Snag today's Style section for my profile of "Wake Up Dead Man" director Rian Johnson. Among the topics we touched on: How he's making the Benoit Blanc films more personal, the misnomer that he sets out to subvert expectations and, of course, his inspirations in musical theater. wapo.st/4oYNDnb

Overlooked for the 2026 men’s World Cup, D.C. is (as expected) prominently featured in the bid book submitted by U.S. Soccer and its partners for the 2031 women’s World Cup. digitalhub.fifa.com/m/12af6ec142...

“He’s an incredibly important director, and I don’t mean that lightly,” Daniel Craig says. “Wherever the industry is heading … having someone like Rian around means that great movies are still going to get made.” Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:

Trinity Rodman is out of contract. Can the Washington Spirit keep her amid interest from abroad? Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle and Emma Hayes weigh in on this inflection point for the #NWSL.

“I think it’s a big shock. This group completely believed that we would win. There was really no scenario where we didn’t lift that trophy today.” The Washington Spirit’s run ends again in the NWSL final — this time against Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC. Reporting from PayPal Park:

Checking in from PayPal Park, where there are no surprises in the Washington Spirit lineup for tonight’s #NWSL final against Gotham. Here are the starters: Kingsbury; Morgan, Bernal, McKeown, Wiesner; Santos, Hershfelt, Bethune; Kouassi, Cantore; Monday Rodman is available off the bench.

No pro franchise in town has leaned into the District, its residents and the issues they care about the way the Spirit has. Column from @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social

Greetings from PayPal Park, where Spirit Coach Adrián González confirmed that defender Gabrielle Carle (hamstring) will not be available to play in the NWSL final. That's not a surprise — Carle was jogging on the side with Andi Sullivan and not participating in training today.

The #USMNT ended 2025 with a rotated squad, a stunning 5-1 rout of Uruguay and some fiery words from Mauricio Pochettino. Reporting from Tampa, I broke down what that means for the World Cup squad and offered an updated projection for the final 26-man roster.

Greetings from Tampa, where the #USMNT has made nine changes: Freese; Freeman, Trusty, McKenzie; Dest, Berhalter, Morris, Tolkin; Tillman, Luna; Wright. Storylines to watch … — Freeman gets a shot at right center back. — McKenzie and Trusty’s audition. — Can Wright build off the Australia game?

Sports and theater might seem like an odd duo, but they’ve been teaming up frequently this fall: "Damn Yankees," "Red Pitch," "Bull Durham," "Chess." So I saw 'em all and wrote about the uncanny connections between athletics and the arts.

All eyes were on Gio Reyna in his #USMNT return. He rose to the occasion. Breaking down Reyna's return, Joe Scally's audition and more after the Americans' 2-1 win over Paraguay in Chester.

The Washington Spirit is going back to the NWSL championship match. From our @ellabrockway.bsky.social:

Adrian Gonzalez says last week's win over Racing was physically/emotionally taxing, & he's really pleased that the team could bring that same energy today. "I think the team has done a great job being locked in, believing until the end, playing as we want to be, with the personality that we have."

Trinity Rodman in the mixed zone: “My focus has been winning this championship and then the next steps come after that. … Once we get this championship, then I can start making decisions and figuring out what next year looks like.” #NWSL

Sullivan, Krueger and Hatch on maternity leave. Rodman sidelined most of the year. A midseason coaching change. It truly speaks to the culture, chemistry and depth of this Spirit squad that it found its way back to the #NWSL final anyway.

The Washington Spirit is playing for a return trip to the NWSL final, and having a healthy Croix Bethune is a major reason. Find my profile of the Olympic gold medalist on the front of Saturday’s Sports section.

“My body can do really great at healing itself and bouncing back. It sucks to say that, but I’d rather know.” After three torn ACLs and a first pitch gone awry, Croix Bethune is thriving once more for the Washington Spirit — and one game away from at last playing in an NWSL final.

At Spirit training, where Coach Adrián González was fairly coy regarding the status of Tara McKeown (ankle) and Gabrielle Carle (hamstring). "We need to see how the week goes," he said. Both players were held out of full training. And Trinity Rodman? "I think she's on track," González said.

“Rhea would say that when she was younger, people wouldn’t think she was a leading lady. That blows my mind, because you watch this, and you’re like, ‘You’re nothing but a leading lady.’” D.C. theater alum Rhea Seehorn stole scenes in “Better Call Saul.” In “Pluribus,” she’s the star. My profile:

“At some point, we’d like to win a playoff game in 90 minutes and do it the easy way. But it’s also more exciting this way.” Another playoff game, another exhilarating Spirit win. Reporting from Audi Field on Washington’s shootout triumph over Louisville:

The #USWNT got a “kick up the backside” in a 2-1 loss to Portugal. Can the Americans learn from it?

Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica have joined the unopposed U.S. bid to host the 2031 women’s World Cup

Good news for the Spirit and #USWNT: Trinity Rodman only suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in her right knee, which comes with a typical recovery of 1-3 weeks

Healthy, in form and playing without pain, Trinity Rodman is at last back with the #USWNT

Takeaways from last night’s #USMNT win over Australia in Commerce City: Haji Wright staked his claim to a World Cup spot, Cristian Roldan emerged as Mauricio Pochettino’s “perfect player” and more

Greetings from Commerce City. Here is the #USMNT lineup that’ll face Australia (formation is my educated guess): Freese; M. Robinson, Richards, McKenzie; Freeman, Roldan, Sands, Weah; McKennie, Wright, Pulisic

Folarin Balogun is a game changer. The formation isn’t always what it seems. Chris Richards is the anchor (whether he likes it or not). Reporting from Austin, I broke down these storylines and more after the #USMNT played Ecuador to a 1-1 draw.

Greetings from Q2 Stadium, where the #USMNT faces Ecuador in an hour. Here in the U.S. lineup: Freese; Robinson, Richards, Ream; Weah, Morris, Tessmann, Arfsten; Tillman, McKennie; Balogun.

Weston McKennie’s role, injury concerns and a new formation — here are the storylines to watch as the #USMNT takes on Ecuador and Australia. Reporting from Austin:

“It’s very simple: The team is too weak.” As D.C. United’s home slate ends with another defeat, here’s a look at the club’s vision to finally get back on track (with quotes from René Weiler, Erkut Sogut and Jason Levien)

Mauricio Pochettino has called in a full-strength squad (more or less) for the USMNT's October friendlies. Among the headlines: — McKennie, Robinson, Tillman and Turner are back. — Sands and Morris return after long absences. — No Scally, Musah or Sargent.

During the shutdown, federal employees can take advantage of deals like: • Free Washington Spirit tickets • Free museum admission • All-day happy hours • Parties with free food and drinks Our growing list of specials (gift link): wapo.st/3WgocR9

In an uncanny convergence of my coverage areas, I reviewed “Red Pitch,” a soccer-centric West End play getting a winning U.S. premiere at Olney Theatre Center

Not only got to see Marvin Joseph at work on this one — I got to be his impromptu photo assistant for this lovely shoot at the MLK Memorial. (Adding that new skill to my resume immediately.)

“I can’t play an icon. But I can bring all the attributes of Martin that made him iconic, and that is his human decency, his empathy.” Profiled Ro Boddie, the D.C. actor who is portraying Martin Luther King Jr. for the fifth — fifth! — time in “The American Five” at Ford’s Theatre.

Want to see a Broadway show without breaking the bank? Here’s everything you need to know about rush, lottery, standing room, apps, discount codes and more.

On this #Emmys evening, might as well re-up a profile or two (or three) ... Whatever it takes to be a Gotham City villain, Cristin Milioti has it

Today’s Sunday Arts cover: My profile of the enduring, ever-transformative Jude Law, alongside Jesse Dittmar’s gorgeous portraits. wapo.st/4gkylWd

In which Robert De Niro wanders into a Jude Law profile www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

“He keeps making a left when you think he’s going to make a right.” Whether he’s playing a surly philosopher, a hustling restaurateur or Vladimir Putin, Jude Law is one of Hollywood’s most daring A-listers. For Sunday Arts, I profiled the enduring, transformative star of Netflix’s “Black Rabbit.”

What did we learn about the #USMNT during the September friendlies? Breaking it down for @postsports.bsky.social — and taking a stab at projecting Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man World Cup squad.

“It’s been a tough go recently,” Christian Pulisic said. “We wanted to walk away with some confidence, with a good feeling going into the next camps — and obviously going and leading into a World Cup year.” Reporting from Columbus on the #USMNT and its pressure-alleviating 2-0 win over Japan.

Christian Pulisic on his relationship with #USMNT Coach Mauricio Pochettino: "We have good conversations, honestly. ... Things are good. We spoke, we had a normal camp, and everything is good between us, good between the team. There's probably not as much drama as you guys think."

Checking in from Lower.com Field in Columbus, where the #USMNT is facing Japan and Mauricio Pochettino seems to be trying out a 3-4-2-1 (as was telegraphed during his presser yesterday). Freese; Blackmon, Richards, Ream; Freeman, Roldan, Adams, Arfsten; Pulisic, Zendejas; Balogun

The #USMNT is falling flat ahead of the World Cup. Can it learn from this?

Greetings from picturesque Columbus, where the #USMNT squad is down to 23 after Sean Zawadzki withdrew with a knee injury suffered last week in training.

“That’s Trin. Old Trin, new Trin — she’s back.” Reporting from Audi Field as Trinity Rodman scores twice in the Spirit’s 2-0 win over Seattle, logs her first 90 minutes in months and introduces the new version of her game-breaking self.

Reporting from New Jersey on Christian Pulisic's USMNT return and the underwhelming loss to South Korea that emphasized how far this team still has to go before the World Cup — even with a slew of regulars back in the picture

Greetings from Harrison, where I’m on #USMNT vs. South Korea duty for @postsports.bsky.social. A few storylines to watch … - Pulisic’s return. - Dest’s first U.S. game in 17 months. - Tristan Blackmon’s audition at CB. - Freese, Arfsten, Luna and Berhalter get their shot alongside the big guns.