USMNT draw Uruguay, Euro 2020 qualifying reaches midpoint, and more: Freedom Kicks for September 11, 2019

It’s Wednesday, but today is not an ordinary day. Of course, it’s September 11th, and the entire nation will pause this morning to reflect on the tragedies that ripped a hole in our souls 18 years ago. We all have our stories on how that day affected us, whether you were in New York City, DC, or elsewhere. On this day, I’ll always say a prayer that my dad, who was at the Capitol for meetings and on his way to the Pentagon when it was hit, was running late and was out of harm’s way. I say a prayer for my friend Ted Adderley, who was on the 93rd floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center when it was struck and was one of the 2,996 who lost their lives that morning. And, to everyone who was affected, directly or indirectly, I say a prayer for you all. May we all today remember those that were lost, on a day where it’s impossible to cope, and may their spirit live on through each of us.

With that, if you need to use the comments to reflect (leaving the politics aside for another day), please do. Let’s quickly recap a busy Tuesday:

2019 September Friendly recap - USA 1-1 Uruguay: If they don’t win it’s a shame | Stars & Stripes FC

The United States had a better showing last night in St. Louis, drawing 5th-ranked Uruguay 1-1. Jordan Morris scored the equalizer in the 79th minute for the USMNT after Brian Rodriguez opened the scoring for La Celeste.

Euro 2020 qualifying: Everything you need to know at the midway stage of qualifying | BBC

Lots of Euro 2020 qualifying took place yesterday, with England, Belgium, and France among the big winners.

Bayern’s Davies smashes lone goal as Canada bests Cuba again | NBC Sports

Alphonso Davies scored the lone goal in CONCACAF Nations League A Group A play as Canada beat Cuba 1-0 in the Cayman Islands. The USMNT begin play next month at Audi Field against Cuba. Right now, Canada tops Group A with 6 points and a +7 goal differential.

Why women’s soccer players are worries about their brains | Bleacher Report

CTE is something that has been studied in the NFL, but not much in women’s soccer. Many of the greatest women’s soccer players ever are pledging their brains to science when they die so they can be studied. More money needs to go in to research to protect the heads of our athletes so that they don’t suffer the rest of their lives.

Watch Wayne Rooney Sing “Folsom Prison Blues” at a DC Bar | The Washingtonian

Wayne Rooney apparently will have a 3rd career as a piano singer soon...on second thought, it’s better he stick to soccer.

Danny Williams signs with Pafos FC | Stars & Stripes FC

Once rumored D.C. United target Danny Williams signed with a team in Cyprus over the weekend. It’s an interesting next step in his career, but wishing him the best with Pafos FC.

How Relevent Sports’ federal suit against U.S. Soccer could change how league games are sanctioned | The Athletic

Relevent Sports is not good at organizing matches here (I know from firsthand experience dealing with them), but this lawsuit could affect whether leagues bring regular season matches abroad to the United States.

Jarzinho Pieter: Curacao goalkeeper dies at team hotel before Haiti game | BBC

Sad news out of Haiti as Curaçao goalkeeper Jarzinho Pieter died at the team hotel ahead of their CONCACAF Nations League match today. The team decided they would still play the match in his honor, drawing Haiti 1-1. Condolences to Pieter’s family and his teammates on this terrible tragedy.

Finally, we leave you with the Richmond Kickers’ sweet pre-match warmup jerseys that they will wear on Saturday.

#NeverForget.