D.C. United (always?) loses, Zlatan always wins & more: Freedom Kicks for 4/2/18

Hi. So remember that NCAA Final Four bracket of shame thing that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago but Adam mentioned on Filibuster last week? Here’s an update:

So basically if you don’t feel like commenting about the game, I’m using my forum as suggestion-taker. I may use yours, I may not, but they will all be considered.

Recaps of D.C. United’s 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City from us, MLS and The Blue Testament from the Sporks side. Have a recap you like? Drop it in.

Spirit get late goals to down Pride in home opener (us): At least one D.C. soccer team did the thing, as Mallory Pugh and Ashley Hatch scored second-half goals as the Washington Spirit beat the Orlando Pride. More from Goff while The Mane Land has the Orlando side of things.

Bonus: Here’s Pugh, Rose Lavelle and Andi Sullivan recreating MTV Cribs!

Adams, Weah and the top 10 teenagers in the USA talent pipeline (Goal): Spoiler: Chris Durkin is somewhere on this list.

Galaxy shock LAFC 4-3 in miracle comeback (LAG Confidential): In case you liked good soccer Saturday, well Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela had braces, but Zlatan’s was in the last 15 minutes for a monster win for the LA Galaxy. Angels on Parade has the LAFC post-mortem.

Grizzlies frozen by ownership uncertainty (Memphis Commercial Appeal): So the Memphis Grizzlies have an ownership struggle that Steve Kaplan may or may not be a part of. Kaplan is close to current DCU Managing Partner Jason Levien, so that’s why this is here. Oh, Swansea City lost to Manchester United 2-0 behind goals from Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, dropping to 15th in the Premier League.

Icardi’s seventh multi-goal game leads to 3-0 win for Inter (Serpents of Madonnina): In other partner club news, Mauro Icardi did the damn thing again as Inter Milan handle Hellas Verona, putting them a point ahead of Lazio and two behind Roma, with a game in hand on both, with Icardi and Ciro Immobile neck and neck for the Golden Boot.

Was The Simpsons' “Homer at the Bat” lineup really that good? (Vulture): There’s the chance I will not read a better bit of content about baseball this year.

Finally, I quite enjoyed this piece from Copa 90 on Southern soccer culture: