As Sanneh tried to speak, he began to weep, covering his face as the room broke into applause. While the surprise announcement didn’t catch him fully off guard, Sanneh said he was “more emotional than I thought.”

“To see so many people benefiting from the sport, giving back through the sport, competing through the sport, and then to be a part of what is sort of the greatest of the great and recognized for your whole career for many different strengths is just amazing,” Sanneh told 海角社区app.

Sanneh was part of a on Friday night. He becomes the eighth D.C. United player to be elected to the hall, and the third to get in as part of the Veterans Ballot for players who have been retired for more than 10 calendar years.

“It’s huge because (it) can’t be taken away,” Sanneh told 海角社区app before Friday’s ceremony. “You’re memorialized forever.”

Making a name for himself

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Sanneh is mostly remembered for his time during the MLS club’s dynasty run in the late ’90s, and his contributions to the U.S. men’s national team.

Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall, Sanneh was one of U.S. soccer’s most versatile and imposing players during the 1990s and 2000s. He played most of his career in midfield but also assisted defensively.

While he was known for his bombing runs into the penalty area, Sanneh called his versatile style “helping the team and being a good pro.”

After excelling at the University of Milwaukee and playing indoor soccer, he joined the Black and Red during its inaugural season in 1996. He quickly made an impact, scoring four goals and recording eight assists. Later that year, during the inaugural MLS Cup, he headed a free kick for the first goal in United’s comeback win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

It was during Sanneh’s career when he was clutch in big matches. He would appear again during the 1997 Eastern Conference semifinal series opener, scoring twice to lead United to a 3-2 victory. A few weeks later, during the 1997 MLS Cup, Sanneh assisted striker Jaime Moreno on the match’s opening goal, and later scored to lead United to its second straight title.

Sanneh credits the locker room D.C. had at that time, led by head coach Bruce Arena, for its dominant run. Those teams fielded multiple World Cup-caliber players, and practice was considered “the hardest days,” he told 海角社区app.

“If you didn’t come to play, you weren’t going to play,” Sanneh said. “I think that is what made it so great, and I think that’s why our team had so much success early.”

caused Sanneh to leave D.C. following the 1998 season. He finished his time with the Black and Red, making 96 appearances and scoring 20 goals. He won four championships, including two MLS Cups.

“Sanneh was a cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in club history, helping define D.C. United’s identity through excellence and leadership,” the club said in a statement to 海角社区app. “His legacy will always be part of D.C. United, and the club looks forward to celebrating this well-deserved honor.”

Sanneh was also part of the United States’ “magical” quarterfinal run during the 2002 World Cup. In the U.S.’s first group stage match against Portugal, he fired off a perfect cross to McBride for the U.S.’s third goal in a shocking 3-2 win.

“When it came time to do something special in the biggest games, like in World Cups or the qualifying or the MLS championship, those were my moments to shine,” Sanneh said. “And I’d like to think that I delivered.”

Retirement and legacy

In 2009, Sanneh’s illustrious career ended, but the moments stood out.

He became one of the first African Americans to play in Germany when he signed with Bundesliga club Hertha BSC and made several appearances in the UEFA Champions League. He finished his national team career with 43 appearances and won a CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Since his retirement, he’s redoubled his efforts to support , a nonprofit that works with young people and underserved communities through mentorship, education and health and wellness programs.

He also serves as a sports envoy for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. After his Hall of Fame induction, he will be traveling to Tajikistan for a week of fostering youth leadership through soccer.

“My job now is super rewarding,” he said. “It gets me up every day. I’ve got to try hard to do it, and I’m blessed to be able to have that opportunity.”

But, for one night, the spotlight returned to Sanneh’s career. It is one he remembers fondly and is glad it will be part of history.

“I really appreciate this opportunity and award, and I know I’m blessed and supported,” he said.

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Starting Friday, Houlihan, 62, along with four others will begin cycling across the country from the Olympic Peninsula in La Push, Washington, ending at Dewey Beach, Delaware, to fundraise for ALS research. The ride will span more than 4,000 miles and peddle through 12 states.

The idea sprang up at the Sailor Oyster Bar in Annapolis in 2023 after a close friend learned about her diagnosis with ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig鈥檚 disease – which attacks nerve cells that control muscles throughout the body.

鈥淪he can no longer do the things she loved,鈥� Houlihan told 海角社区app. 鈥淟et鈥檚 do this for her.鈥�

Laura鈥檚 story

Laura Olds was the healthy one among her friend group. She lived an active lifestyle for years: taking yoga classes, enjoying dancing and playing tennis. However, her husband, Todd Olds, said Laura began slurring her speech.

In March of 2023, Laura Olds was diagnosed with ALS. Since then, the now 65-year-old communicates through a text-to-speech app and is unable to drive or cook for her family, Todd Olds said. She spends most of her time sitting on a chair, unable to get up.

Meg Whiteford, a senior associate director of development at the Robert Packard Center for ALS research at Johns Hopkins, told 海角社区app that most people have 2-5 years to live as the disease affects the muscular aspects of one鈥檚 body.

鈥淓ventually you can鈥檛 breathe,鈥� Whiteford said. 鈥淵our mind stays intact, but your body fails.鈥�

Yet, Laura Olds continues to live on, trying to get better, her husband said.

鈥淪he鈥檚 been so strong. She never complains,鈥� Todd Olds said. 鈥淪he has kind of beat the odds in terms of the prognosis for surviving as long as she has, but it鈥檚 been a lot.鈥�

The diagnosis devastated Houlihan, who has known Laura Olds since he was 20 years old. One day, while spending time with Todd and friend Scott Alyn, Houlihan said the trio decided that they wanted to do something to help raise money for the ALS community. That led to the birth of , the grassroots organization organizing the ride.

Preparing for the ride

Courtesy Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS

Courtesy Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS

Courtesy Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS

Courtesy Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS

海角社区app/Jos茅 Uma帽a

海角社区app/Jos茅 Uma帽a

Courtesy Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS

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Five people will participate in the cycling challenge at various points, including Houlihan and Laura鈥檚 husband.

However, as the ride progresses, members of the group will drop off, leaving Houlihan to continue the rest of the journey on his own path.

Houlihan, who rode across Australia as a college student, purchased his new bike in mid-March and has been training on a Peloton to prepare. He told 海角社区app that he is prepared for the unknown but is embracing the troubles that may come his way, including tire problems and camping.

鈥淚t’s really what adventure can we create, and the story that we’re going to be telling and getting the ALS community involved across the country,鈥� he said.

As details of the challenge came together, Laura did not want to be the face for ALS or the campaign, Houlihan said. But, as the ride day inched closer, she has grown proud of the effort all her friends put together for the ride, her husband said.

鈥淚’m sure she would love to be along for the ride if she could,鈥� Todd Olds said, who will be leaving the ride early to return to Laura鈥檚 side.

All the fundraising collected will be used to support research done by the Packard Center and care efforts provided by the Team Gleason Foundation. As of Friday, Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS has collected about $269,000 and is looking to reach $500,000 as a goal.

Along with donating online, Houlihan encourages the country to join him for the ride by following Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS鈥檚 听to follow the crew鈥檚 travels.

Houlihan said anyone around the country is welcome to tag along on the ride as he passes along each state before reaching Dewey Beach.

Pro Football Hall of Famer plans to ride with Houlihan when he arrives in Chicago on June 26. Steve McMichael, Covert鈥檚 former Bears teammate, died in 2025 after his ALS diagnosis.

鈥淚t’s just this emotional roller coaster for everybody,鈥� Houlihan said. 鈥淚 feel good going into this thing, and I think we all just this community is built around this and it’s beautiful.鈥�

.

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As the Bison golfer approached the shot, Puryear read Franklin the putt, and Franklin responded, 鈥淚 believe you.鈥�

鈥淭hat was the first time I took a breath and said, 鈥榳ow, I think we might get it,鈥欌�� Puryear told 海角社区app. 鈥淪he made about a 40-foot birdie putt uphill. I was like, 鈥榶o, this might be it.鈥欌��

Franklin鈥檚 performance proved crucial, as it helped lead the Howard women鈥檚 golf team to win its first-ever conference championship at the 2026 Northeast Conference Championships at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. With the result, Howard became the first historically Black university to win a non-HBCU conference title.

鈥淭his is not an HBCU accomplishment,鈥� Puryear said. 鈥淭his is a golf accomplishment.鈥�

The of Fairleigh Dickinson by two shots after a dominant third round shooting +17 in the final round as a team to secure the title. Franklin earned her first collegiate win with a three-round score of 220 (+7), seven shots ahead of her nearest rival.

Franklin told 海角社区app she didn’t know Howard had won the conference championship until her father told her on a phone call after completing her round.

鈥淚 knew it was close, but the feeling coming down seven and 18, I was just filled with butterflies and anxiety, because I was like, 鈥業 think this is it. I think we got it this time,鈥欌�� she said.

Franklin credits part of Howard鈥檚 success to the team bond, which strengthened after a winter trip to play in Phoenix, Arizona. While golf is an individual sport, the senior said golfers support one another through the highs and lows of the season.

Puryear, who admitted to wanting his golfers to rival each other, said their camaraderie made the difference in their victories.

鈥淚 feel like teamwork is something that wins championships,鈥� Franklin said. 鈥淵ou can’t really do it by yourself.鈥�

Alongside Franklin鈥檚 performance, freshman Mia Melendez fired a 1-under 70 in the third round of the NEC to finish third overall.

Puryear called her final round 鈥渙ne of the greatest rounds of golf I鈥檝e seen as a coach,鈥� adding that he is excited to see where the program goes with her and Howard鈥檚 new freshman class for next season.

鈥淲hat just transpired at the NEC with the women’s tournament is one of the greatest wins of my entire career,鈥� Puryear told his players after the tournament. 鈥淎nd I’m super, super, super proud of that.鈥�

Howard鈥檚 golf program started six years ago and has been growing ever since. It gained some fame following its appearance on

The Bison received whom Puryear credits for making the university鈥檚 golf teams possible.

鈥淲hen you’re supported and backed by a champion, arguably the best shooter of all time, arguably the shooting GOAT, I think the ladies feel like, 鈥榟ey, you know what? We’re a part of something bigger,鈥欌�� Puryear said, who added that Curry did a FaceTime with the players after the conference championship.

The NEC was the Bison鈥檚 third tournament win of the year.

As her teammates wait for details on their postseason schedule, Franklin said it feels amazing to be part of history. However, winning the NEC means more than winning a trophy.

鈥淲e can go to a school, HBCU, any school, and show that we belong there,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think that the most important part of being a part of this team is showing that we belong.鈥�

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A sea of jersey-clad people poured inside a dark green building sitting in the center of Arlington, Virginia, one Saturday afternoon.

The pub, Ireland’s Four Courts, was filled with so many patrons watching the same soccer match 鈥� Manchester United vs. Chelsea of the English Premier League, that its patio windows were left wide-open for easy viewing.

When Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha scored moments before halftime, those wearing red or white shirts belted out cheers of joy, while the rest sat in tension. For the rest of the match, as Chelsea attempted shots on goal, those wearing blue jerseys groaned in misery until the referee blew the final whistle.

“We like to create it like a stadium,” David Cahill, Four Courts’ managing partner, said about the pub’s atmosphere. “When you come into the Four Courts to watch soccer, if you’re not at the stadium, the Four Courts is gonna be your next best spot to be at.”

Ireland’s Four Courts became known for showing soccer matches as early as 7 a.m. on a Saturday. Recently, the Arlington restaurant was named America’s Best Soccer Bar. For Cahill, the recognition is the culmination of building its soccer community and of rebuilding the bar after a car crashed into it in 2022.

America’s soccer bar

Last year, Ireland’s Four Courts made the top 100 soccer bars in the annual contest. By November, it landed in the top 10. After voting took place, Cahill was alerted in March that the pub had won but needed to hear it from three different people before celebrating.

“We were totally shocked,” Cahill said. “We were absolutely thrilled.”

Organized by the , Ireland’s Four Courts hosted featuring former U.S. men’s national team star Clint Dempsey and presented Cahill with a special plaque commemorating the award.

Cahill describes Four Courts as a neighborhood Irish restaurant that features staple dishes, such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, along with beer and traditional American bar food. In the 2000s, as it became involved with local soccer organizations, Cahill said a decision was made to prioritize showing soccer games.

“What we found was when we’re going to other restaurants that soccer was an afterthought in the early 2000s still, and people didn’t have it in bars,” Cahill said. “If there was a basketball game or a hockey match on, they take priority over soccer.”

The bar lined its schedule with England’s top league, opening at 7 a.m., attracting area soccer fans. It also shows games from other top European leagues, the region’s MLS club D.C. United, and the U.S. men’s national team. A line of people will start to form around noon before marquee matches in the English Premier League are set to begin.

Cahill said it tries to cater to everyone, so if there is a request, “if we can play that game, we will play it, and we will always try to play it with sound.”

Allison Kasic, the co-chapter head of the Beltway Blues supporters group, told 海角社区app before Four Courts that it was hard to find a bar willing to show early morning Chelsea matches. Now, her group, along with seven others, calls the Arlington pub home, a dynamic that Kasic says she prefers for the open banter among fans.

“Four Courts is a really special place,” Kasic said. “It’s the staff, it’s the people that come here. It really feels like a community. We all know each other. (It) kind of feels like you’re coming home each weekend to see your friends.”

‘More than a soccer bar’

On Aug. 12, 2022, a ride-share driver suffered a medical emergency while driving on Wilson Boulevard, crashing his vehicle into the restaurant. The car then caught fire, further damaging the building. At least 15 people were hurt in the incident.

Rebuilding would take over a year, Cahill said, and the bar posted to support the recovery. During that time, the neighborhood 丑辞蝉迟别诲听several fundraisers, while the soccer fans who call the pub home came together to sell a special Four Courts scarf to support the cause.

“It’s hard to get football fans to coordinate on a lot of stuff because we all hate each other’s teams, but we came together,” Kasic said. “We did a lot of joint fundraisers, primarily making sure the staff was taken care of while they couldn’t work here.”

“During that time, we really learned that the Four Courts was more than a neighborhood pub, more than a soccer bar, it was a community,” Cahill said. “For us, that gesture kind of pushed us along and made sure that we could reopen.”

Four Courts reopened in September of 2023, with three plaques in its foyer paying tribute to the police, firefighters and customers who rushed to help the injured after the crash. That same week, it returned to hosting its slate of English Premier League matches.

“After the accident, we’re looking for bars to go to,” Chelsea fan Noah Krach, of Arlington, said. “The entire time, it felt like we were away from home, so I was glad once we got back here. It felt like we returned home.”

The recognition as America’s Best Soccer Bar doesn’t happen without the love and support from its Arlington community and the soccer fans that visit every weekend, Cahill said.

“The award for us, the recognition, really belongs to the supporters clubs, because for all their support and every encouragement they give us during that time, and they give us every week,” Cahill said. “The award is really for them.”

Courtesy Mike McMearty

Courtesy Mike McMearty

海角社区app/Jos茅 Uma帽a

海角社区app/Jos茅 Uma帽a

海角社区app/Jos茅 Uma帽a

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Seeing the plaque gave him hope, Leigh said, that he, too, could play in the NFL one day.

“I look at it every single day,” he told 海角社区app. “Like, ‘you can do that from my high school.’ I took pride in that, and every day, that was a reminder for me that you can do this here.”

Hundreds of college football players like Leigh are hoping to start their professional football dreams by being selected during the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh. After a decorated high school and college football career, Leigh said he is ready to take the next step toward making a childhood dream a reality.

Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 310 pounds, Leigh is projected to be selected on the third day of the draft in the later rounds. Leigh is coming off five seasons on Clemson’s offensive line, playing 2,202 snaps over 42 career games.

Since the end of the 2025 season, Leigh said he has been maintaining his fitness and participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl to get his name out to NFL teams. He has met with multiple teams, including the Titans and Chiefs, and spoke to them “from the heart” about his desire to play in the NFL.

“I want an opportunity to go showcase my ability and my love for the game,” he said.

‘Getting to work’

Leigh fell in love with the sport at an early age. His father, Stan Leigh, played running back at Virginia in the early 1990s and would share stories with a young Tristan about “knocking a dude out” while playing high school football. While Tristan played other sports, including soccer, basketball and swimming, he could not play tackle football until he was in the seventh grade.

He hit a growth spurt at the start of high school, making him the perfect size for a lineman, said Scott Vossler, who coached the Robinson football program at the time.

“Despite having size early, he had good feet,” Vossler told 海角社区app. “He was sudden, like he could hang and play basketball out there with kids that were pretty good. That athleticism really stuck out for us for a kid that was really, really big.”

Another standout quality, Vossler said, was Leigh’s team-first attitude, which helped the Rams average 380 rushing yards a game one year. Leigh loved opening holes for the Rams’ offense to move down the field and score with ease.

“I take pride in doing the hard work and grabbing that hard hat and getting to work,” Leigh said about playing offensive line. “You get to create opportunity for other people, and you have opportunity to bring joy to other people, and you get to do it in a nasty, physical, fun way.”

Leigh finished his time at Robinson as a five-star recruit and as a school ambassador, Vossler said.

“I thought that made it real easy for us as teachers and coaches to point at him and be like, ‘Guys, this is what it looks like. This is this is the work ethic, this is the behavior, this is the personality that we want out of all of you,'” Vossler said. “It was coming from our most highly decorated player.”

Preparing for the draft

Since his pro day, Leigh told 海角社区app he has been focused on training and preparing for when his name is called. He plans to be with his family and agent in Florida to watch the draft.
If his name is called, they will celebrate, but it will be time to “get back to work” and prepare for rookie camp, Leigh said.

“Wherever you know that I end up, or anything like that, I want them to see early on that they made the right decision in picking me,” Leigh said. “They’re going to get back on that investment. I want to be that guy every day.”

Before the season begins, Leigh said he hopes to return to the D.C. area to see friends, family and the upcoming players at Robinson. Vossler, who now coaches Westfield High School in Chantilly, said Leigh’s ability to always give back to the community is one of the best traits that any NFL team should cherish.

“It’s going to be great next fall if we can turn the TV on and see him out there on Sundays,” Vossler said. “But I’m extremely proud of him already, just for who he is.”

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Tyson Foerster scored the only goal in a shootout to lead the over the Carolina Hurricanes, sending the Flyers to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

With 96 points, the Flyers clinched third in the Metropolitan Division, mathematically eliminating the Capitals, who have 93 points. Washington is 42-30-9 overall and 16-7-2 within the division.

It marks the first time the Capitals have missed the postseason since the 2022-23 season and the first under head coach Spencer Carbery. The result also comes after Washington won its home finale against Pittsburgh, which may have been star Alex Ovechkin’s last game in D.C.

Washington, which is on a three-game win streak, ends its regular season Tuesday night in Columbus.

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Carle was stunned but understood immediately what the celebration was for.

The Quebecer took the Medical College Admission Test exam and learned in February that she had scored high enough to get into medical school. Since learning about her results, her teammates spent a month showering her with praise, including calling her “Dr. Carle.”

“They celebrated me for so long,” Carle told 海角社区app. “When that happened in the team room, I forgot what this was about. I forgot what they were congratulating me about until I realized.”

Most athletes focus on their playing careers until they retire. But last year, Carle chose to balance her career with her interest in medicine and prepare for the exam. The defender detailed her journey through the test with 海角社区app, including studying through the team’s championship run and suffering a migraine on exam day.

‘I just went for it’

Carle grew up with an interest in STEM-related topics, thanks to her father, Jean, who was a physician. In high school, her interest grew, with the goal of becoming a doctor one day.

However, her interest collided with her love of soccer.

In 2021, Carle with a 4.0 grade-point average in exercise physiology. However, she chose to play professional soccer rather than pursue medical school.

For Carle, who had been a part of the Canadian national team program since her teens, “med school can wait, but soccer can’t.”

“Both professional soccer and med school require full-time (attention) and your whole commitment, so they will have to be staggered,” she told 海角社区app. “But for sure, I think I would have never sacrificed my soccer career for med school.”

Four years later, Carle decided it was time to reunite the two.

Without consulting friends or family, “I just went for it,” she said.

Carle began re-learning topics she learned in college while learning new subjects. She purchased a Kaplan course to help her navigate the test.

The MCAT test is divided into four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills; Biological and Biochemical Foundations; and Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations. The scaled exam scores are from all four sections and are combined to form the total score.

Washington’s schedule helped her study. After morning training, she returned to her apartment or went to a local coffee shop and studied for two or three hours. Her teammates tagged along to the coffee shop with her, knowing Carle might not participate in conversations.

“Sometimes, if I found the conversation really interesting, I just pulled my AirPod out and just chime in, and then put the AirPod back in and keep working,” she said.

During Washington’s run to the National Women’s Soccer League Championship, Carle split her seven-hour practice sessions into sections to maintain her preparation. Following the season, she continued her sprint to the exam with more studying and practice tests throughout the Christmas holiday.

“It definitely was a grind, but when you’re in it, I think you’re just fully committed to it,” she said. “If you start thinking about how much of a grind it is, you’re going to want to stop. So for me, it was focus. This is what I have to do to be successful. And do this test well, so this is what I’m going to do.”

