It’s a slow news day as far as D.C. United goes, what with all the focus on the USMNT’s critical qualifier against Honduras. Speaking of which, the game is apparently going to kick off at 10:55pm. Might want to order that cup of coffee after dinner, fam.
Anyway, let’s do this thing:
Rob Vincent undergoes knee surgery, out around 4 weeks | DCUnited.com
I thought Marcelo Sarvas made a step forward against Columbus, but he still has work to do to play at the level United needs. With Rob Vincent out, we’ll most likely see Jared Jeffrey on the bench as his primary back-up in order for Chris Durkin to get the games he needs with the Richmond Kickers.
Washington Spirit set to host University of North Carolina on Saturday in Northern Virginia | WashingtonSpirit.com
See y’all out in Leesburg tomorrow! I will naturally be wearing a shirt that evokes the Maryland flag, so as to ward off the evils of the Commonwealth.
State rivalries aside, the weather looks beautiful, and it should be interesting to see what progress the Spirit have made in a week (not to mention whether the 352 is still around, and if so, which variation is best). At least at this stage, finding a way to fit Tori Huster, Joanna Lohman, and Kristie Mewis together as a midfield triangle looks like the best bet, but there’s major competition from Line Sigvardsen Jensen and Meggie Dougherty Howard for those spots.
Three reasons we’re worried about the USMNT vs. Honduras | Stars and Stripes FC
Well this is a bummer.
Three reasons we're confident the USMNT will rebound against Honduras | Stars and Stripes FC
Hey, that’s B&RU’s own blazindw, lifting spirits and talking about what the United States has going for them tonight.
USWNT roster released for friendlies vs Russia | Stars and Stripes FC
There are no Washington Spirit players on the roster. Making the envy more acute: there are plenty of 2016 Spirit players on this roster, including Megan Oyster (who is in line for her first senior cap).
Speaking of the USWNT, here’s Carli Lloyd scoring in the Champions League:
Carli Lloyd makes it 1-0 for Manchester City against Fortuna #UWCL pic.twitter.com/Zz38S3rZ3g
— thrace (@thrace) March 23, 2017
USL Season Preview | SB Nation
If you want to know about a given USL team, this is probably the best resource you’re going to find anywhere.
Brazilian Soccer Star, Convicted In Ex-Girlfriend's Murder, Returns To The Sport | NPR
Not great from Boa Esporte, who opted to sign a goalkeeper who is out of prison on a technicality after being convicted of ordering the murder of his ex-girlfriend (among other things).
Orange County SC sign midfielder Carlos Alvarez on loan from LAFC | Angels on Parade
This is a pretty cool story. Carlos Alvarez, a local, was Chivas USA’s pick at #2 in the 2013 SuperDraft. He ended up with the Rapids a few months before the Goats went under, and has now been signed by LAFC (who in turn are loaning him to Orange County SC for the 2017 season so he actually has games this year).
Club Necaxa at Seattle Sounders: Five Questions | Sounder at Heart
Normally I am hostile towards oddball friendlies, but I can see the value to establishing a rhythm this early in the season. Anyway, I am sharing this because of the multiple videos of disastrous moments involving former Chivas USA defender Mario de Luna.
Elsewhere in MLS, Atlanta United got some bad news with Josef Martinez going down injured after this awkward tumble:
@TotalMLS pic.twitter.com/WKPQBpK3WQ
— Plevla (@Plevla1985) March 24, 2017
Media Microscope: John Strong provides a true American perspective to the world’s game | Goal.com
Enjoyed this profile on announcer John Strong, who is always younger than I think.
Let’s finish up with something local: