PJ Ryan
@pjryansoccer.bsky.social
Jersey boy who somehow ended up in Minnesota by way of DC. I love sports, but sometimes am really frustrated by them. I chip in at https://thedistrictpress.com and https://northlandsoccer.com. Views are my own.
Algeria 🇩🇿, Cameroon 🇨🇲, Ivory Coast 🇨🇮, and Nigeria 🇳🇬 advance to the #WAFCON 2026 knockout phase, 5 of 6 Spirit players have a chance to make the World Cup. Every Spirit player will face a teammate. 🇨🇲 vs 🇳🇬 and 🇩🇿 vs 🇨🇮. Best case scenario is two teams qualify, two go to the intercontinental playoff.
Taking this, the comments from Racing today, and Spokane Zephyr folding back in May all together it seems that the biggest impediment to the growth continued of women’s soccer in the US is the actual team owners.
Jack@jacknowland.bsky.social · 5h agoCharlie Brown had hoes ass commentary Angie
The Malawi Scorchers are making the most of their first trip to the #WAFCON tournament, advancing out of a tough group and into the quarterfinals. @grace-hprince.bsky.social wrote about the match and what it meant for Malawi.
Malawi advance to knockout stage in first WAFCON tournament | The IX Soccer
NWSL stars Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda met in the final match of group stage with a trip to the WAFCON semifinals on the line.
theixsports.com
‼️ ⚽️ Top FIFA officials including Matias Grafstrom, the CEO who made peace with Gianni Infantino, signed off on the plan to sell the World Cup after a secret meeting in New York the day before the World Cup final. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/b...
FIFA Executives Were Given Ultimatum to Approve World Cup Privatization Plan (Gift Article)
The day before the World Cup final, key FIFA figures faced a stunning demand to sign off on a multibillion-dollar privatization project.
nytimes.com
Monique Ngock starts on the bench for Cameroon 🇨🇲 against Cape Verde 🇨🇻. #ThatstheSpirit
some USMNT players have suggested the Balogun red card reversal negatively impacted the team, but this is the first I've seen of a player saying it was actually the wrong decision
USMNT star Malik Tillman says Balogun red card ban should have stood
U.S. men's national team midfielder Malik Tillman believes Folarin Balogun's red card suspension in the World Cup should not have been overturned.
usatoday.com
Next week, we will have a full season preview for DC Power FC over at @districtpressdc.bsky.social ahead of the season opener next Saturday against Carolina Ascent. Expect the full roster to be finalized in the coming days.
Inbox: DC Power FC has announced the signing of Baylor defender Hallie Augustyn for the Fall 2026 sprint season. Augustyn had 9 goals in 79 appearances over four season with Baylor, starting every match for the Bears last season on their run to the Sweet 16.
That's a Bold Strategy Cotton Meme
ALT: That's a Bold Strategy Cotton Meme
static.klipy.com
Jonathan Tannenwald@jtannenwald.bsky.social · yesterdayIt was almost certainly a Photoshop job (or worse), but did Cruz Azul invoke the Rocky statue curse? @sprtswtr.bsky.social ponders: www.inquirer.com/soccer/cruz-... via @phillysport.bsky.social
First; thanks for the good timing boosts from last night. Second, please read my thoughts on Loudoun beating Hartford Saturday and playing DC last night, all on @datacentersoccer.bsky.social datacentersoccer.substack.com/p/loudoun-2-...
Loudoun 2, Hartford 0: Hey how about that?
Some good and some...distraction from the last few days.
datacentersoccer.substack.com
Leading fearlessly ⚡️ Washington Spirit Head Coach Adrián González has earned July Coach of the Month honors! Get the full scoop: www.nwslsoccer.com/news/washing...
Today’s DMV #WAFCON rooting guide: - 4 PM ET - Monique Ngock and Cameroon 🇨🇲 face Cape Verde 🇨🇻 as the group stage concludes. #ThatstheSpirit
Happy Thursday! We've got the inaugural DMV Derby results, a look at the factors behind the Spirit's consistency, WAFCON results, and FIFA drama. All that and more in Thursday Freedom Kicks.
Inaugural DMV Derby, Consistent Spirits, Richie Aman, FIFA Drama, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday Everyone. I'm back on my normal day. We're in the time of the year where like half of my extended family have a birthday. Because so many of them were born in the 90's I've been on a real 90's music kick. In fact, I've been rocking out to a 90's R&B playlist while I work on this. It was quite delightful Now, let's ride.
thedistrictpress.com
Spoiler Warning for new Ted Lasso……. When they cut to the scene at the KC game, I definitely dropped a “F—- Gotham” on reflex.