Grueling exam day

One January morning, as Carle got up for the MCAT, she experienced a migraine. Along with nerves and stress, she felt on edge as she arrived at the testing center.

As she read the first chemistry passage and questions, everything appeared too complex to answer. She took deep breaths, skipped the first passage and kept going with the test.

“I feel like I’ve just been put in the spin cycle in the washing machine,” Carle said. “There was a lot of doubt.”

Anxiety grew as she waited for the results. Her focus returned to the field and preseason with Washington as a helpful distraction.

Then, one day in February, she returned to her hotel room alone after training to see her results. After seeing the positive score, Carle called her boyfriend first before telling her teammates and family.

“It’s definitely a challenging test, but it’s also very rewarding once you’ve done it, to be like, ‘wow, I’ve accomplished this,'” she said.

Carle would not disclose her final score with 海角社区app. However, according to , a score of 511 puts one in the higher percentile ranks among all test takers in the country.

The test results are good for three years. While she is looking at medical schools, Carle told 海角社区app she doesn’t plan to start applying soon.

She recently signed a new contract with the Spirit , keeping her focus on the pitch for now.

“I love this area. I love the DMV, so right now I’m thinking of staying in this area,” Carle said of possible school options. “But again, you never know what happens in the future. I might end up back in Canada. Who knows?”

After her MCAT experience, Carle recommends that any athlete with off-the-field goals give it a try and put in the work to see if it is worth pursuing.

“The worst that can happen is it doesn’t happen,” Carle said. “But that’s life, and there’s so many things you can achieve in life, so why not try it?”

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Of all the festivities coming this summer to celebrate America鈥檚 250th birthday, one will test the country鈥檚 love for racing and its need for speed.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will bring IndyCar racing to the National Mall from August 22 to 23.

The almost 2-mile street course will feature the series鈥� best drivers racing along Pennsylvania, Constitution and Independence avenues.

Christian Rasmussen, who drives the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing, told 海角社区app the D.C. race is a good place for IndyCar to showcase to the country what its drivers are all about.

鈥淚 think IndyCar is the best racing product in the world right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven playing field. There are multiple drivers each weekend that can go out and win the race. The field is as deep as it’s ever been, so the level is super high, and it’s very exciting time for IndyCar.鈥�

Rasmussen, 25, entered the 2026 season looking to win his second career IndyCar race after in 2025. Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Rasmussen completed the 2025 season with seven top 10 finishes and finished in sixth place in the 2025 Indianapolis 500.

After learning of the Freedom 250 race, Rasmussen said it makes sense for IndyCar to explore a market like the D.C. region.

鈥淲e don’t really have anything in this part of the country,鈥� he said. 鈥淚’m excited to race here, and racing around the National Mall and around all the big historic landmarks.鈥�

Racing on street courses is something drivers in the series have grown used to as IndyCar race on a variety of tracks. Drivers will have to adapt to tight city streets and temporary barriers.

Rasmussen added that since streets are for everyday use, drivers will need to manage bumps and potholes as well.

Rasmussen said the drivers’ versatility to drive on multiple course types in a season makes IndyCar more competitive than other racing series in the world.听Those interested in the series will see cars driving at least 160 mph during D.C.鈥檚 grand prix, he said.

鈥淚 don’t know what the speed limit is, 30-35 normally?鈥� Rasmussen said jokingly. 鈥淲e’ll be going quite a bit quicker.鈥�

The two-day event will offer free general admission tickets, with fans being able to watch the race on limited grandstands and on screens along the National Mall. There will also be a free fan activation area between 12th and 7th streets. Those interested are asked to sign up for alerts on the .

Rasmussen advises anyone interested should sign up for tickets as soon as they are released, calling the race a 鈥渟pecial.鈥� While he wants all attendees to hear the cars race, Rasmussen said it might be a good idea to bring earplugs.

Rasmussen has 11 races ahead of the grand prix; he’s focused on his upcoming race in Long Beach, California, on April 19. However, he said it will be special to race in front of the Capitol and the Washington Monument, calling it 鈥済ood scenery鈥� for IndyCar.

It would be an even better view for Rasmussen, if he were to win the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.

鈥淭hat’s that would be huge,鈥� Rasmussen said. 鈥淎nd then doing it on the 250th anniversary would be even extra special.鈥�

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Two bills, introduced by 听补苍诲听 that would have provided $216 million of state bonds to fund a 12,000-seat stadium failed to get out of committee in either chamber and were not included in Maryland’s recently approved budget.

In a statement to 海角社区app, Edelson said while the bills have not moved so far, there is still time in the legislative session to get something done. However, if the bills are not successful, conversations will continue to bring “this transformative project to life.”

“This is a very big and ambitious project that is going to require significant community input to make sure we get it just right, so as to maximize the significant investment and potential the project represents,” Edelson said.

The MLS club first announced its pursuit for the 80-arce Carroll Park Golf Course site in February in a news conference featuring United co-chair and CEO Jason Levien and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott.

The stadium would house a new MLS Next Pro affiliate team, United’s youth academy and a new women鈥檚 soccer team, co-owned by NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, which would be the venue’s primary tenant.

During the February announcement, Levien said the project would be completed via a 鈥減rivate-public partnership鈥� and include听a stadium, a practice field and a 40,000-square-foot building with classrooms, a weight room, locker rooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria.

Samantha Ward, head of communications for D.C. United, said in a statement the team is still engaged in “highly positive and confidential funding discussions” on the project, which has received “strong, substantive support.”

“We have a clear strategy in motion and remain closely aligned with state and local leaders as we advance a sustainable funding approach.” Ward said. “The depth of support behind this effort gives us confidence in our ability to achieve this goal and move the project forward.”

was first to report the project’s legislative challenges.

海角社区app has reached out to Mayor Scott and Sen. Hayes for comment.

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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, is bucking the trend, hiring two women to lead its varsity football and baseball programs. It became the first high school in the commonwealth to hire two women for those two sports simultaneously.

Rachel Worsham will coach the Colonials football team in the fall, while this spring, Jennifer Hammond has started her first season managing varsity baseball.

Both coaches enter their roles with extensive resumes in their respective sports. They tell 海角社区app their hires mean more than wins and losses.

“The hope for both of us is that even though we’re the first, we won’t be the last,” Hammond said. “This is an opportunity to show girls and women that there are opportunities in sports that maybe traditionally had been closed off to them.”

Football coaching dream

Worsham, 43, has been waiting for an opportunity to be a head coach after her playing career ended after 12 seasons with the D.C. Divas women’s football team and USA Football. She served as an assistant coach at multiple Fairfax County high schools and was the head coach of the girl’s flag football team at Robinson Secondary School last year.

However, the former offensive lineman has loved tackle football since she was a kid. Once she moved to the D.C. area, she was recruited to the Divas. Following her playing career, she wanted to stay active in the sport.

“I’m passionate about coaching, passionate about being a head coach and it was really the next step for me and what I wanted to do,” Worsham told 海角社区app.

She applied for the role at TJ immediately after it opened. After her hiring, junior cornerback Luke Brazie met Worsham. He noticed a binder of offseason plans for the Colonials. Her preparation for the upcoming season won Brazie over, proving she was more than qualified for the role.

“Even beyond gender, she has had to go through so many more trials and tribulations to be where she is today, and it speaks to how good of a coach she is,” Brazie said.

“You don’t really hear about women in football and women in sports in general,” junior Andrew Haydon said. “So, to have a female football coach, it’s rare, and it’s a pretty cool thing to experience.”

Worsham cannot wait to get started with coaching her players. Until then, she checks in with her players, most of whom also play on the baseball team.

‘A bird’s-eye view’

For Jennifer Hammond, it has been a long time coming. She鈥檚 been on the Colonials’ coaching staff since 2019.

Hammond grew up playing baseball through high school. For 20 years, she鈥檚 played in the Eastern Women’s Baseball Conference, where she still participates as a player/coach. She鈥檚 also been on the coaching staff of the Alexandria Aces in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Summer League since 2021.

Now in her new role, Hammond said she will have “a bird’s-eye view” of managing the game and delegating smaller tasks to her coaching staff.

During her first game in charge, Thomas Jefferson’s season opener at Mount Vernon on March 18, the 45-year-old was excited, but immediately began focusing on the game.

“I wanted to take a few moments and be present,” she said. “Kind of take it all in, but we got down to business pretty quickly.”

Haydon, who plays third base, called Hammond “the heart and soul of our team,” and her promotion well-deserved. He credits Hammond and her calm approach for helping him recover from his torn labrum and keeping the team focused on baseball after a long day of classes.

“She definitely understands the way the team works,” he said. “Sometimes, getting on the players isn’t the best way to play the game. And so, just keeping us calm, getting us ready for the next play, the next opportunity to perform.”

A coaching ‘sisterhood’

Hammond was part of the committee that hired the new head football coach but did not learn of Worsham’s hiring until the official announcement was made.

The pair immediately began texting each other, with Hammond sending updates on players that both teams share. While they both have their own mentors, Hammond said the pair established a “sisterhood” of coaches at TJ.

“I think the women who are at the forefront of this didn’t ask for that added pressure, didn’t ask for that added responsibility, but are taking it on and are supporting each other along the way,” she said.

Both coaches said they understand the undertaking of leading a school that prioritizes academics over athletics. While they plan to help their athletes balance their workload on and off the field, the duo also knows they are symbols for the future of women in sports.

They both said they welcome the challenge at a school that welcomes diversity in its sports.

“Just really interested in being involved in a program that is excited about celebrating women too,” Worsham said. “Knowing that TJ is a little bit different, they are interested in breaking that barrier and having me involved in the program.”

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Oh, and expect even more congestion as basketball fans pack Capital One Arena for March Madness.

Cherry blossom takeover

The weekend kicks off with kite-flying and musical performances during the Blossom Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds Saturday. Thousands of visitors are expected to head to the Tidal Basin to take in the cherry blossoms; the puffy white flowers officially reached peak bloom Thursday.

The National Park Service recommended using public transportation for cherry blossom related events. The nearest train stop to the Washington Monument and the Tidal Basin is the Smithsonian/National Mall station on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Travelers can also get off at the Foggy Bottom, Federal Triangle or L’Enfant Plaza stations.

, Metro wrote bus riders can also take the D50 bus to see the cherry blossoms.

In a statement to 海角社区app, Metro said it’s 鈥減repared to move large numbers of customers鈥� around the region this weekend and it plans to have additional staff at stations to assist people. Customers are encouraged to or visit for real-time service details.

If you plan to drive, the National Park Service said to be prepared for 鈥渟evere traffic congestion, extremely scarce parking, and altered traffic patterns,鈥� which may lead to road closures.

Starting Saturday, East Basin Drive will be closed between Ohio Drive and the Ohio Drive Bridge from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. That daily closure will last through April 11.

These streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, according to U.S. Park Police:

• 17th Street NW between Constitution Ave NW and Independence Ave SW
• 15th St NW between Constitution Ave NW and Independence Ave SW
• Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW between Independence Ave SW and Maine Ave SW
• Independence Ave SW between 14th St SW and 17th St SW
• Madison Drive NW between 14th St. NW and 15th St. NW
• Jefferson Drive SW between 14th St. NW and 15th St. NW
• Madison Drive between 7th St NW and 14th St NW

‘No Kings’ demonstrations

At the same time, there will be multiple demonstrations around the country protesting the actions of President Donald Trump’s administration.

The rallies, dubbed “No Kings,” plan to bring together thousands of people who believe Trump and his actions represents a direct threat to American democracy. In previous editions, people either gathered in large cities or in their own communities in small demonstrations calling for 鈥淣o Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.鈥�

Multiple rallies are set to take place Saturday, including at the Frederick Douglass Bridge and the National Mall.听

A D.C. police spokesperson initially told 海角社区app there would be rolling street closures throughout the day at the smaller demonstrations around the city. However, the department announced in an update that certain road closures would be in place, though those closures are now over.

Drivers can follow for updated traffic details Saturday.

For details on traffic delays around the region related to the No Kings demonstration, download the 海角社区app app and listen to up-to-the-minute updates from the 海角社区app Traffic team.

March Madness invades DC

College basketball will cap off the busy weekend in D.C., as the East Regional final of the men鈥檚 NCAA Tournament will take place Sunday at Capital One Arena.

The matchup is yet to be determined, pending the result of Friday’s games. The winner will head to the Final Four.

Fans are advised to take public transportation and arrive early, due to the ongoing renovations at the arena. The Gallery Place Metro station on the Green, Yellow and Red lines provides direct access to the arena.

D.C. police will briefly close the F Street side of the arena before and after the game. In a statement to 海角社区app, Metro said it plans to follow its regular Sunday schedule and close at midnight. There are no plans to close stations later for the NCAA Tournament.

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The D.C. region will not host any FIFA men’s World Cup matches this summer, but it will be the home of one of the final friendly matches before the tournament as France takes on Colombia at Maryland’s Northwest Stadium on Sunday.

The friendly is part of the Road of 26, a collection of international friendlies in the United States and Europe featuring several teams that have qualified for the World Cup.

Soccer broadcaster Jamie Watson told 海角社区app these matches are the last time that national team coaches can evaluate their rosters before the World Cup, meaning Sunday’s match will feature the best possible rosters for both teams.

“All the big names will be there,” Watson said. “It’ll be all to play for.”

Stars prepare for the show

France comes to the Landover stadium with a nearly full-strength roster, led by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbapp茅. The 27-year-old remains one of the best players in the world following his performance at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored two goals, including a penalty kick, in the final against Argentina.

He showed no signs of a recent left knee injury when he scored a goal in France’s 2-1 victory over Brazil on Thursday in a friendly in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Watson said fans should expect head coach Didier Deschamps to play starters like Mbapp茅, midfielder Aur茅lien Tchouam茅ni and forward Ousmane Demb茅l茅 on Sunday as Les Bleus look to see how they play together against a top-tier opponent like Colombia.

“You know who your starting 11 is. You probably know who maybe the first 18 to 20 players are, but who’s going to fill out the full complement of 26 players on the roster,” Watson said. “And this is where it’s decided.”

Meanwhile, Colombia returns to the World Cup, having missing the 2022 tournament. Los Cafeteros are led by midfielders James Rodr铆guez, who recently signed to play with Minnesota United, and Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich.

Watson called Colombia a “dark horse” favorite to win the World Cup. They sit in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and the winner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Jamaica. Ranked No. 14 in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, Colombia poses a serious threat to any European side.

“This is a group that is young, it’s athletic, it’s hungry, it’s ready to roll its sleeves up and do what it takes,” Watson said.

Sunday will be Colombia’s second visit to Landover in two years. In 2024, the South American nation beat the United States 5-1 in front of over 55,000 people, mostly Colombian fans.

D.C. region perfects hosting

Watson said it makes sense to bring this type of match to the nation’s capital. He cited the region’s love for the sport: the over 70,000 in attendance at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for D.C. United’s match against Inter Miami and over 19,000 at the Washington Spirit’s home opener at Audi Field.

Though it will not host matches in the summer, the D.C. region has already played a role in the United States hosting the FIFA World Cup.

In December, to determine the tournament groups. This summer, Alexandria, Virginia, will serve as the base camp for the Croatian national team.

What will also help are the ticket prices; tickets start at $115 as of Friday evening.

Compared with World Cup match prices, which have soared to thousands of dollars, Watson said D.C.-area soccer fans are getting a special game at a reduced price.

“Simply put, this is a World Cup semifinal or better type matchup that you will be able to see at a fraction of the cost at Northwest Stadium,” Watson said. “You want to be able to see some of the best players in real life, and you’ll be within almost virtual touching distance of them. This is how you do it.”

Parking lots open at 10 a.m. and gates open at 1 p.m.

For more details on the game, visit

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One of those establishments was The Admiral in Northwest D.C. Dozens of fans packed the restaurant Friday afternoon with more arriving during happy hour.

Fans roared with excitement when the Kentucky men鈥檚 basketball team tied its first-round game against Santa Clara with a last-second two-pointer.

