The District Press

Thread of scattered DCU thoughts after their 0-0 preseason draw with Portland:

Lineup - (442): Johnson (Farr 46); Antley, Bartlett (Marković 81), Rowles, Kurokawa; Hopkins, Peltola, Servania (Clark 66), Peglow (Kijima 66); Baribo (Turner 86), Munteanu (Murrell 81)

Alyssa Walker’s goal is the difference as DC Power take down Sporting Jacksonville on the road.

Your DC Power FC starting 11 for the first match of the spring.

The Gourley/Harney partnership looks like it could be an effective one as it progresses for DC Power.

DC Power FC @ Sporting Jacksonville: Preview, time, and how to watch DC Power FC is back. The spring season gets underway for them this afternoon when they take on Sporting Jacksonville on the road. It's their first match since December 20th, and they have certainly been busy since then, with several roster moves made to set up the team for success. Sporting director Steven Birnbaum has indicated that the club wants to be better at finishing scoring opportunities and to be faster on the attack.

DC Power hits the road to open the spring! Get ready for this afternoon's match against Sporting Jacksonville, and join us for the discussion.

Hey Spirits episode: Goalkeeping, axolotls, and muscle cars (with Wojo) In this episode, André, Ella, and Annie interview Washington Spirit's rookie goalkeeper Sara Wojdelko. "Wojo" shared her soccer journey, including falling in love with goalkeeping and deciding to come to Washington. Then, they talk about her recently departed pet axolotl, Roxie, team-bonding in preseason, and her love of cars. Hey Spirits can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast applications.

In case you missed it: Hey Spirits is back with a new rookie interview of GK Sara "Wojo" Wojdelko!

Friday Freedom Kicks Happy Friday! The big sports news today is of course the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, which I have been looking forward to. Will they be as bonkers as France's in 2024? Probably not, but I am hoping for something entertaining. The games overall are already providing a wealth of topics to discuss (Finnish hockey norovirus! Cleaning bug blood off the curling ice!

Happy Friday! While we wait for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, join us to discuss new Loudoun United signings, the second half of the Gainbridge Super League season, and Ronaldo's tantrum.

episode graphic with promo shot of sara wojdelko in her vanderbilt kit, holding a ball against her hip and pointing at the camera

🌸NEW POD🌸

We chatted with one of the newest Spirits, Sara Wojdelko (aka Wojo)! We got into how she became a goalkeeper, entering the league without a draft, axolotls, Rainforest Cafe, and more.

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/3wyF...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso #washingtonspirit

We should honestly work on this...

Young joins Loudoun United, Impact of FBRef Data Loss, USMNT Roster Thoughts, Alligators and Murder Shows, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone. As Talonesque mentioned, yesterday was a sad day. To say watching a venerated institution like the Washington Post self-immolate is extremely difficult undersells the moment. The loss of The Post's Sports Section hits hard. Like many from outside the DMV, I was aware of some of great journalists who worked for the paper before I lived in the area.

Welcome to Thursday. Today we look at Sean Young's arrival in Loudoun, the impact of FBRef's data on Women's Soccer, Casey Keller's health, #USMNT news, and Murder Shows. All that and more in Thursday's Freedom Kicks.
#woso #ThatsTheSpirit #Loudoun United

anyway, go support @districtpressdc.bsky.social and anyone else covering local soccer on a regular basis but man it is bleak out there right now

Want DCU news? These are the people showing up regardless of the team's record or national relevance:

• @districtpressdc.bsky.social (specifically @blazindw.bsky.social & @sarahkallassy.bsky.social)
• @joseumana.bsky.social for WTOP
• @marioamaya28.bsky.social for Area Sports Network

WAPO Sports Section Cut, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks The Washington Post eliminates sports section as part of wider layoffs- The Athletic I don't normally start this section with a link, but there it is. Washington Post Jeff Bezos has decided to engage in massive cost cutting and layoffs at the (once) historic newspaper. This is upsetting well outside the bounds of sports, but, remarkably, the cuts touch upon the local sports coverage deeply.

WAPO Sports Section Cut, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks

The Washington Post eliminates sports section as part of wider layoffs- The Athletic I don't normally start this section with a link, but there it is. Washington Post Jeff Bezos has decided to engage in massive cost cutting and layoffs at…

Steven Birnbaum speaks on busy winter break for DC Power FC DC Power FC is gearing up to start back up with the spring portion of the 2025-26 season, and they’ve been incredibly busy during the winter break. The number of roster moves they’ve ma…

It was great to speak with DC Power sporting director Steve Birnbum to get an update on the direction of the club, from the flurry of signings made during the winter break to how the team hopes to get above the playoff line.

For @districtpressdc.bsky.social:

thedistrictpress.com/2026/02/03/s...

Steven Birnbaum speaks on busy winter break for DC Power FC DC Power FC is gearing up to start back up with the spring portion of the 2025-26 season, and they've been incredibly busy during the winter break. The number of roster moves they've made with additions, contract extensions, and saying goodbye to a couple of players has the club feeling confident they have the pieces in place to make a run for the playoffs.

DC Power sporting director Steven Birnbaum takes the time to speak with @blazindw.bsky.social on the busy winter break and what's in store for the club as they resume the season this weekend.

Loudoun bolsters their squad, Transfer Deadline Day in Europe, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Morning everyone! We finally got above freezing yesterday, but this snowcrete ain't going anywhere any time soon. I've basically spent the last week and a half indoors and out of sheer boredom I caught the Grammys on Sunday night for the first time ever (this is relevant further down). I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was (or maybe my threshold for entertainment has been so whittled down) and the…

Loudoun continues to recruit. Transfer deadline day had a bit of drama involving Ronaldo and Benzema. And I watched the Grammys for the first time! This and more in your Tuesday Freedom Kicks

Ryan with the yeoman’s work covering Loudoun United. A great read as always.

Arsenal win Women’s Champions Cup, DC United preseason begins, and more: Groundhog Day Freedom Kicks Happy Monday, everyone. It's Groundhog Day...again. Let's start off by getting the weather prediction from Phil...no, the other Phil: February 1st also marked the start of Black History Month. Throughout February, I hope everyone will take the time each day to read a story on Black History, a Black athlete whose story you may not know or want to learn more about, and to uplift and center the Black journalists and creators who are doing work to keep this history alive while making some of their own.

Arsenal win Women’s Champions Cup, DC United preseason begins, and more: Groundhog Day Freedom Kicks

Happy Monday, everyone. It's Groundhog Day...again. Let's start off by getting the weather prediction from Phil...no, the other Phil: February 1st also marked the start of Black History Month.…

New DC Power FC additions hope they can bring production and wins in spring season DC Power FC begin the spring portion of the 2025-26 season next weekend on the road to Sporting Jacksonville, and while they have endured a 6-week winter break, they have remained busy. DC Power has made several changes to their roster, capped off by four signings that have been finalized in the past couple of weeks. DC Power made some cuts, agreeing to contract terminations by mutual consent with forward Margie Detrizio and midfielders Charlie Estcourt and Katie Duong.

DC Power has brought in 4 players who they hope will help the club get into the playoffs. @blazindw.bsky.social reports on what each of them bring to the tabl

DC United announces preseason roster DC United is fully in preseason mode, and now we have a training roster. Today, the Black-and-Red announced their preseason roster of 29 players who have traveled for training in California to prepare for the 2026 Major League Soccer season. DC United have made a flurry of moves during this offseason, from the draft to transfers. The club has brought in Tai Baribo and Louis Munteanu as Designated Players and have added new players in every position group.

#DCU has announced their preseason roster ahead of the start of the Coachella Valley Invitational next weekend.

Crystal Dunn retires, Apple TV cutting Spanish-language coverage of MLS, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks It's Friday! We are still largely snowed in here in DC. I've made it out of the house a little bit the past couple of evenings but remain very nervous to move my car. I just know someone is going to try to steal the parking spot we carved out of the ice the first time I try to buy groceries.

It's Friday! And today we're talking about Crystal Dunn's retirement, a busy offseason for DC Power, and changes to Apple TV's MLS coverage.

International Round Up: How Did The Spirit Players Fare? With camp occurring outside of a normal FIFA international window, the USWNT drew upon a roster of domestic-based players for their matches against Paraguay and Chile. The absence of some Europe-based regulars didn’t phase the US in the least. The USWNT routed Paraguay 6-0 in Carson. Three nights later, a similar story played out in Santa Barbara, with the US downing Chile 5-0.

