World Cup Playoffs Decision Day, USMNT vs Portugal Preview, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
by Dennis Nolasco
Morning DC footy folks! I haven’t mentioned my 30+ soccer league in a while (mainly because we’ve been doing terribly). But yesterday we got back to back wins! I got some nasty turf burn but definitely worth it.
Anyways, onto the footy news!
USA vs. Portugal, 2026 USMNT friendly: preview – the devil is in the big picture (SSFC)
Can the US come back from a Belgian butt whooping against a decent Portuguese side sans-CR7?
2026 World Cup playoffs: Who will claim the final six spots? (ESPN)
Lots of interesting storylines to follow including the Azzurri players ready to banish their demons of the last few World Cup cycles.
‘This is bigger than football’ – DR Congo bid to end 52-year World Cup wait (BBC)
Let’s briefly zoom in on one of those World Cup hopefuls. Last time the DRC were in the World Cup, they competed under a different name, Zaire. Do you think they will beat Jamaica and return to the promised land?
The US Soccer program finally has a permanent home (bankrolled by Arthur Bank, owner of Atlanta United and the yet to be named Atlanta based NWSL team that will begin play in 2028).
Cardiff lose €120m damages claim against Nantes in Emiliano Sala case ($The Athletic)
This is an interesting conclusion to a case that I’ve loosely followed over the last few years.
Let’s end with a few Skeets:
Concacaf W Qualifying México 🇲🇽 squad to play USVI April 10 and Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 April 18
— (@wosoworld.bsky.social) 2026-03-30T22:23:42.385Z
The women’s international break is coming up next month and Bernal is the first of the Spirit contingent to have a call up confirmed.
Fun with @catabush.com graphics at viz.americansocceranalysis.com! Here, we compare how high an #NWSL team usually makes a tackle/interception etc. with how quickly they move the ball up the field.
— Expected Own Goals (@xowngoals.com) 2026-03-30T16:28:21.668Z
An interesting graphic from the American Soccer Analysis folks. My first takeaway is that we are an entertaining, proactive side to watch. My second takeaway; since when is Angel City mentioned in the same breath as KC, Spirit, and the Pride?!
DCU U-15s beat Barcelona in the Generation Adidas Cup so that’s exciting news on the youth front!
That’s it from me folks! Remember that there’s a USMNT game tonight along with six World Cup playoffs! See you in the comments!
