minnesota United

Won’t bury the lede: DC United is participating in this preseason invitational in the run up to the 2027 season, and it all goes down in the California desert. Minnesota did a write up, DC United hasn’t as yet, so this gets the link. Click through for further details.

Five years ago, the NWSL was in crisis. Thanks to its players, it’s flourishing – The Athletic

Since its inception, the intrepid, unrelenting players have truly come through in so many ways on and off the field to make the NWSL what it is today. They will continue to improve the league, whether it wants to be pushed to improvement or not.

Overshadowed by USMNT’s talented teens, Berhalter is stealing the spotlight- ESPN

There’s a lot exciting young talent coming through, but Poch seems to be faced with an entirely different quandary for this cycle’s lineup: Is there a way to get Sebastian Berhalter’s burgeoning lethality further up the field, and is there any reason not to make that a key pillar of the attack? He’s simply executing sharply in the final third with both goals and assists, and it’s quite a development.

Cavan Sullivan vs. Gilberto Mora: USMNT & Mexico sensations clash- MLS

It’s a decent framing for the wunderkind vs wunderkind narrative heading into the USMNT’s late night clash with Mexico on Saturday in Arizona. Everyone is well aware, however, that these two nations will foment plenty of tension and incident everywhere when they collide on the pitch, a single narrative will hardly contain what happens Saturday.

Infantino should have no place in future of football – Pinto- BBC

Gianni Infantino has caused a massive schism within the FIFA federations with his corrupt and unethical dealings, and a lot of figures within global soccer are looking for a suitable PR vehicle to run him over with, back up, and repeat till they are properly satisfied. Will his potential involvement in the execution and coverup of the Manchester City financial infractions alleged by Rui Pinto be that vehicle? Time will tell.

One Night One Goal- DC Scores (Auction Link)

And, finally, DC Scores currently has an auction open with some enticing prospective bids for diehard DMV soccer aficionados. Something titled “DC United Junior Captain of the Match,” a signed Ashley Hatch #33 Spirit jersey, a USMNT Signed Jersey from the ’26 World Cup, a Field-side Suite for a 2027 DCU Match, Spirit Staycation and Game Day with an Analyst (Dave Johnson is in the infographic, so that could be fun), and other DMV soccer related packages that you can scroll through on your own. But the cream of the crop may be a chance to guest star on a Hey Spirits Podcast Game Review. Annie and Andre await. (Note: This link is most easily accessible view a mobile device).

That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!