Having said that, Malawi in with at least a shot at the World Cup. People run a lot of numbers in this sport. But sometimes "we have Chawingas and you don't," trumps all. An amazing story already that could become more magical.
Photos from Minnesota United vs San Diego FC from 1 August 2026 for @northlandsoccer.com . Full gallery here: northlandsoccer.com/photo-galler...
DCU and Loudoun Meet at Audi, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks We're in the last month of summer in the US. I could attempt to wax lyrical, but, I'll just say it: I'm ready for it to be cold....
DCU and Loudoun Meet at Audi, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
We're in the last month of summer in the US. I could attempt to wax lyrical, but, I'll just say it: I'm ready for it to be cold. On to the news! I would be remise if I didn't promote the DCU vs LU DMV Derby at Audi Field tonight. Congratulations to Thor. How often do you get to say that?
thedistrictpress.com
Today’s DMV #WAFCON Group C schedule: - Deb Abiodun, Gift Monday, and Nigeria 🇳🇬 face Egypt 🇪🇬 needing a win to book a place in the knockout round. - No Spirit players involved, but the other Group C game is must watch for NWSL fans too. Temwa Chawinga and Malawi 🇲🇼 face Barbra Banda and Zambia 🇿🇲 .
Today at #WAFCON in Group B : - Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 defeats Tanzania 🇹🇿 2-1. - South Africa 🇿🇦 beats Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 1-0. Ivory Coast wins the group and South Africa advances to the knockout stage.
Rose Koussi with the start for Les Éléphants 🇨🇮 against Tanzania 🇹🇿. Alimata Bélem anchoring the backline for Burkina Faso against Bayana Banyana 🇿🇦 . It’s #WAFCON Group B action.
Big move for DC Power FC as they acquire Mak Whitham on loan from Gotham FC for the 2026 fall sprint season. Whitham, who set the record for youngest debut in NWSL history, will look to gain playing time to develop with DC Power.
Could she please just speak like a human being for 5 minutes?
Rachael@rachaelt.bsky.social · 2d agoSarah is now talking about the adjacent activations and asks if there were any highlights for Berman. she says absolutely, that there was a bus that very intentionally weaved through men's world cup cities and NWSL cities and was the connective tissue between all of those markets.
🌸NEW EP🌸 Annie, Ella & André are back as a trio After catching up, we dive into assessing the Spirit's performance during a jam-packed stretch. We discuss positives and negatives, then dive into a WAFCON update. 🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/2HUG... 🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso
The smoke stack at MLS HQ in NY signals that there's a new commissioner to take over Don Garber after 27(!!!) years. Also Pochettino commits to the #USMNT until 2030. This and more in your Tuesday Freedom Kicks!
Pochettino Commits to USMNT, There’s a New Commish in Town, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Morning DC Footy Folk! I hope everyone had a good, soccer filled weekend! I attended the Salvadoran Heritage Night at Audi Field this past weekend! This was my first in person DCU game in probably a year or so. The vibes are definitely much better now. Personally, I loved seeing all of the El Salvador kits at the stadium. It's great to see the team reconnect with one of the biggest and most supportive fan groups in the area.
thedistrictpress.com
Today’s DMV Group B #WAFCON rooting guide: - Rose Kouassi and group leading Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 face Tanzania 🇹🇿. - Alimata Bélem and Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 face South Africa 🇿🇦 . Both games at 4 PM ET.
#WAFCON Update: - Algeria 🇩🇿 2 - Kenya 🇰🇪 0 - Morocco 🇲🇦 0 - Senegal 🇸🇳 0 Morocco and Algeria advance. Tomorrow: - Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 vs South Africa 🇿🇦 - Ivory Coast 🇨🇮 vs Tanzania 🇹🇿
I wrote something positive about #LeaguesCup, mostly having to do with massively changing the competition.
Northland Soccer Journal@northlandsoccer.com · 3d ago#LeaguesCup begins tomorrow and while the competition has provided some good football it really could and should be much more.
DC-area teams went 1-1-1 over the weekend at home. We discuss them and more in the Freedom Kicks.
DC United draw, Spirit lose, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. It was a triple home match weekend for the DC local teams, so we begin with the 2 at Audi Field... D.C. United recover to stun Nashville SC in 2-2 draw (GLS) A huge comeback by the Black-and-Red to draw Nashville, the top team in the league. They are back on the field this week for the DMV Derby friendly against Loudoun United.
thedistrictpress.com
