Monday Freedom Kicks: S'Crewed

Wow, feeling like you were jobbed out of a result is weird, isn't it? Anyway, onwards with Monday's savory links:

Recaps of the second game with Columbus this year from us, quotes from the team site, and other assorted recaps (MLSsoccer.com (with a bonus article on Fabian Espindola from Pablo Maurer), District Sports Page, WaPo, CSN Washington, Goal.com, Ives).

Referee Juan Guzman pulls yellow card instead of red on Giancarlo Gonzalez - Massive Report: "The assembled press did seek clarification from the referee crew and the stadium pool reporter submitted questions regarding the play to the referees, but the referee crew declined to answer citing that the 2014 MLS Pool Reporters Form was not visible and posted in the referee's locker room. Members of the Columbus Crew front office did provide the form to the crew, but a member of the officiating team declined to accept the document." Oh boy.

MLS scores: Nick Rimando outplays the Timbers while Sporting KC wreck Montreal - SBNation.com: Kevin McCauley wraps up the week in MLS which had some sprinkles of pecularity, at least as far as the daytime action went.

MLS analyst Robbie Russell has his 'boom goes the dynamite' moment - SBNation.com: RSL and D.C. United alum (and current medical student) Robbie Russell debuted for NBC Sports Network to some initial, um, technical issues. But generally he did a fine job covering Chicago-New England.

RICHMOND 2, PITTSBURGH 2 - Richmond Kickers: Down a level, the Kickers gave up a lead and shared the points as well, this time to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. More concerning is Michael Seaton leaving the match due to an ankle injury, the severity of which is unknown as of this writing.

On the international strategic partner front, Inter Milan defeated Parma 2-0 to solidify 5th place in Serie A two weeks out of a fairly big Milan derby with AC, while Erick Thohir is circling around some targets of folks to acquire during the summer window. No, for Inter.

Federal City FC: Quietly, D.C.'s U-23 team has opened an online store, so for those wishing to get their hands on some non-Leidos product, now's your chance.

Red Bull Salzburg: Steht Andy Najar auf dem Wunschzettel der Bullen?: While there is talk of Andy Najar's Anderlecht contract being extended 2020, there is also rumor of his going to Austria to some club that has an energy drink sponsor, in your awkward transfer rumor of the week. I would not have included this if Najar's agent did not decide to RT this, so conflicting grains of salt and all.

Timbers CONCACAF Champions League Travel Possibilities | TimbersArmy.org: As Portland and D.C. are in the same pot in terms of Champions League draw, this serves as a decent jump-off point as to what to expect when it comes to travel, but also to shake your fist at what will be a choked August calendar.

Nike and soccer: a match made in the 1970s, Timbers veteran says | OregonLive.com: Speaking of the Rose City, a nice look at Nike's origins in the soccer market before they went all Mercurial'd, Hypervenom'd and such.

Clint Irwin: Player's Perspective: How should games be refereed? - Soccer - SI.com: One of the better and more articulate voices in MLS discusses referees and bias.

What the legacy of David Regis says about the USMNT's Julian Green | THE WORD | MLSsoccer.com: A really good piece on Julian Green 1.0, for those of you more recent arrivals to the sport.

Carlisle: MLS's requirements for expansion clubs evolving by Jeff Carlisle - ESPN FC: ESPN looks at the fluctuating criteria one needs to fork over the cash for an MLS franchise these days.

Did you catch the Sounders reference on NBC's ‘Parks and Recreation'? | Sounders FC | Seattle Times: Parks and Rec has kinda sucked this year, though this reference in the midst of a solid episode was nice to see. Fun note, the actress who uttered this drop has an aunt who is President of Liberia, defeating soccer great George Weah as part of elections in Liberia. So there you go.

Built on Brotherhood, Club Lives Up to Name - NYTimes.com: If "the first and only black coach in Romanian soccer. Then there is the goalkeeper, who was born with one hand, and the owner, who doubles as the team’s groundskeeper.." does not get you, I don't know what will. By far the best New York Times article about soccer this past week.

SOCIAL INVITATION TIME: Via the Screaming Eagles, a Supporters' Home Brew competition will be held in Lot 8 before the June 28 game with Seattle. Email tailgates@screaming-eagles.com for more information.

Finally, our thoughts to the Philadelphia Union and more specifically the Sons of Ben, as they lost a member of their family in Eric Shertz yesterday. Eric leaves behind a son in Gabe and any condolences can be directed not only to them but to the Union's SB Nation Blog, The Brotherly Game. A testimonial video of Eric the Union made a couple of years ago is below:

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As always, this is your place to discuss what you wish to discuss.