Esme Morgan on this whole scene: "They were just having a great time up there, like the standing section was absolutely packed. And I thought, I want to get involved. So, yeah, just clambered on the little platform that they have, and Trin handed me a flag, and I was waving it."

I think - at least for now, until it comes back to bite me - that Cincinnati beating Columbus is better for the Union. You want Miami going to Cincinnati, not hosting Columbus. I think.

Columbus Crew’s elimination means Darlington Nagbe has played his final game. Salute to a certified legend.

Would guess that was why MLS’s officials determined not to have Obed Vargas retake his attempt.

"She shows what she is: one of the best goalkeepers in this league and in this country." Esme Morgan, Hal Hershfelt, and Adrián González on the impact Aubrey Kingsbury has on opponents in shootouts, and Kingsbury's reaction to her colleagues' praise:

How do you not mark the guy whose whole thing is running at the back post?

Kate Scott reports that she made her train back to Philadelphia by two minutes, and will be at the arena in time.

Esther González is officially questionable for tomorrow, the NWSL says.

"That goal, I dedicate to all of the Spirit fans, and also my dad. He was my first coach and made me what I am today. ... I know my dad is with me, and he's giving me the strength to keep going, and this goal was the proof." - Gift Monday on scoring in her first game since her father's passing

‪…and is shown a (soft!) straight red card moments later. ‬

Folarin Balogun scores Monaco’s equalizer against Lens from the penalty spot. Fourth goal in 10 Ligue 1 games this season for Balo. #USMNT

SOCCER IS FUN

That Aubrey Kingsbury chant comes from a deep place in D.C. soccer history, and it might have awoken some ghosts. Two saves and a psych-out in the shootout to send the Spirit on.

Aubrey Kingsbury makes her sixth save of the day to bring the curtain down on extra time.

Joe Scally goes the distance, while Gio Reyna subs in at the 75th minute (there were 14 minutes of stoppage time) in Borussia Moenchengladbach's 3-1 win over FC Koln in the Rhine Derby. Gladbach now up to 12th(!) in the Bundesliga standings. Good to see Reyna get some more minutes. #usmnt

Tara McKeown is absolutely crushed to have to go off. We’ll see what the injury is, but that is quite a scene.

This is the 12th NWSL playoff game all-time to go to extra-time. The away team has won just 3 times. Only 2 of the previous 11 went to PKs — both involved the Spirit (2016 final, 2024 semi). Every WAS playoff HOME game has gone to ET, and they've advanced every time!

1-1 after regulation. Extra time beckons.

92nd minute Louisville equalizer. Courtney Petersen with a big hit over Washington’s back line, and Kayla Fischer sticks it. Still six minutes of stoppage time to go.

I deeply respect Gift Monday's vulnerability on her personal social media over the recent loss of her father. She penned a very lovely letter to his memory.

73' 1-0 Washington, and that one stands. Gift Monday with a big jump to beat Ellie Jean to Rosemonde Kouassi's cross from the right. Audi Field erupts.

#NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman spoke at halftime. She declined to explicitly confirm her widely reported contract extension ("I'm gonna still say that I intend to be here.") and was asked (Q: @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social) about the league's gender policy. Berman's full answer.

Eight minutes of stoppage time, which as a friend points out means "Free DC!" chants in both halves today.

Vid of offside from a friend at the game. Pretty quickly leads to goal so probably right call. #NWSL #WASvLOU

As best as I can bootleg it for @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social and @theolloydhughes.bsky.social, the play that was deemed offside (and I’m not saying I agree with the call) is the last pass in this short clip.

Trying to resolve this from the press box, and there's not an angle on the broadcast that shows Santos' positioning in relation to Louisville's deepest defender, who is inside the 6. Replays showed the wrong part of the sequence.

29' Gabrielle Carle races back to stop a Louisville attack, slips as she catches up to the defender, and is down in quite some pain. (CBS takes the opportunity to play an ad, of course...)

It’s the phase before the shross, with this interchange between Kouassi and Santos. it does look marginally off.

17' 1-0 Washington. That was no broken corner, that was a trick play, and Rosemonde Kouassi just caught Louisville cold... ... unless VAR says otherwise.

One-way traffic in the Spirit's favor so far, with Leicy Santos conducting. Great crowd, still filling in but clearly on its way to a big number. Eye-catching in the bright yellow, too. (My heart says D.C. is more inclined to go all-black for a big game, but this pops.)

That's pretty good.

The Spirit begin their repeat bid at an NWSL final appearance today, and the Deja vu to last year is palpable. Got a chance to catch up with Croix Bethune this week to chat about it justwomenssports.com/reads/washin...

“Once he’s physically mature enough” is the key clause. He’s on his way there, and should get there next year. But the difference just from 15 to 16 is big.

Coming up next on CBS Sports: the National Women’s Soccer League. (With @katetscott.bsky.social and @lorilindsey6.bsky.social on the call, too.)

Trinity Rodman (questionable, knee) is on the bench for the #NWSL quarterfinal.

Fran McCaffery hasn’t had much time to get the Penn men’s basketball team ready, but he likes where the Quakers are so far. The names and games to know on 33rd Street as the Palestra’s 99th season begins tonight: www.inquirer.com/college-spor...

The Union are in talks for a new record signing at striker. Here’s what I know about Ezekiel Alladoh so far. The deal isn’t done yet, but it seems to be well down the track: www.inquirer.com/soccer/ezeki...

Unrivaled has set the matchups for its doubleheader in Philly in January. Natasha Cloud, Kahleah Copper, Paige Bueckers and Napheesa Collier top the list of who will play. Here are all the details - including the big names who won’t be here: www.inquirer.com/wnba/unrival...

☎️

Would the guy in a Union hat I’m walking behind please report to the nearest #NWSL marketing department...

WASHINGTON —

#USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson's first Women's Super League goal is a cool, calm, precise strike to give Chelsea the lead against Arsenal in a London Derby. www.espn.com/video/clip/_...

Lauren Barnes played her last pro game tonight: 252 #NWSL regular season appearances, 21,000+ minutes -- the only player to ever achieve either, and she did it entirely in Seattle. End of an era.

Marta just delivered an epic range of emotions in the postgame press conference. She got choked up talking about the Pride's internal support, then snapped out of it: “But at the same time I like when people talk so much shit about Pride and don’t give credit, because it makes me feel good." #NWSL

New @dailyhivevancouver.bsky.social #VWFC’s current lease at BC Place needs improvement in several areas to help with the long term viability of the team in Vancouver. #MLS Commissioner Don Garber was clear with his message to politicians, press, and business leaders. dailyhive.com/vancouver/wh...

T.J. Power starts the opener after all that. Against Rowan, but still.

To a night for honoring the words of one of Philadelphia’s great sages, @dhm.bsky.social: Go out and watch some basketball. defector.com/go-out-and-w...

I’m told that over 16,000 tickets have been sold so far, by the way.

Sources: MLS Next Pro side AC Grand Rapids have named Darrius Barnes club president. AC Grand Rapids joins MLS Next Pro in 2027. Barnes is club's first hire. Barnes previously worked with Charlotte FC & Crown Legacy FC, where he was named 2023 MLS Next Pro Executive of the Year

A very good day in print, too. inquirer.com/jtannenwald