"Guys. I was a Marine, okay? I got 200 people out of Afghanistan to Australia. I know a thing or two about visas and immigration." — Haley Carter, with a smile, responding to a question on the Spirit's roster construction and the number of international players from @ellabrockway.bsky.social

NEW EPISODE: @marioamaya28.bsky.social and I chat about the continuing Trinity Rodman contract saga, Christian Benteke waving goodbye to #DCU, and more on the latest edition of the The Bad Hombres FC Podcast! open.spotify.com/episode/436R...

Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi Named 2025 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player for Second Consecutive Season www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-m...

USMNT’s other opponent before World Cup is … sports.yahoo.com/soccer/break...

As things stand now, the NWSL isn’t fighting for Trinity Rodman. It’s fighting against her, and shadowboxing with its own potential in the process. A column, at @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

3 - Emily Fox is the only defender to record multiple assists in each of the last three WSL seasons. Sly.

Garber on Vancouver Whitecaps: The situation "has to change." "The MLS team, its owners, its fans, its players have done everything to earn the support that they're not getting today from the city and province."

DG, asked about promotion/relegation: "Back in the day, I would say never. Today, there's no real point in saying never, because I don't know what the future holds. Look, I certainly never thought we would adapt to the int'l calendar... As a fan, I think it's kind of fun and it's kind of cool..."

MLS commissioner Don Garber speaks at his State of the League address at Audi Field in D.C.

Moving trucks and workers roam the Kennedy Center property as preparations for the #FIFA World Cup draw continue in D.C.

The Washington Spirit make the first splash of the offseason, hiring Haley Carter at President of Soccer Operations. Get to know Haley, and the job ahead. thedistrictpress.com/2025/12/03/w... #nwsl #woso

“Thank you to D.C. United for giving me the opportunity to grow and prove myself in MLS.” ICYMI: Just days after D.C. United announced it was not picking up the final year on his contract, striker Christian Benteke says he is leaving the MLS club.

The update from the Thorns end-of-year roster email that everyone was waiting to see: "The Thorns are in discussions with forward Sophia Wilson, who has a player option for 2026, after she missed this past season on maternity leave."

ICYMI: Former Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke comfirms he is not returning to D.C. United. Last week, #DCU opted out of the last year of his contract. Team ownership said in September it wanted Benteke to stay "long term." He finishes his time at D.C. scoring 49 goals in 3 seasons.

The NWSL has finally gotten its million-viewer match. Saturday’s championship game garnered 1.184 million viewers, the most watched game in league history

NEW PODCAST EPISODE: In this week’s edition of The Bad Hombres FC Podcast, @marioamaya28.bsky.social and I recap what happened to the @washingtonspirit.com at the #NWSL Championship and give our thoughts on @dcunitedofficial.bsky.social's 2026 schedule release. Listen now!

After two of its high schools received punishments for breaking student eligibility rules during the football season, Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland said it is responding to ensure policies aren’t broken again. More on @wtopnews.bsky.social

Adrián González on the Hershfelt substitution: "With Hal's situation, we were receiving information that she wanted to continue, that she was trying [to do so]... It is circumstances that we need to learn [from]. Obviously now we can say the sub was late." (? from @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social)

Tell me you don't want to be there without telling me you don't want to be there.

Washington Spirit failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it's the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the NWSL since facing Utah Royals on August 23rd 2018.

Trinity Rodman on the back knock she took at the end of the game, “I need the year to be over. To be honest, I need a break and a reset. the knock didn't feel great, not too happy about it, but I have off time now, so that's all I care about.”

FINAL: @washingtonspirit.com fail to find the net as #USWNT midfielder crushes her former team. Gotham wins its 2nd #NWSL Championship with a 1-0 over Washington.

Three game-changing moments all happen in the second half for Washington: - Reale not getting a second yellow. - Rodman sub not working out. - Trying to keep Hal in.

A lot of questions will come on the decision to wait to sub out Hal.

