Every time D.C. United play in Bridgeview against the Chicago Fire, it's always a blah experience. I mean, save for a nice goal or a Open Cup win, the weather (rainy and/or windy) is usually horrible. Shame on you Fire, shame indeed.
Recaps of D.C.'s 1-1 draw with the Fire from us, MLS (with more from them here) and the Washington Post. Hot Time In Old Town has you covered from the Windy City angle.
Steve Birnbaum named to preliminary U.S. roster for Copa America - Black And Red United: Yes!
European clubs bidding on D.C. United center back Steve Birnbaum - Black And Red United: No. NO.
Report: D.C. United interested in Gabriel Torres? - Black And Red United: Oh. Hrm.
Washington Spirit, thanks to two goals from Diana Matheson, knock off the Western New York Flash 3-0 - Black And Red United: Diana Matheson keeps the Washington Spirit atop the NWSL table? Me likey.
Are DC United Poised to Improve? - Low(e) down stats: This was written earlier in the week, but an interesting (and I think slightly incomplete) look at DCU analytically.
Ben Olsen invited to craft "Black-and-Red Blend" with Vigilante Coffee | D.C. United: If you like drinkable products combined with your soccer team, then this is for you.
The Future of Football | StatsBomb: Speaking of analytics, this look at the future of the business.
Watch Celtic's Patrick Roberts get gifted a goal by bafflingly bad Hearts defending | SportsJOE.co.uk: Well, Perry Kitchen did not look good for Heart of Midlothian F.C. on this sequence.
Energy FC Acquires FC Dallas Forward Colin Bonner on Loan: We good? This done now? Good.
da Luz - From The Locker Room | Carolina RailHawks: Austin da Luz had a cup of coffee with the Black-and-Red back in 2011 and has spent most of his time since with the RailHawks. Looks like he's starting a writing thing that may be worth keeping an eyelid on.
Stoke City 1-1 Sunderland: Defoe Penalty Rescues Black Cats - Roker Report: In partner club news, a Jermain Defoe penalty kick in stoppage (fouled by Geoff Cameron, no less) allowed Sunderland to steal a point on the road at Stoke City for Sunderland. The Black Cats are in 18th, a point behind Newcastle, with a game in hand.
Lazio 2-0 Inter Milan: Uninterested and Uninspired - The Offside Inter Milan: In more partner club news, Inter Milan saw Miroslav Klose score for Lazio early and a PK goal late en route to a 2-0 loss, keeping them in 4th in the Serie A.
The Day Prince’s Guitar Wept the Loudest - The New York Times: A fine oral history, albeit one I could have done without for another 30 years if Prince was still around.
So what else is going on?