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D.C. United & Washington Spirit considering cherry blossom jerseys, USWNT beat France, and more: Freedom Kicks for April 14, 2021

Another busy Tuesday, but with some hope!

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Cherry Blossom Festival In Washington, DC Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images

Happy Wednesday everyone. First things first, big ups to the homie Ryan for holding me down on the Freedom Kicks last week while I was unplugging for the most part on a much needed vacation. I owe him a lobster roll. Tuesday was almost as busy as Monday was, so I feel Jason’s pain. Here’s some of the news that dropped yesterday.

D.C. United tentatively planning cherry blossom kit for 2023 season - The Athletic

It’s not a drill. D.C. United and the Washington Spirit are both considering cherry blossom jerseys. United would consider them for the 2023 season, but of course it feels like they’re already trying to temper expectations. The Washington Spirit could do one as early as next season, and Jason has a juicy nugget on that!

Keep tweeting them. Let them know what you want. D.C. United, Washington Spirt...it’s a slam dunk. Do this. Don’t make me have AODC corner the market with the return of these, because we. will. do it.

USA defeats lackluster France 2-0 - SSFC

The USWNT took care of business against the #3 team in the world, France. It was a 2-0 victory with goals by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. The match was played in the same stadium (Stade Océane, Le Havre) where the USWNT last suffered defeat, which was to France back in January 2019. They also beat Sweden in Le Havre during the group stage of the 2019 World Cup, which is the team the USWNT drew last Saturday.

The best and worst of the 2021 MLS kits - SBN

Our own André Carlisle helps select the best and the worst of the 2021 MLS kits. D.C. United’s Marble jersey is listed on the D tier...where do you have it?

Speaking of jerseys, a really cool tribute that will appear on FC Tulsa’s jerseys this season:

My crest, my city: Washington, D.C. - Club Eleven Magazine

A nice tribute to D.C. United by a fan a few days before the opening of the 2021 season.

Concacaf Champions League resumed last night, and MLS continues to do well. Atlanta United beat LD Alajuelense 1-0 to advance, while the Portland Timbers stomped out CD Marathón by a 5-0 score to also move onto the quarterfinals.

Las Vegas Awarded 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Final - Concacaf

Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, will be the site of the 2021 Gold Cup Final on August 1st. Viva Las Vegas.

NWSL Disciplinary Committee Issues Decisions - NWSL

NWSL has a very long way to go, after it rescinded the red card issued to the Portland Thorns’ Morgan Weaver, while Kansas City NWSL’s Kristen Edmonds had a game added to her suspension. Others were fined for tweets about the racial profiling incident that Sarah Gorden of the Chicago Red Stars, along with her boyfriend and family, had to endure after their match against the Houston Dash.

The Black Women’s Player Collective issued this tweet earlier in the day:

Almost all of the Chicago Red Stars tweeted out their own statements in support of Sarah Gorden, but more than a few people noticed the palpable silence of Chicago’s captain.

Finally, there are a ton of 2021 MLS season previews out:

SBN

The Athletic

American Soccer Analysis -

Definitely read up. Where do you think is a realistic finish for the Black-and-Red? Hit the comments and discuss it all, and enjoy the day!