Relegate or Perish? DC United & Sundry Soccer Links for 3 April 2015

I was just falling asleep when I had a mean case of exploding head syndrome, which reminded me:

It's FRIDAY FREEDOM KICKS time!

-Bang!- -Pop!- -Crackle!- -Kazow!-

D.C. United’s Kofi Opare takes center stage in place of Steve Birnbaum - The Washington Post:  A well-deserved spotlight on Kofi Opare.  He performed commendably against LA, but both he and Boswell point to the need to "gel" with each other.

Orlando City preps to face D.C. United, one of MLS' most successful clubs - Orlando Sentinel:  Respect.

Orlando City not your average expansion team | Comcast SportsNet Washington:  Dave Johnson warns us to watch out for OCSC's triple threat of Kaka, Shea, and Ramos.

Orlando City Finally Able to Display Carlos Rivas as Planned - The Mane Land:  And The Maneland adds a fourth threat:  Colombian Carlos Rivas.

Rafael van der Vaart keen on MLS move, will leave Hamburg this summer | ProSoccerTalk:  Look, Daddy!  Teacher says, every time a European star says that he can imagine playing in MLS sometime in the near future, an angel gets its wings.

MLS can’t be the only home for soccer’s American boom; By Simon Evans | World Soccer Talk:  This is a pretty heart-pumping article.  It makes me think, despite everything, we will indeed have relegation one day.

Soccer fans in Turkey on trial for protesting against the government - Mashable:  Soccer fans of the world, you have nothing to lose but your chains.

U.S. senators want FIFA to move 2018 World Cup out of Russia - ESPN FC:  Senator McCain et al want FIFA to pull the World Cup out of Russia.

Brazil World Cup stadiums up for sale following cash flow problems - Times LIVE:  Can we throw one on a tanker and unload it at Buzzard Point?

Harry Kane, Globalization and the Push to Limit Foreign Players in the Premier League - NYT:  England tries its hand at import substitution to improve its domestic development.  Fascinating issue.

And your Friday Freedom Kicks treat is Strongbad checking his email for the first time since 2009.