There's just no denying it. The injury happened in the 73rd minute, the 10v11 spell let Gotham take some control they hadn't had for the entire 2nd half.

Unchanged linup for the final for the @washingtonspirit.com.

“I feel that in these last two games has been, honestly, the best soccer we’ve played.” After failing the capture the @nwslsoccer.com Championship last year, the @washingtonspirit.com feels battle-tested & ready to face its rivals in this year's final. My latest for @wtopnews.bsky.social:

Washington Spirit head coach Adrian Gonzalez says Trinity Rodman is "available and ready to compete” after further improvement this week. Rodman has been training with a sleeve on her right knee. Defender Gabby Carle is not available (hamstring injury in quarterfinal). #NWSL

This week on the baddest soccer podcast in the land myself and @joseumana.bsky.social discuss @washingtonspirit.com making the NWSL final and do a preview of the match against Gotham FC.#NWSL open.spotify.com/episode/1yeV...

Fun time being a part of opposition research with the Hudson River Blue!

Me: Waking up from a nap. @marioamaya28.bsky.social: "Yo! D.C. soccer is going nuts!" My phone: "Trinity Rodman News! D.C. United drops schedule. Messi playing in Baltimore!" Me:

This would mean that DC Power spent money on something. While I understand the offer is tempting, not sure if it is enough considering a player like her has seen the investment made so far into that team.

The Union have put sporting director Ernst Tanner on "adminstrative leave" while MLS reopens an investigation into his alleged misconduct. "MLS has advised the Union that it will be reopening the investigation and the Union continues to cooperate fully," the team says in a statement. More to come.

"It's just come too soon, to be honest." Emma Hayes on why Trinity Rodman didn't make this #USWNT roster, in response to @melanieanzidei.bsky.social's question:

chat is it good that the league went on a media blitz to laud the salary cap after being asked about trinity rodman's contract thedistrictpress.com/2025/11/17/t...

In 0-0 draw on 10/1: Rotated XI for cup play; no Kingsbury, Rodman, Kouassi; Bethune for 30 min + Santos for 28 + Hershfelt for 62 So, in short: The Spirit will look very different Saturday than it did in any of those three meetings this season.

44 - The 2025 #NWSLChampionship between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC will be the 44th meeting between the teams in all competitions, surpassing Seattle vs. Portland as the most played fixture between two #NWSL teams. Ultimate.

OFFICIAL: The @washingtonspirit.com will take on Gotham in the NWSL Championship Saturday in San José.

In case y'all need alternative commentary, Cristina Alexander and Natalia Astrain are calling the game in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.

I was ready to chuck my TV until I released that the hazed look is all over the broadcast.

Fairfax County Public Schools will install weapons detectors at high school football playoff games, following a string of incidents around the D.C. region during the fall athletic season. More on @wtopnews.bsky.social:

"But doubling down on the salary cap as the league’s “superpower” is not going to stop players from heading abroad now that they have more power over their own careers." Meg hits the point hard in her column.

Full-Time: USMNT 2-1 Paraguay An inspired return for Gio Reyna to the national team, as he had a goal and an assist in the US victory against Paraguay in Chester. #USMNT

Croix Bethune answering @joseumana.bsky.social on the confident vibes right now: "I feel like these past two games, honestly, has been the best soccer that we've played."

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

FINAL: @washingtonspirit.com are back in the NWSL Championships after defeating Portland 2-0.

83': GOAL WASHINGTON AND CRIOX BETHUNE! Takes it in all herself. 2-0

OFFICIAL: 19,365 is the announced atteneance for the Spirit vs. the Thorns at Audi Field. Consecutive sellouts during the playoffs for Washington.

Rowdy Audi attracts greatness from across the sports world. ⚽️🎾🤸‍♀️ Ben Shelton, Frances Tiaefoe, and Dominique Dawes are in the house for the NWSL Semifinals!

The timing of these comments are wild. It has old MLS "why spend more if some of our teams don't want to" vibes. These owners do know that raising the salary cap will add more competition to the league and not less?