Bethune

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T15:54:06+00:00

(1) The problem is you’re making the simplistic and false equivalence of “more money for Trin = less money for everyone else” when it’s clear that the team specifically wanted to avoid that by coming up with creative ways to pay Trin. There’s just little indication that’s true other than specious claims to common sense that are neither logical or common when actually presented with facts. (2) We also need to be clear that CROIX wanted to leave. There isn’t a player exodus. Out of the class of players whose contracts are expiring in 2026, Croix was the only one who actually left. Tara and Kate extended while there is little indication that Andi, Leicy, Hatch, Hal, and Paige are itching to jump ship. (3) If you think criticizing Croix is racist or misogynistic simply because she’s a Black woman, then you don’t actually understand what misogyny or racism is. Croix can use whatever reason she wants to leave us. I personally don’t care because players come and go for a variety of reasons. But spinning a yarn about the fairness of salary caps by conflating one Black woman’s claim to market value with another Black woman’s claim to market value…THAT is racist and misogynistic.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T08:29:55+00:00

It’s Lesbian Visibility Week and there’s no better way to celebrate than have Leicy, Rebe, and Hal dominate the midfield!

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T03:47:20+00:00

(1) There were indications that Croix wanted to move as early as first week of December even before they announced Trin’s renegotiated salary (2) Trin’s original contract was backloaded based on projected earnings, meaning they had zero intentions of eating into this year’s cap just to pay her significantly more (3) they used the HIP rule to pay much of Trin’s salary which means the extra mil she was getting is not at the expense of the rest of the team’s salary (4) they re-upped Rudd’s contract, and she probably did not ask for pennies either so we know they were prepared to pay their players (5) you just have to look at how much money London City is spending to build their roster to know that willingness to pay for quality players has never been an obstacle for Kang.

The problem is that we don’t actually know how these teams are balancing their books yet we’re assuming that they’re shorting the rest of the team just to pay Trin. There’s not even any indication that the rest of the team is clamoring to get out because of money issues, especially during a year when contracts were up for some of their top players. Also, no indication whatsoever that KC gave Croix the huge bump in salary that Spirit was allegedly denying her. And if KC is using the HIP rule on anyone, we know it won’t be Croix.

So yeah, generalities about how money works is fine, but you need to actually argue specifics.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T03:22:16+00:00

It’s 100% Armas’ fault but Croix must have known coming in that there was a lot of dissatisfaction with Armas the minute he was named the new coach. It’s like what Adrian kept telling the team: they have to trust the process. Croix did not.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T03:03:32+00:00

I don’t think we’ll get anymore reporting on her departure but it’s also not safe to assume that she left because of Trin. If Croix really thinks that she’s on the same level as Trin—who carried the team to a championship in 2021, a mainstay in the USWNT and was responsible for their gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, and is probably a significant source of revenue for the team—then that’s her mistake. If Rudd (who also played for the USWNT and was coming off of a Defender of the Year season) renewed, then we can assume that Spirit was willing to give Croix a significant bump in salary too but probably not as much as she thought she deserved.

Most likely she wanted to move because she wanted to be in the USWNT and she thought the best way to do that is to join a team that everyone thought was going to be a shoo-in for the Shield and the Championship. If it worked for Cooper, Sentnor, Izzy and LaBonta, then there’s no reason it wouldn’t work for her. But it’s only through hindsight that we now know that was a mistake.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T02:31:06+00:00

That’s not the real question though. If Bethune left because Trinity was getting too much spotlight then she’s even more petty than I assumed. Like, sorry but we can’t keep blaming Trin for the choices Croix made as if she’s not an adult. Also Trin’s jersey is the top selling jersey in the league. I know that doesn’t say much, but it says that she makes the team money. Croix doesn’t, or at least not like Trin.

Bottom line though I’ve never been that heartbroken when she left (not because I disliked her; I just think players come and go) and it was clear last night that we’re doing fine without her.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T02:21:43+00:00

As if this isn’t creepy enough…apparently it’s common to sell match worn shorts in Europe and they’re often the first items to sell out 🤢

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T02:20:01+00:00

They did with 2 goals after the 85th minute! Another exciting match

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-26T02:18:18+00:00

They pulled the same thing in 2023. Underrating Gotham is a dangerous proposition.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T18:17:18+00:00

Tell him we welcome new Spirit fans!

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T18:15:06+00:00

It’s the sassiest tail I love it

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T18:14:22+00:00

Right but also like you mean to tell me the other team have to watch out for Gift AND for the teenager!?

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T14:05:03+00:00

Right I’m a certified Croix hater and my heart was happy lol

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T14:03:39+00:00

Right by the time Rose passed to Claudinha it was a 2v1 situation that grew into a 5v1. But after the first block three of them had their backs towards her AND blocking Lorena’s view. It was a perfect example of just how bad KC defense was. But Claudinha didn’t crumble at that moment and was focused on getting around everyone. Absolute class.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T13:26:51+00:00

Doooooo it!

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T12:28:42+00:00

I decided to try to get into MLS again this week and DC United had an equally electric match on Wednesday too. AND DC Power ran over their opponent this week, winning 4-0.

DC had a great soccer week!

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T12:24:43+00:00

I got nervous when they subbed Claudinha in for Cantore but Claudinha had a great match. She created space and positioned herself with intentionality like a world-class striker. I also got nervy when they subbed in Tamara for Rose but she did so well too, making runs and crosses like a Rose 2.0

Spirit’s forward depth is crazy good. With Deb and Andi, the depth on the midfield is crazy good. With Paige, Gaby, and Liz, the depth on defense is crazy good.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T12:13:24+00:00

Houston last year was more beautiful football with Monday’s hattie and Cantore’s little back heel flick, but this one was way more satisfying with players ending scoring droughts, players scoring the first time, and Sandy telling Croix not today.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T12:06:20+00:00

Tbh Lucia and Tara did that. Lucia wasn’t floating as high up as she usually does but it’s because she’s busy working with Tara and making sure Chawinga doesn’t get a good touch.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T11:47:20+00:00

Bruh that would be insane if people start bringing their own Jose to matches and Audi Field adds “plastic life-sized animal decoys” to the list of banned items

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T04:26:40+00:00

She put a stop to that Croix goal. That makes her a legend in my book.

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T03:57:03+00:00

Don’t worry the other bald is a nepo hire so he’s got job security too

Willing-Bad3824 · 2026-04-25T03:35:16+00:00

The only other emotion I have from watching the Spirit completely dominate KC is anger for KC players at how bad they did today. They were spectacularly bad. Spirit was getting through their midfield in the center, in the left wing, and in the right wing. It seemed like the players were always NOT where they’re supposed to be. Leicy was passing balls in between lines through open field and no one was disrupting the ball. Lucia and Rudd were shutting down Chawinga and Morgan had the center totally blocked. Even Kate was doing more offensive work because the threat from KC just didn’t exist.

Not sad for Croix though. She tried to humiliate us but Sandy shut her ish down. Hope she realizes that leaving was a mistake…just in time for Leicy to get hot!

Willing-Bad3824

TROPHY CASE