The January camp is over and the #USWNT routed both Paraguay and Chile. How did the five Spirit player in camp do? How many times did a Spirit player get coach Emma Hayes to dance? Read our summary here.
#ThatsTheSpirit

DC Power Extend Fitch, USL W Divisions Announced, Gotham Falls, a Goalie Goal, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks Happy Thursday everyone. I hope everyone enjoyed the snow and are now sufficiently dugout and free to move about. Yesterday was a wild day of action. Let's get straight to the headlines. DC Power FC Sign Susanna Fitch to a Contract Extension Through 2026/27 (DC Power FC) DC Power FC's captain has extended her stay in The District. Fitch's deal will last through the 2026/2027 season and includes a team option that could push the deal to the end of the 2027/2028 season.

Happy Thursday. Today we cover DC Power continuing to lock in their roster, Gotham falling, a crazy day in the UEFA Champions League and much more.

Spirit Preseason Roster Announced, Loudoun United Plans, US National Team Updates, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks Not going to lie, today's Freedom Kicks is quite heavy on USWNT and USMNT content. And that's the way I like it today. Hope you're dug out of the DMV snow at this point. On to the news! Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone on leadership, club momentum and women’s health — with insights from VHC Health’s Dr. Walsh- Washington Business Journal…

Spirit Preseason Roster Announced, Loudoun United Plans, US National Team Updates, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks

Not going to lie, today's Freedom Kicks is quite heavy on USWNT and USMNT content. And that's the way I like it today. Hope you're dug out of the DMV snow at this point. On to the…

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Loudoun United take to 2026 with a new coach, a new identity and new organizational imprint, as their President Karl Sharman and Sporting Director Alen Marcina shared with us recently.

https://thedistrictpress.com/2026/01/28/loudoun-united-alen-marcina-abdellatif-aboukoura-quimi-ordonez/

DCU re-sign Bono, Spirit sign Martinez, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks! I was blessed with a bevy of news to share! Almost all of the DC area team made some roster moves. Lots of thoughtful pieces as well. Let’s talk footy and drink some hot coffee! ☕️⚽️❄️

DCU re-sign Bono, Spirit sign Martinez, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks!

episode graphic with photo of Trinity Rodman at her contract signing

🌸NEW POD🌸

Annie, Ella & André discuss the league finally allowing Trinity Rodman to re-sign with the Spirit, and how it feels like a new chapter. Then we dive into all of the roster news so far!

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/14Kd...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso

USWNT win, 2027 Women’s World Cup logo revealed, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks Happy Monday, everyone. This is what I live for: snow!! We got quite a bit of it Saturday night and Sunday, and hopefully all of you are able to remain home and let the snowplows do their thing. I still have to work, so I as sip some coffee and dive into that among the backdrop of a winter wonderland, here's some news from the weekend:

The #USWNT's win and #FIFAWWC branding has us talking on this snow day of a Monday!

USWNT vs. Paraguay, January 2026 Friendly: Preview, Time, and How to Watch It's the first U.S. Women's National Team match of 2026! As part of their January camp, the team will face Paraguay, just the third time historically these teams have played. Newly re-signed Washington Spirit player Trinity Rodman will captain the team for the first time in today's match. She's joined by a bevy of NWSL talent, including several of her own teammates: Tara Rudd (née McKeown), Kate Wiesner, Croix Bethune, and Hal Hershfelt.

It's time for the first USWNT game of 2026!! Five Washington Spirit players will be representing the US, led by Captain Trin, and fans will get the opportunity to check out a rumored player on the other side.

Rodman signs new deal with Washington, new MLS transfer windows and roster rules, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks Happy Friday! I hope you are all sufficiently prepared for The Snowstorm this weekend. I unfortunately still need to pick up a few things from the grocery store and make some attempts to winterize my house before it hits, so I fear I am in for a long day. Trinity Rodman is BACK (The District Press)Yesterday's Spirit mystery press conference was finally revealed to be the announcement of Trinity Rodman's new contract with the team.

Happy Friday! Today we're talking about Trinity Rodman's new contract (of course), Tai Baribo's slated role with D.C. United, and Gabby Carle's love of hockey.