USWNT vs. Mexico, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, and more: Freedom Kicks for 4/6/2018

It hasn’t been a good season on or off the field for D.C. United, but the construction team appears to be avoiding defeat:

Yes, things are bleak enough that successful construction is our fallback. It might not actually change much of anything. In the case of team/supporter relations, it may be making things worse. Plus, we’re apparently never going to get pleasant weather.

Happy Friday!

Lowered Expectations: Week Five | American Soccer Analysis
United is back on the list! Which is actually not good. This time, it’s Luciano Acosta’s close-range chip attempt that landed on top of Sporting KC’s net.

The Art of a Free Kick and How to Giovinco | American Soccer Analysis
You probably won’t be able to guess who has a better rate of success when going direct to goal from free kicks than Sebastian Giovinco. Plus, in an attempt to lighten the mood around these parts, I’ll note that the free kick location chart here has one solitary blue dot on the edge of the six yard box: Rob Vincent’s first-ever MLS goal.

United has an intrasquad match today at the University of Maryland, but it’s closed to the media so we can just dream up what happened I guess.

Elsewhere, the Washington Spirit had several players score on international duty. First up, this pretty spectacular free kick goal from Estefania Banini:

Next, Mallory Pugh scored the opener for the USWNT against Mexico last night:

Finally, and from a day before, Yanara Aedo struck on the counter for Chile.

Alex Morgan brace helps lift USA past Mexico 4-1 | Stars and Stripes FC
The United States blew this open with three goals in four minutes. Andi Sullivan played 53 minutes at the base of the midfield in a very odd 433/343 hybrid formation, while Ashley Hatch got her second cap during the final 10 minutes.

Francisca Ordega and Nigeria face France later today, while Rebecca Quinn and Canada will also play France this coming Monday.

What is taking so long on Boston Breakers season ticket holder refunds? | The Bent Musket
The fact that there isn’t even an answer might be the worst part.

After surviving open-heart surgery, high schooler balances soccer with her baking business | Washington Post
When I was a teenager, I played a lot of soccer and could otherwise barely get myself out of bed in the morning. Here’s a teenager who has survived open-heart surgery, has a baking business, and also plays a lot of soccer.

Stewart, Curtis interviewed for US men’s national team GM | MLSsoccer.com
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Earnie Stewart getting an interview here. Great career, loved him as a player, but have you seen the Philadelphia Union under his watch? Ali Curtis, as much as it was unpleasant, did some serious work with the Red Bulls.

I’ve run out of things to share, so let’s shift from mostly bleak links and news to something fun: