PJ Ryan
@pjryansoccer.bsky.social
Jersey boy who somehow ended up in Minnesota by way of DC. I root for DC United, the Spirit, Minnesota Aurora, Liverpool, the Red Sox, Phillies, Avalanche, Frost, Eagles, USMNT, and USWNT. I chip in at https://thedistrictpress.com.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Unwrap a brand new Freedom Kicks! Today we cover supporter group opposition to HIP, more Cat Macario rumors, Boris Enow's departure, the history of British "festive fixtures", a ghosting goalkeeper, team ugly sweaters, and more.
#nwsl #woso #dcunited
#nwsl #woso #dcunited
Supporter Groups Oppose HIP, More Macario Rumors, Enow Out, Why the British Play Their Festive Fixtures, and more: Christmas Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. Talonesque is a hard act to follow after yesterday's Freedom Kicks. Unfortunately, I can't match that level of creativity. Despite it being a week where many people are off work and spending time with family, news from across the soccer world continues to come in at a rapid pace. Let's get to it. More HIP Reactions Following Tuesday's High Impact Player rule announcement by NWSL, it was immediately slammed by the Player's Association which indicated it would take action to "enforce the rights of the players".
thedistrictpress.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I always appreciate fun, dumb, creative things like this. Liverpool let me down. I really like Celtic’s.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
'Tis the season for rating Christmas sweaters from top soccer teams!
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the selection of knitwear that fans can wear to support their team this Christmas is so delightful.
www.espn.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:38 AM
I always appreciate fun, dumb, creative things like this. Liverpool let me down. I really like Celtic’s.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Definitely playing to the millennial stereotype of watching Muppet Christmas Carol and quoting it and singing along the while time while watching.
December 25, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Definitely playing to the millennial stereotype of watching Muppet Christmas Carol and quoting it and singing along the while time while watching.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Hello BlueSky! We are an English language blog/website talking about all things Die Wölfe!
Any shares/reposts will greatly help! Thank you.
#VFLWolfsburg #Bundesliga @50plusdoner.bsky.social
First blog post here!
vflwolfsburgblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/welc...
Any shares/reposts will greatly help! Thank you.
#VFLWolfsburg #Bundesliga @50plusdoner.bsky.social
First blog post here!
vflwolfsburgblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/welc...
Welcome and Match Reaction: Die Wölfe vs SC Freiburg
Welcome to the English language blog of Die Wölfe ! Will be filled with match previews and reviews, analysis, etc. Let's get it going! M...
vflwolfsburgblog.blogspot.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Hello BlueSky! We are an English language blog/website talking about all things Die Wölfe!
Any shares/reposts will greatly help! Thank you.
#VFLWolfsburg #Bundesliga @50plusdoner.bsky.social
First blog post here!
vflwolfsburgblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/welc...
Any shares/reposts will greatly help! Thank you.
#VFLWolfsburg #Bundesliga @50plusdoner.bsky.social
First blog post here!
vflwolfsburgblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/welc...
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Since Tatjana Haenni and NWSL parted ways in May, the league has not to my knowledge hired a Sporting Director or created an equivalent role to guide the league's sporting structure and direction.
This rule's glaring issues speak to that. It's a bad idea being executed poorly.
This rule's glaring issues speak to that. It's a bad idea being executed poorly.
December 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Since Tatjana Haenni and NWSL parted ways in May, the league has not to my knowledge hired a Sporting Director or created an equivalent role to guide the league's sporting structure and direction.
This rule's glaring issues speak to that. It's a bad idea being executed poorly.
This rule's glaring issues speak to that. It's a bad idea being executed poorly.
The united front put up by the @roseroomco.bsky.social, @spiritsquadron.bsky.social, and other independent supporter groups is impressive. Frankly, we could use more efforts like this across all sports here in the US.
December 24, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The united front put up by the @roseroomco.bsky.social, @spiritsquadron.bsky.social, and other independent supporter groups is impressive. Frankly, we could use more efforts like this across all sports here in the US.
We're back! ESPN's expert voting panel of coaches, GMs and journalists ranked the top women's soccer players of 2025: www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Try to guess which #USWNT players made the list. Good luck!
Try to guess which #USWNT players made the list. Good luck!
The 50 best women's soccer players in the world for 2025, ranked!
Here are the 50 best women's soccer players in the world for 2025, as ranked by an expert panel of coaches, GMs and journalists.
www.espn.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by PJ Ryan
The DC United Offseason Escalated Quickly, Spirit Re-sign Defensive Stalwart, Chris Richards Stretchered, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
The DC United Offseason Escalated Quickly, Spirit Re-sign Defensive Stalwart, Chris Richards Stretchered, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the blog, a writer was stirring, some content to flog! The news links were dropped in the article body, while commenters hope that the news won't be shoddy! When up from the depths, there arose such a clatter, some moves that surprised us- could DCU matter?! Anyway, time for the news... It pains me that one link must come before the other in this situation, but two of our writers posted original pieces last night, and they're both well worth your time.
thedistrictpress.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The DC United Offseason Escalated Quickly, Spirit Re-sign Defensive Stalwart, Chris Richards Stretchered, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
I think going forward I’m going to loosen up my posting beyond soccer to talk about the other sports I care about and other stuff that amuses me.
December 24, 2025 at 5:05 AM
I think going forward I’m going to loosen up my posting beyond soccer to talk about the other sports I care about and other stuff that amuses me.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Jingle Bells! #DCU continues its roster overhaul by bringing in Sean Nealis and Sean Johnson to improve the defense and goalkeeping.
DC United continue flurry of acquisitions by bringing in Sean Nealis and Sean Johnson
DC United continues to deck the halls with player acquisitions, and the name of the week is Sean. Yesterday, DC United completed a trade with archrivals New York Red Bulls for defender Sean Nealis in exchange for $350,000 in total General Allocation Money. Today, they announced the signing of goalkeeper Sean Johnson as a free agent to continue to shore up the defense.
thedistrictpress.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Jingle Bells! #DCU continues its roster overhaul by bringing in Sean Nealis and Sean Johnson to improve the defense and goalkeeping.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Still simmering on the back burner for 2026:
The lawsuit against the NWSL and Wave FC filed by 6 former San Diego Wave employees.
The lawsuit against the NWSL and Wave FC filed by 6 former San Diego Wave employees.
one thing that’s become very obvious about jessica berman’s nwsl is that owners would still much rather pay lawyers than players
Statement from the NWSLPA. The union is definitely not on board with the new High Impact Player Rule. #NWSL
December 24, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Still simmering on the back burner for 2026:
The lawsuit against the NWSL and Wave FC filed by 6 former San Diego Wave employees.
The lawsuit against the NWSL and Wave FC filed by 6 former San Diego Wave employees.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Who is eligible for the NWSL’s new “High Impact Player” rule money? A lot of Europeans, it turns out. @abigailsegel.bsky.social dug into the newly announced criteria to determine who exactly qualifies for the contentious new roster designation—and who doesn’t: equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/23/w...
Who exactly is eligible for HIP money?
The National Women’s Soccer League’s official announcement of its new “High Impact Player” rule included the criteria that will be used to determine which players will qualify for the new roster mecha...
equalizersoccer.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Who is eligible for the NWSL’s new “High Impact Player” rule money? A lot of Europeans, it turns out. @abigailsegel.bsky.social dug into the newly announced criteria to determine who exactly qualifies for the contentious new roster designation—and who doesn’t: equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/23/w...
Reposted by PJ Ryan
What did we learn from the first half of the 2025/26 #GainbridgeSuperLeague season?
My colleague De Turner has three takeaways as we head into the winter break, including why first-year side @sportingjax.bsky.social is proving the real deal.
www.gainbridgesuperleague.com/news/2025/12...
My colleague De Turner has three takeaways as we head into the winter break, including why first-year side @sportingjax.bsky.social is proving the real deal.
www.gainbridgesuperleague.com/news/2025/12...
What we learned from the Fall Schedule of the 2025/26 season - Gainbridge Super League
After four months and 64 matches, we’ve reached the halfway point of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season. Here are our three takeaways from the Fall Schedule. Sporting JAX is the real deal Wh...
www.gainbridgesuperleague.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
What did we learn from the first half of the 2025/26 #GainbridgeSuperLeague season?
My colleague De Turner has three takeaways as we head into the winter break, including why first-year side @sportingjax.bsky.social is proving the real deal.
www.gainbridgesuperleague.com/news/2025/12...
My colleague De Turner has three takeaways as we head into the winter break, including why first-year side @sportingjax.bsky.social is proving the real deal.
www.gainbridgesuperleague.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Update:
Talks between D.C. United and Sean Johnson are moving along rapidly and could cross the finish line soon, per source.
Talks between D.C. United and Sean Johnson are moving along rapidly and could cross the finish line soon, per source.
December 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Update:
Talks between D.C. United and Sean Johnson are moving along rapidly and could cross the finish line soon, per source.
Talks between D.C. United and Sean Johnson are moving along rapidly and could cross the finish line soon, per source.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
I'm just in awe of the WNBA and NWSL's attempts to outstupid each other before the end of the year.
December 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I'm just in awe of the WNBA and NWSL's attempts to outstupid each other before the end of the year.
Some thoughts on #NWSL ‘s High Impact Player rule and its relation to NWSL’s overall decision making.
NWSL's High Impact Player rule is another in a string of questionable decisions by the league. NWSL players and fans deserve better.
NWSL Players and Fans Deserve Better From The League
After reading the High Impact Player rule announcement and all the criteria that go with it, it seems we’ve reached a tipping point where the decisions made by the league are about to actively start negatively impacting its future. Frankly NWSL players and fans deserve better. I remember seeing the impact of the 1999 USWNT World Cup team firsthand. My family and I watched the game on TV at the Orlando Airport.
thedistrictpress.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Some thoughts on #NWSL ‘s High Impact Player rule and its relation to NWSL’s overall decision making.
BREAKING: The Kansas City Current are finalizing a deal to hire Chris Armas as head coach, sources tell ESPN. Armas most recently coached MLS' Colorado Rapids. KC Current won the #NWSL Shield in 2025.
Story with @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social:
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Story with @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social:
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Sources: Current to hire Armas as new head coach
The Kansas City Current have agreed to terms to hire Chris Armas as the team's new head coach, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
www.espn.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by PJ Ryan
The NWSL Players Association has released this statement after the league announced the High Impact Player Rule.
"The [NWSL PA] opposes the [NWSL's] decision to move forward without bargaining over the High Impact Player Rule."
"The [NWSL PA] opposes the [NWSL's] decision to move forward without bargaining over the High Impact Player Rule."
December 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The NWSL Players Association has released this statement after the league announced the High Impact Player Rule.
"The [NWSL PA] opposes the [NWSL's] decision to move forward without bargaining over the High Impact Player Rule."
"The [NWSL PA] opposes the [NWSL's] decision to move forward without bargaining over the High Impact Player Rule."
It’s becoming clear that the league was never all in on “fighting” to keep Trinity in #NWSL. This is rearguard action to save face because they didn’t expect the reaction they got for letting one of the most recognizable talents in the league leave in a free.
I can’t think of a better illustration of how #NWSL leadership goes about making important decisions. They could have a clear decision and still find three rakes to step on.
#ThatstheSpirit
#ThatstheSpirit
December 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It’s becoming clear that the league was never all in on “fighting” to keep Trinity in #NWSL. This is rearguard action to save face because they didn’t expect the reaction they got for letting one of the most recognizable talents in the league leave in a free.
I can’t think of a better illustration of how #NWSL leadership goes about making important decisions. They could have a clear decision and still find three rakes to step on.
#ThatstheSpirit
#ThatstheSpirit
December 23, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I can’t think of a better illustration of how #NWSL leadership goes about making important decisions. They could have a clear decision and still find three rakes to step on.
#ThatstheSpirit
#ThatstheSpirit
Reposted by PJ Ryan
NWSL loves to give me a headache. How does this rule go into effect in July and Trinity still be in negotiations for a new contract. Somebody better dumb this down for me
December 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
NWSL loves to give me a headache. How does this rule go into effect in July and Trinity still be in negotiations for a new contract. Somebody better dumb this down for me
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Call this what it is: this is the NWSL's version of the NBA Supermax rule. It's not a Designated Player rule by any stretch. It's highly contingent on criteria that is 1000% subjective and reliant on European media to actually pay attention to the league, which they have proven not to do.
The NWSL introduces the High Impact Player rule.
Read more for the full list of criteria: bit.ly/4auEpL9
Read more for the full list of criteria: bit.ly/4auEpL9
December 23, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Call this what it is: this is the NWSL's version of the NBA Supermax rule. It's not a Designated Player rule by any stretch. It's highly contingent on criteria that is 1000% subjective and reliant on European media to actually pay attention to the league, which they have proven not to do.
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Inbox: Washington Spirit have re-signed Canadian defender Gabby Carle through 2029. Her previous contract was set to expire after next season.
A very smart decision to keep a player who's become so important to the team
A very smart decision to keep a player who's become so important to the team
December 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Inbox: Washington Spirit have re-signed Canadian defender Gabby Carle through 2029. Her previous contract was set to expire after next season.
A very smart decision to keep a player who's become so important to the team
A very smart decision to keep a player who's become so important to the team
Reposted by PJ Ryan
Staying in DC 💛
Gabby Carle has signed a new contract keeping her with the Spirit through the 2029 season!
Gabby Carle has signed a new contract keeping her with the Spirit through the 2029 season!
December 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Staying in DC 💛
Gabby Carle has signed a new contract keeping her with the Spirit through the 2029 season!
Gabby Carle has signed a new contract keeping her with the Spirit through the 2029 season!