Before I spend some time with the Washington Spirit today, a few items to share …
***Lucas Mendes, a D.C. United Academy midfielder from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Va., is the Gatorade national boys’ player of the year. He is headed to the University of Virginia. Post colleague Nick Eilerson has the full story.
***The U.S. Open Cup commences with 23 matches involving teams from the fourth-tier PDL and NPSL, plus local qualifiers. In the Washington region, Charlottesville’s Aromas Cafe visits the Richmond Strikers at Striker Park in Glen Allen (5 p.