Dennis N.

USWNT Defeat Canada, Aman’s Loudoun Loan, USL Labor Update, Wrexham in the Bronx, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying this packed window of soccer. Its been a lot of fun for me. One thing that has struck me bouncing between different games is the difference in effort put into coverage of some of the women's matches. In some cases, certain matches get the full big event treatment with commentary teams and halftime shows.

Happy Thursday. Today we look at the USWNT's SheBelieves Cup win, Richie Aman's loan, DC Power's Players of the Month, and the Richmond Kickers' new jersey, and others in Thursday Freedom Kicks.

Spirit/Power International Weekend Recap, New Spirit Player Interview, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Morning DC Footy Folks! We are 100 days away from the start of the 2026 World Cup (and I get to attend my first ever World Cup game)! More on the World Cup further down, but let's jump into some local footy news first. PJ did the heavy lifting and put together a great article recapping all of the womens soccer action from over the weekend that involved both Spirit and Power players.

Spirit/Power International Weekend Recap, New Spirit Player Interview, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks

DC United lose, USWNT win, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks Happy Monday everyone. Yesterday marked the start of Women's History Month. It's our chance to celebrate all the women that are leaders, heroes, innovators, creators, and are making history every single day. March should not be the only month we do this, but it's a chance to center those stories and experiences to add it to our daily lives. I'm looking forward to learning more about some of these stories and uplifting the voices that shape this world for the better.

We're talking about the #USWNT win and the #DCU road loss on today's Freedom Kicks.

DCU’s New Contracts, Weezy Out, Kingsbury News, Soccer Don Succession, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone and happy NWSL Kit Drop Day. The Spirit and the other 15 teams will release their new uniforms for this year later this morning. I am looking forward to seeing what the Spirit do and debating with random people online what did and did not work across the league. Until then, here are the headlines. D.C. United Signs Goalkeeper Grant Leveille to a Homegrown Contract (DC United)

Happy Spirit Kit Release Day to all who celebrate. Today we discuss DCU's new contracts, Wiesner's departure from the USWNT camp, Kingsbury's news, jerseys, The Tartan Armu, and much more in Thursday's Freedom Kicks.
#ThatstheSpirit #dcunited #dcpowerfc #loudoununited #woso

Tara Rudd and Trinity Rodman posing in the 2026 Washington Spirit jersey: a green and pink floral top and green shorts.

Y'ALL. I'm obsessed.

Picked up my new book! Excited to give it a read as the hype for the #WorldCup grows! @meninblazers.bsky.social

US Open Cup, She Believes Cup, World Cup, Inter Stunned, Love is Blind Collateral, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks Heya! Towards the end of the FKs, there is a mention of some news related to the arctic circle. Having felt its influence this winter, as the cold air has seeped from that area all the way to the DMV on multiple occasions this winter, we're familiar. On to the news! To start off the DC United news, there is an article that the club will host the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Round of 32 Match at Audi Field on April 15th.

US Open Cup, She Believes Cup, World Cup, Inter Stunned, Love is Blind Collateral, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks

Seems like a good time to bring this back 😶

Spirit/DC Power GK Move Official, NWSL Docuseries Announced, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Morning folks of DC! I'm excited for some Champions League football today! I am hoping that my beloved Inter Milan can pull off a comeback against Bodo/Glimt. I became an Inter fan back in the early 00s when I would always select them on FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer (anyone remember how insane Adriano was in that game?!). Anyone else have a non-traditional path to fandom for a team?

Morning footy folks! The goalkeeper situation becomes more clear for both the Spirit and the Power. Also, a new ESPN docuseries featuring the Spirit comes out this week. And today there are some Champions League knockout games to watch. This and more in your Tuesday Freedom Kicks!

Canada calls Carle, the Spirit Loan with DC Power FC, Bodo/Glimt Giant Slayers?, Klopp on USMNT Job, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone! We've official moved from Fake Spring to Winter II: Electric Boogalo here in Minnesota. We had a streak of nice, sunny, warm (relatively speaking) weather. Most of the snow had melted from my lawn. Then bam, we get snow, not a huge amount of it, and everyone forgets how to drive again. I used to complain about DMV drivers in the snow.

Welcome to Thusday. Today we highlight Gabby Carle's Canadian National Team Call up, the first transaction between the Spirit and DC Power FC, Bodo/Glimt's improbable UCL run, Klopp's USMNT job comments, and much more in Thursday's Freedom Kicks.
#woso #ThatsTheSpirit #DCUnited #DCPowerFC

Spirit Prepare to Make DC Rise Up, DC United Brace for Home Opener, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks Happy Wednesday! Feels like winter is just a matter of watching massive slush piles dissolve. On to the links! OK, so, we're gonna ramp up to DC United's home opener on Saturday, I'm sure, over the next two days. That's not where I'm starting right this moment. Cuz I want to give The Spirit some real love and appreciation this morning, and touch on Croix Bethune's last message to fans: …

Spirit Prepare to Make DC Rise Up, DC United Brace for Home Opener, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks

DCU Previews, USMNT Striker Battle Heats Up, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Morning footy folks of DC! Not much to report on my end except my indoor 30+ team got our butts kicked last night and I am over winter! Onto the news! DC United 2026 Season Preview (MLS)The previews are all starting to come out this week in the lead up to the opening weekend. This one does not have DCU fairing much better this season despite the off season moves.

Morning footy folks! As the MLS season begins this weekend, the previews are starting to drop! Plus we are less than 4 months away from the World Cup and we still don't know who the starting #USMNT striker will be! This and more on your Tuesday Freedom Kicks!

