Freedom Kicks: D.C. United, MLS and soccer links for 4 April 2014 - Sparks, Sharks, and Players' Mental Health

March is over.  The April matches are here.  Tomorrow we turn a new leaf. Tomorrow we watch D.C. United collect three points from New England.

So rest your vocal cords.

April is National Clicking and Gelling Month.

In the meantime...they may take our lives...but they can never take our Freedom Kicks!

Plenty of things are different as Bobby Boswell returns to D.C. United - Washington Times:  Bobby Boswell.  It seems like he's everywhere.  Now he's in the Washington Times, for an interview.  But tomorrow he's going to be found repeatedly, invariably, relentlessly between the ball and the goal.  And New England will hate him for it.

Chris Rolfe: Exclusive first interview | D.C. United:  Molly Bruh interviews Chris Rolfe.  And Rolfe hopes that he can be a "spark" for the team.  From your lips, Rolfe, to the soccer god's ears.  (Amen.)

Training Notes: April 3, 2014 | D.C. United:  Chris Korb "looked sharp" at his first full day of training after recovering from knee surgery.  Soon, we will unleash The Korb.

Depression highly prevalent in footballers - FIFPro World Players' Union:  A FIFPro study across six countries finds that 26% of currently active professional soccer players suffer from depression.  That's more than double the rate (10%) in the general U.S. population.  And 7% of professional soccer players smoke, which surprises me.

On Women's Soccer: Grading Sermanni's first-cap club:  Soccer by Ives runs down how USWNT newcomers have performed.  Sermanni is testing lots of players, changing up the squad for every game.  He better make some decisions soon, so that a squad can gel for the 2015 World Cup.  Morgan and Wombach have both raised concerns that the change-ups are killing the chemistry.

Brazil Kicks Up Taxes on Beer, Soda Ahead of World Cup - WSJ.com:  I don't mind paying a tax on beer, if the money goes to something worthwhile.

Brazil cracks down on child prostitution for World Cup - CNN.com:  Like fighting child prostitution.

Big city's shark problem brought to light thanks to stunning image captured off Recife, Brazil - Pete Thomas Outdoors:  If you're attending the June 26th U.S.-Germany game in Recife, stay dry.

You know what to do. Click. Gel.