D.C. United's attempt to build a new soccer stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, hits a snag after the project did not receive any state funding. Read more at @wtopnews.bsky.social:

Making sense of Jamaica's failure to make the 2026 World Cup and what it says about the health of men's soccer in Concacaf as a whole. open.substack.com/pub/getconca...

“The hope for both of us is that even though we’re the first, we won’t be the last.” Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, made history hiring two women to lead the Colonials varsity football and baseball programs. My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

FINAL: France, using most of its reserves, easily dispatch Colombia 3-1, solidifying itself as a favorite to win the World Cup this summer.

NEW: Announced sell-out crowd of 60,734 at Northwest Stadium for Colombia vs. France. According to a news release, it is the highest attended international friendly in the venue's history. It is also 2nd largest attended soccer match in the stadium’s history.

7': Both Colombia and France are trading shots early, and this pro-Colombian crowd at Northwest Stadium have already started doing the wave. I will give updates here & on Bluesky. If you plan to drive, keep up with the sports world with on :25 and :55 on @wtopnews.bsky.social.

Arriving at Northwest Stadium for an international friendly between Colombia and France. Colombian fans are outnumbering French supporters and have brought the party. #Colombia 🇨🇴

Kylian Mbappé joins Aurélien Tchouaméni at French training.

Not only does the @washingtonpost.com have the wrong team winning. They also got the score wrong in the subhead.

The French men's national team returns to training at Northwest Stadium in Landover before tomorrow's high-profile friendly against Colombia. Kylian Mbappé is back in training after not attending Friday's session. A temporary pitch was placed over the turf for this match.

“All the big names will be there. It’ll be all to play for.” France and Colombia face off in a high-profile friendly in Maryland on Sunday, months before the FIFA World Cup. I spoke with broadcaster Jamie Watson about the match and what fans should expect. My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

If you have plans to hit Downtown D.C. this weekend, prepare for a travel nightmare. From the cherry blossoms to "No Kings" demonstrations to March Madness, here's what you need to know to avoid long traffic delays in D.C. More on @wtopnews.bsky.social:

So when Louis Munteanu transferred to DC, Cluj didn’t pay a contractual obligation of 250k Euros to him, and if they don’t do it by the end of the month, Cluj loses eligibility to UEFA competitions for 2026-27

DCU bringing Gavin Turner on for his first appearance of 2026 (and 2nd MLS minutes ever), along with Hosei Kijima. Hopkins and Pirani come off, Turner now playing the 2nd FW role slightly underneath Baribo. Kijima on the right, Clark staying on the left.

“The weather is great outside; (March Madness) is one of the best sporting events of the year.” On the second day of #MarchMadness, many college basketball fans took in the action at several D.C.-area bars and restaurants. See more at @wtopnews.bsky.social:

PRETTY SURE CANTORE MEANS BANGERS ONLY IN ITALIAN

AVAILABILITY REPORT #Loovull OUT: DeMelo (Illness), DiGrande (ML), Sekany (Knee - SEI) ???: Lardner (Lower Body), McMahon (Lower Body), Morris (Lower Body), Wright (Upper Body) ✨Spirits✨ OUT: Ashley Hatch (ML), Aubrey Kingsbury (ML), Casey Krueger (ML)

🌏🏆 The Asian Football Confederation qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup has concluded: Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, the Philippines and North Korea are heading to Brazil. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei will head to FIFA inter-continental playoff with a chance to qualify.

Good thread of today's Washington Spirit press conference before this week's match, including Gabby Carle's shopping habits.

The baddest soccer podcast in the land is back with a brand new episode as myself and @joseumana.bsky.social breakdown @washingtonspirit.com home opener against @portlandthornsfc.bsky.social and @dcunitedofficial.bsky.social win on the road. open.spotify.com/episode/3BQ5...

Hey Spirit fam, let’s show Gotham FC what it feels like to sell out a stadium 😎 District vs Empire takes on Citi Field. July 15th. 8pm ET.

Pickleball looks deceiving but it has attracted new players, young and old. But as #pickleball grows in popularity, many older players are getting hurt more frequently. A D.C.-area based doctor explain why and how to avoid injuries. Read more at @wtopnews.bsky.social:

BREAKING: Catarina Macario is joining the San Diego Wave on the largest contract in total dollars in NWSL history. She'll be paid a shade under $8 million in fully guaranteed money over the next five seasons. More via @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/personalitie...