I’m a 5th generation Washingtonian with a lot of love for my hometown, so when the @washingtonspirit.com approached us to collaborate on something that meaningfully represents DC, just couldn’t turn it down.

Thanks to the Maia, Faith, and Les for giving us the genuine space to just create.

Washington Spirit trade Croix Bethune to KC Current for $1 million In a surprising move, Washington Spirit have traded star midfielder Croix Bethune to 2025 shield-winners Kansas City Current for $100 thousand in allocation funds and $900 in transfer threshold funds, the team announced Wednesday. Bethune, who had one year and an option year remaining on her contract with the Spirit, signed a new deal through 2027 with the Current. Bethune was the third pick of the 2024 NWSL draft -- a slot Washington traded Sam Staab to receive -- and quickly impressed with her keen sense of space, canny passing in the final third, and killer instinct before the goal.

Croix Bethune's trade to Kansas City took us all by surprise this afternoon. We take a look at both the negatives and potential positives coming out of this deal.

Spirit Make a Huge Trade, DCU Draws Loons, Loudoun Releases USL W and USL 2 Schedules, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone. Yesterday, like most Wednesdays, I spent a good chunk of time thinking about what to talk about here in the intro. I always aim for something pithy, if not directly related to what follows. I was all set to write about how messy these Olympics have been, with the "doping" scandal, the Norwegian biathlete who used his bronze medal interview to reveal his infidelity, and the French biathlete accused of stealing her teammate's credit card info.

Yesterday was a huge day for the Spirit. We look Croix Bethune's departure to Kansas City, DCU's Coachella finale and new jersey, Loudoun's USL W and USL 2 schedules and much more in Thursday's Freedom Kicks.
#ThatsTheSpirit #DCUnited #LoudounUnited #USLW #USL2 #woso

DC Power win spring opener, Concacaf calendar announced, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks Happy Monday, y'all. I had to sleep in a bit cuz I was still hyped from Bad Bunny's performance at the Super Bowl last night. Now that I have my double shot of coffee, let's get to the news: DC Power had their spring opener down in Jacksonville, and they're coming home with 3 points after Alyssa Walker's substitute goal proved to be the winner in a 1-0 final.

DC Power winning their spring opener on the road and #Concacaf's schedule announcement has us jamming to Bad Bunny on the Freedom Kicks!

🎶 I’ve got a Golden Ticket! 🎶 see you this summer LA!

episode graphic with photo of Haley Carter

🌸NEW POD🌸

Annie, Ella & André were delighted to chat with new President of Soccer Operations, Haley Carter! She discussed leaving Orlando, getting over the championship hump, goals with the Spirit, and A LOT more!

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/2ieD...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso

Someone has taken an interest in soccer #LiverpoolvsManCity

Fairfax native and current GMU (my alma mater) student represent!

Friday Freedom Kicks Happy Friday! The big sports news today is of course the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, which I have been looking forward to. Will they be as bonkers as France's in 2024? Probably not, but I am hoping for something entertaining. The games overall are already providing a wealth of topics to discuss (Finnish hockey norovirus! Cleaning bug blood off the curling ice!

Happy Friday! While we wait for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, join us to discuss new Loudoun United signings, the second half of the Gainbridge Super League season, and Ronaldo's tantrum.

Young joins Loudoun United, Impact of FBRef Data Loss, USMNT Roster Thoughts, Alligators and Murder Shows, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone. As Talonesque mentioned, yesterday was a sad day. To say watching a venerated institution like the Washington Post self-immolate is extremely difficult undersells the moment. The loss of The Post's Sports Section hits hard. Like many from outside the DMV, I was aware of some of great journalists who worked for the paper before I lived in the area.

Welcome to Thursday. Today we look at Sean Young's arrival in Loudoun, the impact of FBRef's data on Women's Soccer, Casey Keller's health, #USMNT news, and Murder Shows. All that and more in Thursday's Freedom Kicks.
#woso #ThatsTheSpirit #Loudoun United

episode graphic with promo shot of sara wojdelko in her vanderbilt kit, holding a ball against her hip and pointing at the camera

🌸NEW POD🌸

We chatted with one of the newest Spirits, Sara Wojdelko (aka Wojo)! We got into how she became a goalkeeper, entering the league without a draft, axolotls, Rainforest Cafe, and more.

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/3wyF...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #washingtonspirit

RIP to the Washington Post sports page.

Among many other things, it's always been invaluable to my research & writing on soccer history. So much of the writing - like this John Feinstein piece from 1980 - is so rich & colorful, just entirely alien compared to what you see today.

It’s saddening and maddening to watch what’s happening at the Washington Post today.

The staffers there and their readers everywhere deserve better than these shortsighted decisions and the mismanagement that led to them.

Loudoun bolsters their squad, Transfer Deadline Day in Europe, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Morning everyone! We finally got above freezing yesterday, but this snowcrete ain't going anywhere any time soon. I've basically spent the last week and a half indoors and out of sheer boredom I caught the Grammys on Sunday night for the first time ever (this is relevant further down). I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was (or maybe my threshold for entertainment has been so whittled down) and the…

Loudoun continues to recruit. Transfer deadline day had a bit of drama involving Ronaldo and Benzema. And I watched the Grammys for the first time! This and more in your Tuesday Freedom Kicks

I knew someone who was at FEMA and his role basically became DHS/ICE support last year. He quit as soon as he could. He loved his job b4 but couldn’t stand what it had become.

Oh wow I just realized Heilferty isn’t even on Houston’s preseason roster

Kinda cool seeing the Brentford’s stadium on tv knowing I’ve been there 😎
I predicted an Arsenal win. 3-1