Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Morning folks! We don’t have a lot to talk about, what with D.C. United off for almost three weeks and the Washington Spirit not in action again until the weekend. However, Loudoun United plays the Pittsburgh Riverhounds tonight, so you’ve still got some soccer to watch.
Let’s start with a good program from United, who are continuing their Critical Conversations series with Felipe Martins taking part in a discussion of mental health:
Paul Arriola made the league site’s team of the week, while Ola Kamara was named to the bench.
Going back to Loudoun, over the weekend their win at New Mexico United was marred with yet another incident of racist yelling from the stands. Here’s New Mexico’s supporters group calling for the incident to be investigated:
Monday, 24 May 2021
On May 11 this year - incidentally the day after he received his first COVID-19 vaccine immunisation - Phil Mickelson tweeted the following; I’ve failed many times in my life and career and because of this I’ve learned a lot. Instead of feeling defeated countless times, I’ve used it as fuel to drive me to work harder. So today, join me in accepting our failures. Let’s use them to motivate us to work even harder.
Yesterday this serial loser who had fuelled himself to five majors victories added a sixth, in the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, less than a month from his 51
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Running a little late this morning, but we have some notes about D.C. United, and the NWSL Challenge Cup final. Let’s just go right into it:
Would you like to start your day with some frustration? No? Well too bad:
Now, do I think this squares with reality? Not quite. Lopez’s goal was a better chance that it gets credit for because he had a week to size up his shot, and Sorga’s shot on an empty net feels like a much better chance than he was credited with. But also, “feels” vs. actual data, maybe I’m the dummy here.
Caitlin Buckley / Black and Red United
Good morning! I have an unhealthy breakfast, I’m a little late getting to this, and without further adieu, let’s talk about D.C. United, the Washington Spirit, and other soccer teams who were written about on the internet yesterday.
Hernán Losada says #DCU will have to win a lot of physical duels because of San Jose s approach, but he adds that from watching MLS games so far since he arrived, being ready for a physical game will be an every-week thing. Jason Anderson (@JasonDCsoccer) April 29, 2021
Hernán Losada and Felipe Martins talked about tomorrow’s game, which is really tomorrow and Sunday’s game because it will start at 11pm Eastern. The San Jose Earthquakes pose a unique test for United, in that they’ll be the first team that is arguably trying to be even more abrasive to play against than the Black-and-Red.
Normally I’m not one to post much about sponsor posts, but this one’s got a little news in it: FieldTurf says they’re going to start installing a new field at United’s new training facility in April, and that it’ll be a slightly different material than what’s already in place at Segra Field.
Loved this piece from longtime friend of B&RU Dave Clark, who was part of the announcing crew to call what turned out to be the final pre-Covid shutdown game in American pro soccer and tells the story of what that day was like a year later.