Monday Freedom Kicks: Early Holiday Gifts

Remember that time we didn't have approved legislation on a stadium? That was nice.

D.C. United to go (back) to Texas for Preseason Tournament - Black And Red United: ICYMI, D.C.'s Texas preseason home appears to be set.

D.C. United Season Review: Dave Kasper - Black And Red United: ICMYI part deux, here's a Goat or Fox type deal on Dave Kasper. One more to go!

VIDEO: Happy Holidays from D.C. United | D.C. United: Because all the sports teams are singing holiday songs, here's the Black and Red's.

Hail Columbia — BigSoccer: Dan Loney praising the team instead of burying them? The end must be nigh!

Will new stadium help United lure international stars? | Comcast SportsNet Washington: Depends on what your definition of star is, I guess?

ASN article: GK Bill Hamid Is MLS' Best, Should Be USMNT's Next: Well, if star is National Team stalwart, we got one in the making in Bill Hamid.

Column: D.C. United would do well to embrace local community groups - The Washington Post: Clinton Yates talks about what (more) the team should do with the community.

D.C. United, Southwest residents forge Community Benefits Agreement | D.C. United: Well, now we can cross reference the previous link with the current one, or something.

Orlando City leaders navigate rapid twists on path to building first MLS roster - Orlando Sentinel: Former WaPo scribe Paul Tenorio with a must-read on Orlando City SC's quest on getting the expansion draft right, including this nugget: "In another mock draft in October, Orlando City selected D.C. United's Eddie Johnson with the top overall pick, a choice that was sure to leak out and get some potential trade conversations started."

Report: Ariel Lassiter, son of MLS legend Roy, signs with LA Galaxy II | MLSsoccer.com: Wow, Roy Lassiter's kid is from Costa Rica? TMYK or something.

Newcastle United 0-1 Sunderland: Johnson Wins It For Sunderland - Roker Report: In partner club news, Adam Johnson scored late to lift SAFC to a win in the Tyne-Wear derby, lifting them to 14th ahead of a Boxing Day matchup with Hull.

Serie A, week 16: Inter and Lazio draw thriller in round's best match - SBNation.com: A late goal by Rodrigo Palacio helped Inter overcome two goals from Felipe Anderson and share the points with Lazio, keeping them in 11th. Oh, Mateo Kovacic did this.

USWNT draws Brazil, 0-0, loses Brasilia Tournament title - Stars and Stripes FC: The US women limped along in the Final in this goalless draw with Brazil, with only one win in four matches. Sounds familiar or something.

Watch a dad surprise his sons with a trip to MLS Cup - SBNation.com: Granted, as a Revs family they've been exposed to disappointment aplenty, this was just passing it onto the next generation, albeit in a nice way.

FIFA to publish World Cup corruption report - SBNation.com: Onto the more cynical side of things, I'm sure this will be completely transparent.

FIFA third-party ownership ban goes into effect May 1 - SBNation.com: I mean, this would seem to kill the Brazilian leagues a little more on the surface, but I willfully plead ignorance here.

Wrestling With the Truth: The True Crime of ‘Foxcatcher’ and ‘Serial’ ": I focus less on Serial and more on Foxcatcher, which I saw over the weekend. The performances range from very good to exceptional, with Mark Ruffalo as Dave Schultz stealing the show. The movie has (I think) three fantastic scenes that Ruffalo is key to, where they explain the dynamic between the brothers rather than being forced to explain it, and another scene that I'll let Rian Johnson describe:

Ruffalo in Foxcatcher: goddamn. The "mentor" scene specifically: GODDAMN.

— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) November 26, 2014

Oh if you get a chance, wish a Happy Birthday this week to Eddie Pope. Hope he (and we) get a damn nice gift in return.