USWNT make statement, D.C. United set for U.S. Open Cup debut, and more: Freedom Kicks for June 12, 2019

Happy Wednesday morning folks, or should I say afternoon here in Paris. I got back late last night from the United States Women’s National Team match in Reims, and am up writing this while you sleep. Let’s get to all the action.

U.S. win 13-0 to set all-time World Cup record | ESPNFC

Well, this was a fun match to attend. The USWNT destroyed Thailand 13-0 in their opening match of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, and they certainly made a statement. Their 13 goals was the most by one team in World Cup history, while they also set numerous other records for goals by a team or individual player, in the case of Alex Morgan. A lot of fans around the world were upset at the team’s celebrations after each of their 13 goals, and while most of us in the stands felt bad for Thailand, the best way to avoid the celebration is to stop them from scoring. Thailand was clearly outmatched, but the celebrations did little to dampen the mood of USWNT fans in Reims after the match.

UPDATED: Reggie Cannon replaces Tyler Adams on USMNT Gold Cup squad | Stars & Stripes FC

The hits keep on coming for the USMNT, as Tyler Adams is replaced on the Gold Cup roster by Reggie Cannon due to injury. Probably the most important player for the USMNT will not be in the Gold Cup, which can’t help the confidence of fans ahead of the tournament that starts Saturday.

Report: Kenny Saief loan to FC Cincinnati set to end early | MLS

The Kenny Saief experiment is over at FC Cincinnati, as the club is about to terminate his loan from RSC Anderlecht and send him back to Belgium early. He’s been injured lately and has not featured much since former manager Alan Koch was injured.

Lionel Messi edges out Cristiano Ronaldo to head Forbes top 100 highest paid athletes | BBC

Lionel Messi earned the most of any athlete in the world in 2018, according to Forbes. He earned $127 million last year, while Cristiano Ronaldo was 2nd with $109 million and Neymar 3rd at $105 million. I feel like all of these players should let me hold a couple hundred dollars for them.

Empty seats are on full display at the World Cup, and fingers are pointed at FIFA | Washington Post

While American fans are here in France in full force, the rest of the world simply isn’t traveling to the Women’s World Cup. Only 14 matches have been sold out, and most of the matches show lots of empty seats. If you can make your way to France for some of the matches, do it! There has been some fantastic matches so far with a lot of action, and if others won’t appreciate it, let’s fill stadiums with Americans.

That’s all I got for today. Vamos United tonight...everyone cheer loud for me.