Happy Friday! We have plenty of soccer news to discuss today, and all I did of note this week was bake some cookies (tasty!) and watch the new Frankenstein movie (bad!). Let's get to it! MLS to align calendar with top leagues around the world (MLS)I can't believe they actually did it. MLS says they will switch to a summer-to-spring format in 2027, although there's been…

Happy Thursday everyone. I realized something the other day when I was talking to my Washington State-based in-laws about what's coming their way with next year's World Cup. I grumble a lot about organization, prices, and processes related to the event (see below), but don't always give credit where credit is due. My in-laws and I ended up discussing the artwork created for the different host cities that was revealed a few months back.

DC Power FC was able to defeat Fort Lauderdale United FC 3-1 for their first home win of the season Wednesday night at Audi Field. Dasia Torbert got a brace for DC Power, while Loza Abera added a third goal late in the second half to preserve the win. DC Power started out the match really wanting to pressure Fort Lauderdale high on the field, and they were very successful in doing so.

D.C. United and Loudoun’s seasons are over. That doesn’t mean all of the players from both teams are sitting on a beach somewhere sipping on drinks with umbrellas in them. Some still have meaning matches remaining this year. Aaron Herrera and Arquimides Ordonez were both called in to try and help Guatemala with their World Cup qualifying matches. Rowles will join Australia as they continue preparations for next summer.

DC Power FC are back on the field tonight as they take on Fort Lauderdale United FC at Audi Field. The team is coming off a loss at Brooklyn FC over the weekend, but are hoping that two straight matches at home can help get them back on track. DC Power head coach Omid Namazi thought the play against Brooklyn FC was fine, but he wanted the team to be more aggressive and have more intensity on the field.

Hey, District Press readers! Hope everyone had a good Veterans Day yesterday. I spent mine driving to that Egyptian themed movie theater in Arundel Mills (which is excellent, BTW) and meeting up with my veteran friend to see Predator: Badlands. I've enjoyed a few of this franchise's offerings, but was skeptical of this film's promotional offerings until the reviews started pouring in.

The Spirit are racking up award nominations this week and a DMV native wins an award in the USL Championship! Find out who is up for what in this Tuesday’s Freedom Kicks!

Happy Monday, everyone. My Lions were in town this weekend...we put it on the Commanders, so I'm happy. Let's do some quick happy Kicks! Spirit Survive the Shootout: Washington to Semis for Second Year in a Row (DP) Yeaaaah! The Spirit get past a shootout again, this time against Racing Louisville! They advance to the NWSL semis, where they will host against Portland on Saturday.

Even before kickoff, Audi Field was shaking. My uncle texted, “It is HYPE here at the stadium. You can’t even hear the PA,” and honestly, that said it all. Nearly 20,000 fans showed up to watch the Spirit survive a 1–1 nail-biter and edge Racing Louisville 3–1 in penalties to reach the NWSL semifinals. The Spirit controlled possession early, with Rosemonde Kouassi nearly opening the scoring in the 17th minute before the goal was called back for offside after VAR review.

It’s been a tumultuous year for the Washington Spirit. After winning the Challenge Cup in March, they’ve batted through injuries, midweek matches, and a coaching change to hold onto sec…

Happy Friday! I don't know about all of you, but I have been struggling with the early sunsets in this first week of standard time. What am I supposed to do when it's 8 p.m., and it's already been dark for hours!?! It also has my cats very confused and yowling at me for food at all hours, including when I am trying to write my Freedom Kicks!

Welcome to Thursday! Today is poised to be another eventful day in the soccer world. The USMNT roster for the November international window is expected to drop this morning. How will Mauricio Pochettino construct this roster? Will he give a few hopefuls on the outside looking in on last chance to seize a spot on next year's World Cup roster? Will he choose to give the core he's planning on deploying next year more time together to build chemistry?

Welcome to Wednesday everyone. I don't have any good soccer-related intro material for you today. I will, however, share a moment of joy for me from yesterday. Everyone has that movie, song, book, whatever that helps them detox and recenter. Among the movies that serve that function for me are The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. Yesterday it was announced that the movie's original stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weiss were in talks to return for another round.

Good morning everyone! An update on my 30+ soccer league adventures; we won last night! It had been a few weeks (maybe months) since we had won so it feels good to bask in the warm glow of victory despite my ankle being a little upset with me. Anyways, onto the football! Barcelona's Lamine Yamal youngest in FIFPRO Men's World 11 (ESPN)

Happy Monday, everyone. We had some local soccer results, so let's begin with those! The Spirit lost their final regular season game to Utah, 1-0. But, the playoffs are set! They will face Racing Louisville at Rowdy Audi on Saturday! And the rest of the quarterfinal round: Loudoun eliminated in playoffs 1-0 to North Carolina (DP) Loudoun United's season comes to an end as they lost to North Carolina FC in the first round of the playoffs.

DC Power FC return to the field this afternoon when they take on Dallas Trinity FC on the road at the Cotton Bowl. DC Power comes off a two week layoff after a draw against Spokane Zephyr on October 19th. Since DC Power last played, four players were called up for international duty: Forward Loza Abera (Ethiopia) and midfielders Charlie Estcourt (Wales), Katrina Guillou (Philippines) and Carleigh Frilles (Philippines).

NWSL Decision Day has arrived, and Washington Spirit are all set to play their final game of the 2025 regular season against Utah Royals FC. Despite the fanfare around Decision Day, this match won&…