I’m looking forward to the traditional hurried drive home from the Plex this weekend, where me and a borderline sellout crowd will be on hand to see the Washington Spirit face the Orlando Pride. That game ends at 5:30 or so, and with post-game quotes to get and things to write out, I might be cutting it a bit close as far as getting home in time for D.C. United’s rather vital trip to face Sporting Kansas City.
In other words, I have Stockholm Syndrome for a 70-90 minute drive.
D.C. United’s Fan Groups Face Off Over New Ticketing Agreements | Washington City Paper
Pablo Maurer looked into the ongoing supporters group dispute. Speaking for myself, I think this idea from the Barra is the best chance of a resolution:
To La Barra Brava, the way forward is a bit more clear, the establishment of a “meaningful supporters’ council [made up of members from all groups] that takes over ticketing operations and is in charge of gameday operations.”
There is no good reason for the council to have ceased, and it seems like the only way any progress will be made towards all of United’s supporters groups
Also, I’d like to remind everyone that if you’re going to discuss this down in the comments, it has to remain respectful no matter how much you disagree. I know for most of you this is an unnecessary reminder, and hopefully I just wasted my time typing it out.
DC United’s Yamil Asad wins Week 4 AT&T MLS Goal of the Week award | MLSsoccer.com
Given how everyone lost their minds over a Bradley Wright-Phillips goal scored the same day, and how United usually doesn’t do well in league polling (especially after a loss), I had written this one off. Yamil Asad has now won GotW twice. Maybe we need a team of 11 Asads.
Over at Buzzard Point, the new video board has been installed:
Hey @dcunited, meet your new video board. ✨#DCU // @Audi pic.twitter.com/my7B5ABpzg
— Audi Field (@AudiField) March 29, 2018
Washington Spirit signs Mallory Eubanks as National Team Replacement Player | WashingtonSpirit.com
Estefania Banini has joined Argentina for the upcoming Copa America Feminin, and so the Washington Spirit are using a new NWSL rule allowing them to call up (paid) replacement players rather than simply be short-handed when national teams call people up. Forward Mallory Eubanks, who scored in the preseason, will be on the Spirit roster for as long as Banini is gone.
The Spirit will have another rookie available for tomorrow’s game:
Per Spirit, Quinn is good to go for Saturday’s game. https://t.co/Q8da6ewdoy
— Caitlin Buckley (@caitlinbuckley2) March 29, 2018
Rebecca Quinn traveled with the Spirit last weekend, but was unable to play as her visa paperwork had not completely been cleared. That’s no longer a problem, and it seems reasonable to expect her to start at center back.
Reignbow Reflections: Starting the season off right | Sounder at Heart
One last look back at last week’s game, from a Seattle perspective.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A New Owner, another Concussion, and More! | The Mane Land
Alex Morgan may not be in uniform at the Plex this weekend due to a concussion sustained last week against the Orlando Pride. Also, while we’re here, Marta, Monica, and Poliana will all be missing the game, as they’ve joined Brazil for the Copa America as well.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has landed in Los Angeles | LAG Confidential
I guess this is a big deal?
Loons fans welcome Darwin Quintero to Minnesota | E Pluribus Loonum
This would have been a bigger deal a couple of years ago, but don’t tell Minnesota United fans to be upset that their club finally made a truly big move.
Does MLS’ deal with adidas stifle kit creativity? | Pro Soccer USA
On one hand, I do buy into the idea that getting a kit maker who has no other MLS business would result in better uniforms for United. On the other hand, if the MLS assertion in here that teams get plenty of say in the final product is true, then the problem might not be Adidas as much as it is a generally conservative mindset that comes up a lot in American soccer.
While I have issues with United’s current kits (specifically, the amount of gray on the shirts being above 0%), the designs for both are among MLS’s most unique. Elsewhere, though, it seems like a slow drift towards some very safe looks.
Soccer referees could start keeping official time | NCAA.com
If you’ve been to a college soccer game, you’ve dealt with seeing the clock count down to zero, clock stoppages, and an obnoxious 10 second countdown from the PA. Well, no more, hopefully!
That’ll do it for me. See you folks on 270, getting upset because the person in front of you is going too slow while the person behind you is tailgating you.