Tuesday Freedom Kicks: USWNT advance, Gressel in Team of the Week, and more

The Spirit’s Olympians have mostly been busy this morning

I got up at 3:50am for the USWNT, and that proved to be a mistake! That plus some D.C. United news is what I’ve got for you this morning:

Julian Gressel, who was nothing short of spectacular against the Red Bulls, made the MLS team of the week. I think they should have made his photo larger than the other photos, to emphasize him more

Elsewhere on Sunday night, Paul Arriola captained the USMNT in their 1-0 win over Jamaica at the Gold Cup.

Big moment for his career for sure, and also big news for United fans to see him back from the knock that took him out in their first match.

USWNT advance to knockout stage after listless draw against Australia | Stars and Stripes FC
True story: after the first two USWNT games at the Olympics, I had a hard time getting back to bed. Today, I’m having a hard time writing this post, because the game was just all tactical risk-aversion and no fun.

For the Washington Spirit, Kelley O’Hara went the full 90, while Emily Sonnett wasn’t in uniform in what appears to be a rotation choice rather than injury-related. While that game was going on, Julia Roddar went 90 for Sweden, and while I’m writing this, Saori Takarada is on the field for Japan as they take on Chile.

These USMNT players eye a future in coaching. That means class is in session. | Washington Post
Glad to hear top players are looking to pursue coaching seriously, but a) the tuition prices mentioned in here remain too high, and b) it’s kind of wild that Gyasi Zardes at this point in his career was getting denied when applying to start higher up the ladder.

Gotham owners hope to sustain momentum despite LaHue’s abrupt departure | Equalizer Soccer
While there’s still quite a bit we don’t know about Alyse LaHue’s shock exit as Gotham FC’s GM, right now at least it sounds like the team has kept themselves from letting it shake them up too badly. Still, that’s a big job, and one where there was still a lot of work to be done, so it’s a situation that remains one to keep a close eye on.

Congrats to the Maryland Bobcats for winning the NISA Independent Cup’s Mid-Atlantic group for the second straight year!

And finally, I say either put your free kick in the back of the net, or do this:

Enjoy your Tuesday, friends!