One of those fans was Dan, who is the owner of a hospitality company. He chose to close his office early to enjoy all the college basketball action with a large group of Virginia basketball fans.

He told 海角社区app that he did have to ask 鈥渦pper management,鈥� also known as his wife, if he could come out to watch games, saying 鈥渢his is not a normal Friday afternoon.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he weather is great outside; (March Madness) is one of the best sporting events of the year.鈥�

After a long day of studying at George Washington University, Zach said he was originally planning to go home and watch Virginia take on Wright State. After some convincing from his friends, he joined them at The Admiral to enjoying the game while drinking a beer.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always a great time watching it at home if things go well,鈥� Zach said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a guaranteed great time if you are out with friends because you can always make up for disappointment in the games with camaraderie.鈥�

Admiral management told 海角社区app it plans to see more fans come out to see games during the weekend slate of games.

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Here’s what you need to know.

Howard, UMBC prepare for First 4 encounter

Back in the Big Dance are the Howard Bison. For the third time in four years, Howard is in the NCAA men鈥檚 tournament and will play the University of Maryland Baltimore County Tuesday night as part of the First Four from Dayton, Ohio.

The winner will face No. 1 Michigan in the Midwest bracket.

Howard won the MEAC Tournament, holds a 23-10 record and has won eight straight games. UMBC (24-8) won the America East Conference and has won 12 straight games.

鈥淲e have earned it,鈥� Howard coach Kenny Blakeney told 海角社区app.

鈥淚 am so psyched and happy for our university,” Blakeney said. “This brand ‘Howard’ means so much to so many people and I hope we make each and every person that loves this university as much as we do proud.鈥�

The Bison will take on the Retrievers, who finished the season 24-8 and won the America East Championship game 74-59 over Vermont. UMBC is on a 12-game winning streak.

Joining Howard and UMBC in the Midwest bracket is Virginia, which landed a No. 3 seed after finishing the season 29-5. The Cavaliers, who finished second in ACC play, will take on No. 14 seed Wright State Friday in Philadelphia.

Another local team set to return to the NCAAs is VCU. The Rams (27-7) will make their 21st March Madness appearance after winning a second straight Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament. VCU will take on North Carolina Thursday night in the South bracket.

You can find (and fill out) your .

Maryland, Howard headline locals in women’s bracket

The Maryland women鈥檚 basketball team is back in a familiar spot. For the 16th straight season, the Terps are headed to the NCAA Tournament.

Maryland received a No. 5 seed and will play 12th-seeded Murray State Friday in the first round at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This is the Terrapins鈥� 22nd NCAA Tournament bid under head coach Brenda Frese in her 24 seasons in College Park.

Howard returns to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022. The MEAC champions earned a No. 14 seed and will face No. 3 seed Ohio State in Columbus on March 21.

Virginia Tech (23-9) landed as the No. 9 seed in the Fort Worth bracket and will take on No. 8 Oregon on Friday. If the Hokies advance, they will face off against No. 1 Texas on March 22.

West Virginia received the No. 4 seed in the Fort Worth region after finishing the season with a 27-6 record. The Mountaineers will take on No. 13-seeded Miami (Ohio) on March 21. The winner will take on either Virginia-based James Madison or Kentucky on March 23.

Meanwhile, two Virginia teams will start tournament play early in the First Four.

Virginia (19-11) sneaked into the tournament and will face-off against Arizona State Thursday. The winner will take on No. 7-seeded Georgia in the Sacramento 4 bracket.

Richmond (26-7) will make its third straight tournament appearance, earning an at-large berth and will face Nebraska in the First Four on Wednesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The winner will face No. 6 Baylor in the Sacramento 2 bracket.

See the women’s bracket online

The Associated Press contributed to this story.听

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During the 74th minute, before a throw-in, referee Sergii Demianchuk stopped the match to speak with United striker Tai Baribo. Demianchuk then spoke with D.C. head coach Ren茅 Weiler and Chicago’s Gregg Berhalter before restarting the match.

Major League Soccer’s Spanish-language broadcast was the first to report the use of 听toward Baribo.

In his response to the pool reporter after the game, Demianchuk said a “reported discriminatory slur” was made by an unidentified fan toward Baribo. The response did not include what word was said.

During his postgame press conference, Weiler said the stoppage was due to a fan in the stands saying “something negative,” but did not want to elaborate further. He added that he asked the head official to continue the match immediately and “don鈥檛 give it the power and the scene.”

Baribo was not made available for comments after the game. He continued playing following the incident, scoring the game-winner in United’s 2-1 road win.

The striker joined D.C. last December after a $4 million trade and became its new designated player. Baribo also plays for the and has spoken about being Jewish.

Chicago Fire said in a statement to 海角社区app:

During last night鈥檚 match, we were notified of an alleged incident in which an individual was reported to have made a derogatory remark toward a player on the field. In response, we immediately deployed additional security to the sideline near the reported location.

Chicago Fire FC does not tolerate derogatory or abusive behavior of any kind. Any attendees found in violation of this policy are subject to removal and/or ban. We appreciate the cooperation of our fans in helping maintain a safe and inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

When discriminatory language is used toward players or coaches during an MLS match, , investigate its camera footage if possible and speak to team captains and coaches before restarting.

It is the second time that a match involving Baribo in Chicago was temporarily stopped. Last year, when Baribo played with the Philadelphia Union, a match was paused twice after some Fire supporters .

海角社区app has reached out to MLS for additional comment.

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