“We know when kids have places where they can move, connect and build community, the impact can last a lifetime.” A new multiuse soccer field is coming to a neighborhood in Southeast D.C., thanks to the @washingtonspirit.com & CVS Health. My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

In a statement to @wtopnews.bsky.social, @chicagofire.bsky.social said additional security was deployed to the area where "an individual was reported to have made a derogatory remark toward a player on the field." See their full statement below. #cf97 #dcu

ICYMI: D.C. United's road match against the Chicago Fire Saturday night was briefly paused following a report of discriminatory language used toward #DCU striker Tai Baribo. More on @wtopnews.bsky.social:

DC Power FC, per sources, finalizing a contract with Virginia defender Kiki Maki through the end of the season. Maki was in camp with the Utah Royals during the preseason before entering talks with DC Power. Provides more defensive options as the team pushes for the playoffs. #USLSL

Response from PRO to pool reporter question on why the referee called the coaches over in the Fire - DC United game. Tai Baribo seemed to want to get the referee's attention #cf97 #VamosFire

Here is #DCU head coach René Weiler's full response on what led to the stoppage and his conversation with the head referee. (Q by @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social)

D.C. United head coach René Weiler said the referee told him and Chicago Fire manager Gregg Berhalter that the stoppage was due to "something negative said from the stands." He said he told the head official that “we don’t have to stop" and "don’t give it the power and the scene." #DCU

Moisés Linares, who's on the call, credited his production team. Here's the rough translation:

According the MLS Spanish broadcast, there are claims of discriminatory language being used from fans in stands in Chicago towards #DCU striker Tai Baribo. The ref spoke to Baribo and both coaches. Play has continued.

New: Formula 1 officially cancels races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to Iran war Top officials for F1 and the FIA announce the decision, citing safety concerns. They WON'T be replaced, meaning no races in April and a 5-week gap between Japan & Miami. www.nbcnews.com/sports/formu...

Spirit fans, would you like roster news, injury updates, thoughts on WAFCON from Deb Abiodun & Gift Monday, & a deep dive from Haley Carter on a whole lot of things? Well, here's the 1st Green Line Soccer Spirit notebook of 2026! This one is free (and long), but the rest will be for subscribers:

The baddest soccer podcast in the land is back with a brand new episode as myself and @joseumana.bsky.social discuss @dcunitedofficial.bsky.social match in Baltimore and preview @washingtonspirit.com season which starts Friday. open.spotify.com/episode/2kIi...

Adrián González says Andi Sullivan has done "an amazing job" to be ready to be activated for the start of the season. "Obviously it's been a while without playing, and she's continuing to build her physicality and her pace." But she's available for selection tomorrow.

"We're not going to have just one person, one captain," says González, who says there will be more details on that front soon. "The most important thing is that [multiple] players can represent the standards we want to have, on and off the field." (? from @risswillett.bsky.social)

other fun notes: — bernal listed as a midfielder — bolt listed with forwards — metayer listed with defenders — everyone's favorite jags fan now has a green card

Orlando City and head coach Oscar Pareja mutually agree to part ways. Pareja joined Orlando ahead of 2020 season. Club missed playoffs in all 5 years before him… then made it in all 6 years with him. Won 2022 US Open Cup. First manager change in MLS this year, just 3 games in.

Washington Spirit and The Washington Informer have announced a new partnership. The collaboration includes a capsule collection with Rose Room Collective inspired by Chocolate City and Cool Disco Dan. Read more in the reply below.

“Mental health can affect the young, it can affect the old, it can affect everyone.” @capitals.bsky.social therapist Kurt Ela details the mental health challenges athletes face before taking part in a special panel tonight at D.C.'s Woolly Mammoth Theater. My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

Announced attendance at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for D.C. United vs. Inter Miami: 72,026 (sellout)

On location at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore where D.C. United "hosts" the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami. Lineups to come shortly. #Messi

‘It can affect everyone’: Capitals therapist details mental health struggles athletes face

“If they wanted to cancel it, they could have done it the right way.” As the Montgomery Co. school board asks why #gymnastics has been cut as an interscholastic sport at 7 high schools, one coach is fighting back to keep it alive. #mcps My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

The @capitals.bsky.social becomes the latest team to release a specialty cherry blossom jersey for the upcoming spring season. But fans who want to score a jersey from D.C.'s hockey team will have to place a bid in a charity auction to get it. Read more on @wtopnews.bsky.social:

Strange times. Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez in the background as Trump talks about how the US is demolishing Iran and calling on Revolutionary Guard to lay down their arms or “face absolutely guaranteed death” before pivoting to suggest Cuba will be next.

This was a magical watch. I cannot believe this happened.

Alright now the baddest soccer podcast in the land is back with a brand new episode as myself and @joseumana.bsky.social discuss @dcunitedofficial.bsky.social first road match of the season in Austin and preview their game against Inter Miami in Baltimore. open.spotify.com/episode/6JVy...

DC United have announced that Richie Aman will join Loudoun United on loan for the 2026 season. It's a chance to get the 1st round draft pick some minutes assuming USL and the USLPA agree on a new collective bargaining agreement in time to start the season. #DCU #LoudAndUnited