D.C. United gets a grade, Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Red Stars, and more: Freedom Kicks for 9/25/2020

Good morning! Sometimes you just gotta start things off with a goal:

I know, right? Alright, now we’re ready to talk about some things.

Armchair Analyst: Grading all 26 MLS teams at the 2020 season midway point | MLSsoccer.com
Matt Doyle’s grade for D.C. United is on the charitable side, but I can follow his logic. I will throw in that Russell Canouse has moved away from playing right back (four of his last five games were in central midfield), thanks to Oniel Fisher and Chris Odoi-Atsem being fit enough to start games now.

We’ll hear more from United later today, as they’ll be talking to the press this afternoon.

Speaking of, uh, talking, I put out a new Plex Weather last night discussing the Washington Spirit’s win over the Chicago Red Stars, and then what to expect in their next game...against the Chicago Red Stars:

And there will be another one coming out today, because I felt like it was a good idea to not put out a super-long episode.

Staying with the Spirit, who head out for that game today, Richie Burke gave me some injury updates for this game. Here’s the start of a short Twitter thread:

USLBPA members talk about the importance of voting and not sticking to sports | Beautiful Game Network
An honest discussion with the USL Black Players Alliance (including Loudoun United captain Peabo Doue) on the importance of voting this year, and of informing yourself before you do.

Struber, Simão emerge as earliest links to Red Bulls coaching position | Once a Metro
Some interesting history for both rumored successors for Chris Armas as the New York Red Bulls head coach.

FIFA suspends the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association | FIFA.com
This is a bummer. On one hand, you have FIFA, which functions like the result of mixing bureaucracy and gangsters, and they’re cracking down on a smaller federation in a way that they would never do to a larger country’s governing body. On the other, you have a long-troubled federation that brought us Jack Warner and has repeatedly come up short in paying its players.

A Note on our Print Schedule | Washington City Paper
And here’s another bummer, but it’s one you can do something about. The Washington City Paper is an institution we can support and protect during these tough times. If you have the means, consider becoming a paying subscriber.

Hate to send you out for your Friday with a double-dose of bad news, but that’s what I’ve got for you today. Hopefully the rest of your day comes with some more positive developments.