The same people telling you women's sports is special & the values at its core must be protected are simultaneously partnering with as many owners from the most corrupt, controversy-ridden league we've got.

You wanna know how women's sports loses its progressive, inclusive magic? Follow the money.

EXACTLY.

Your choices decide your outcomes. Choosing to pick the richest potential owners with ties to men's pro sports over (also rich!) folks who are aligned with the women's space, the fanbase & the larger mission is a CHOICE. When league culture/player experience is harmed it'll be clear why.

This is nuts.

Possibly understating ..............

Five years ago, Boston and Bay paid an expansion fee of $53 million. Today, NWSL accepted $205 million to put a team in Columbus. Roughly a 286% increase in that time (if my math is accurate. I was promised there would be no math). Yet the league can't raise the salary cap?

Concacaf has announced that the 2022 Concacaf W Championship will take place at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium (new home of North Texas SC) and Shell Energy Stadium (home of Houston Dash/Dynamo) during the November/December FIFA window. Will serve as #FIFAWWC and #Olympics qualifying. #USWNT

#UPSL Alert. The Midwest-West Schedule has been published. The first games are in five days. premier.upsl.com/schedule/?co...

At time of publication, no corresponding women's schedule.

The Columbus Crew are touting "a major announcement on the future of soccer in Columbus" for today at 3:30 p.m.

Jessica Berman, Whitney Haslam Johnson of the Crew's ownership, and Columbus' mayor and city council president will be among the dignitaries.

Local Politics: City Council votes today on plans to turn McCoy Park into an NWSL training facility – Matter News After spending years working with neighbors and promising improvements to benefit disabled residents, elected officials are prepared to give away a 28-acre park in the poorest corner of the city for t...

Columbus City Council voted to approve the Haslam Sports Group's land and money grab to secure an NWSL franchise in Columbus. There are a lot of people articulating why this is an awful deal but this article from @matternews.bsky.social
sums it up pretty succinctly tinyurl.com/m6k7mttd #nwsltocbus

English Football Roundup: The Pilgrims progress to the playoffs Plymouth Argyle have sealed a playoff spot for a WSL2 berth. Elsewhere, relegation threatens a handful of teams.

Plymouth Argyle have sealed a playoff spot for a WSL2 berth. Elsewhere, relegation threatens a handful of teams.
#WNL

Due to the April DFB-Pokal semifinals and the international break, Frauen-Bundesliga sides have not taken the field in league play for approaching a month. Beginning Wednesday, the teams return to the pitch for the race to the finish.  

www.northlandsoccer.com/die-frauen-report-back-from-break/

“We look forward to hosting the Minnesota Blizzard in the 2nd round match as soon as possible,” Wilt said.

At this time, the game will be ASAP, but is TBA.

@chicagohouseac.bsky.social are still in the #USASA Amateur Cup after they won an appeal of disqualification. “We are pleased that the committee took a sincere review of our appeal, asked relevant questions and came to the same conclusion that we had,” said House Managing Partner + CEO Peter Wilt.

Late-breaking scheduling news:

@chicagohouseac.bsky.social v MN Blizzard on May 2/3 with the winner earning a bye through to the Semifinals of the #USASA Amateur Cup Region II Qualifiers

cc: @thecup.us

The Vancouver Whitecaps are MLS’s best team this season. Why are they on life support? The Canadian side have the league’s best record, the best defender, a global superstar, and a ‘for sale’ sign in the window

The Vancouver Whitecaps are MLS’s best team this season. Why are they on life support? www.theguardian.com/football/202... [via @theguardian.com]

DC Area Women’s Sports Bar Opens, “Hey Spirits” Goalkeeper Interview, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks Good morning DC Footy Folk! It's an unseasonably chilly morning in the nation's capital today... Quick 30+ soccer league update; I scored a left footed (!!!) goal in a 11-10 victory. It was quite a raucous game! Anyways onto to the news!t The DC Area’s First Women’s Sports Bar Opens in Arlington (Washingtonian) Westover Taco is now officially a women's sports bar!

There's a new dedicated women's sports bar in the DC area! Plus Balogun is red hot while Pulisic is ice cold. This and more in your Tuesday Freedom Kicks!

I hate this for two reasons. 1) Columbus will be a great fan base, but they deserve better than getting one this way. 2) Seeing this, it feels like the road for the Aurora is getting more difficult. Fans in the Twin Cities would be on par with Spirit fans, which is the best compliment I can give.

Aurora signs slew of new players and friendly opponent Since our last update Minnesota Aurora has signed eight new players and announced the opponent for their home friendly.

As the 2026 #USLW season edges ever closer @mnaurorafc.bsky.social recently announced a slew of new players and a friendly opponent.

Council at crossroads: back NWSL deal or keep inclusive park pledge The future of McCoy Park lies in Columbus City Council's hands as they decide whether to back a National Women's Soccer League team in the city.

Really interesting to see the local Columbus news coverage on the new NWSL team proposal!

As ABC 6's Kierstin Lindqvist reports, the Columbus Mayor and members of city council have received over $150,000 in donations from the prospective ownership group.

abc6onyourside.com/news/local/c...

GK Mentality, Chopped, & Community Through Soccer (w/ Kaylie Collins) YouTube video by Hey Spirits

And for the YouTuber audience, mash that subscribe button and give dubs in the chat or something we dunno we’re still learning
youtu.be/bU2AsgQ44-A?...

episode graphic with official headshot of Kaylie Collins

🌸NEW POD🌸

Annie, Ella & André were delighted to chat with Washington Spirit GK Kaylie Collins! We discuss becoming a goalkeeper, protecting the TV, her partnership with IDA Sports, fridge clean outs, & more.

🟢 open.spotify.com/episode/6uJV...
🍎 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h... #nwsl #woso

Introducing the New York Soccer Journal Welcome to your new source for independent, in-depth coverage of soccer in New York.

Hello! Introductions are in order: We are your new source for the best in-depth coverage of soccer in New York, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of Hudson River Blue

Get to know the New York Soccer Journal, and consider subscribing or donating to support our coverage

USMNT win, DC United draw, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks Happy Monday, y'all. It was a nice weekend for me, highlighted by myself, Talonesque, Dennis, Annie, and André taking in some USWNT action together on Friday night! Fun times were had. We start with that match: USWNT close out Japan series with statement win in Colorado (SSFC) The USWNT ended their series with Japan in a big way, throttling the Nadeshiko.

We're getting the week started with the Freedom Kicks!

For me its Two Princes by Spin Doctors. It just screams 1993

DC United @ Philadelphia Union: Preview, time, and how to watch DC United return to MLS action tonight as they travel up I-95 to take on the Philadelphia Union. DC United is hoping to get back on track after two straight losses in the league coupled with being eliminated by One Knoxville in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. René Weiler has not pleased with his team's mentality lately, and called it out during the press conference on Wednesday night after the loss on penalties to One Knox.

#DCU hopes to get back on track tonight in Chester. Join us for discussion of their second match of the season against the Philadelphia Union.

Oh this nice, this is really nice.

Judging by their reactions when their teammates score, this USWNT REALLY like playing together. The joy for each other is nice to see.

The cold never bothered Sam Coffey anyway.

TRIN TUNNEL ASSIST