Washington
Washington needs to re-establish their running game against Atlanta

The Washington Commanders will attempt to secure their 11th win of the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Kirk Cousins was the anticipated matchup that Commanders fans were looking forward to. Unfortunately for Cousins, too many turnovers and not enough wins landed him on the bench following the Falcons’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
This is a high-stakes matchup featuring two rookie quarterbacks, Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix, who are attempting to lead their team to a playoff berth. The Commanders still have areas that need improvement; running back Brian Robinson Jr. and Washington’s run game has been stagnant for an extended period. In five out of the last six games, the Commanders’ running backs have averaged 19 carries for 58 yards. The lone exception where the Commanders’ running backs haven’t averaged three yards per carry came against the Tennessee Titans defense, where they rushed for over 200 yards. Daniels’ has carried the running game in recent weeks, mostly on scrambles, which is not sustainable long-term.
On Sunday, Washington must re-establish their identity against Atlanta if they want to have a legitimate shot at advancing in the playoffs. The running game issues are not a one-group issue; the offensive line has struggled to win at the point of attack. Their ability to get back to their early-season ways is not trending in the right direction as defenses have begun to adjust to them. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is very aware of the problem, and aludes to the issue primarily being a player-based issue, but can they get things turned around this week?
You can listen to the full Trap or Dive game post-game recap below. We discussed:
- Falcons offense much better with Penix?
- Can the Commanders run game get back on track before postseason play?
- How Washington should approach Bijan Robinson-led Falcons offense
- Injury updates; Marshon Lattimore and Jon Allen current game status
Podcast:
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Washington
Match Forecast: Seattle Reign FC Set to Take on Washington Spirit on Friday — Seattle Reign FC

This Friday, the Reign are back home at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington to take on the Washington Spirit. It has been nearly a year since the fifth place Spirit and sixth place Reign have gone head-to-head.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
WHERE TO WATCH: Fans can tune in on Prime Video or get tickets to attend the match in person HERE.
2025 NWSL REGULAR SEASON RECORDS AND STANDINGS (W-L-D): Seattle Reign FC: 4-3-2 (14 points, 6th place), Washington Spirit: 5-3-1 (16 points, 5th place)
Key Info Ahead of the Match:
1. LAST MEETING – The Reign and Spirit last met in May 2024 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The match got off to a rough start for the Reign, who conceded three goals in the first 45 minutes of play. In the dying minutes of the first half, the Reign pulled one goal back. Defender Phoebe McClernon crossed a ball into the box and forward Veronica Latsko headed it into the back of the net.
In the second half, the Reign held the home side to zero goals and scored one of their own, once against in stoppage time. This time, veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock earned the assist on forward Emeri Adames’s volley.
All time, the Reign lead the head-to-head series with 14 wins, 10 losses and eight draws, and have outscored the Spirit 47-36.
2. SCOUTING WASHINGTON SPIRIT – The Washington Spirit are just one spot ahead of the Reign in the NWSL standings, with five wins, three losses and one draw. The team most recently took on Utah Royals FC at Audi Field and drew 3-3, recording their first draw of the 2025 season.
The Spirit conceded a goal just nine minutes into the match but quickly found their footing and equalized in the 17th minute on a strike from forward Ashley Hatch, before taking the lead in the 19th minute when midfielder Meg Boade scored her first career goal. Three minutes later, Utah pulled level and then retook the lead on a Spirt own goal before halftime. It wasn’t until 12 minutes into second half stoppage time that defender Casey Krueger managed to score for Washington and salvage a point from the match.
3. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Lumen Field will play host to a variety of activations on Friday night for this can’t-miss match. The club is set to celebrate AANHPI Heritage around the stadium, with special performances, local AANHPI-owned food trucks and more!
The club is also excited to welcome our Healthcare Heroes out to the match with this special promotional offer, featuring an exclusive crossbody bag.
Once you’re in the stadium, there are family friendly games, poster making stations and more, and an additional opportunity to socialize with other Reign fans at Cityside bar. Hear from Reign FC Chief Business Officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom, Founder of Intentionalist Laura Clise and Co-Owner of Hood Famous Chera Amlag.
4. SCORELESS IN SEATTLE – Seattle Reign and the Washington Spirit have a long history of heated meetings since 2013, including several high stakes matches. Prior to the Spirit’s narrow victory last May, the teams had played to three straight scoreless draws in all competitions in Seattle. Washington is the only opponent Seattle has kept four straight home clean sheets against in all competitions in club history.
This season, the Reign have conceded just three total goals at Lumen Field and recorded two shutouts, while the Spirit have recorded a dominant 4-0-0 record on the road this season.
5. PLAYERS TO WATCH – For the Reign, it’s no secret that forward Maddie Dahlien has been a rising star in the final third, most recently scoring her second career goal to propel the Reign past Racing Louisville FC. The forward took three shots in the match, directing all three on target. She leads the league in shot accuracy among players who have taken at least five shots, putting 83% of those shots on target. On defense, Phoebe McClernon remains a crucial part of the backline with a 92% tackle success rate.
For Washington, defender Tara McKeown has been strong all season, holding down the backline while also contributing one goal to the Spirit’s 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, forward Ashley Hatch is tied for second amongst goalscorers in the league, with five goals in nine games, in addition to one assist.
Washington
Navy Yard residents call to lower DC's youth curfew

Some residents in D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood have begun an aggressive push to lower the District’s youth curfew to 8 p.m., or even earlier, after dozens of teenagers, and even younger children, swarmed the area Saturday.
There were reports of fights, disorderly conduct, two alleged robberies and some of the participants even made their way onto the upper floors of some apartment buildings.
“Summer hasn’t even begun yet,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Edward Daniels, whose district includes parts of Navy Yard. “Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, is this coming weekend. We’ve seen this twice in three weeks.”
He said what happened around 9 p.m. Saturday night on top of a similar event in April warrants a change in the District’s curfew law. Currently, those 17 and under cannot be on the streets without an adult between midnight and 6 a.m.
“As parents, because I’m a parent of a teen, you have to make the executive decision for safety,” said Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Markita Bryant, who also represents parts of the Navy Yard neighborhood. “We saw what was happening down at the Wharf, and they implemented an 8 p.m. curfew. Now it’s Navy Yard and U Street left, so what do we do? I recommend we have a curfew down here.”
Bryant said constituents told her some of the teens made their way past security at apartment buildings and were running through the upper floors. She called on parents to take accountability.
“What I saw was that parents knew where their children were because they picked them up at the end of the night,” she said.
Resident Carolette Sweatt said she believes the solution requires a multi-layered approach.
“The schools are the target area, and that’s our link to find the families that have troubles or that have barriers that are stopping them,” she said.
Curfew regulations, and any changes to them, must be approved by the D.C. Council.
Washington
Washington Capitals’ Alex Alexeyev pepper-sprayed by police, charged with public intoxication – WTOP News

Alex Alexeyev of the Washington Capitals has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said.
A Washington Capitals player has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said.
Arlington County police said Alex Alexeyev, 25, of Arlington, was arrested around 3:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard after a patrol officer deployed pepper spray on the Capitals defenseman.
Police said officers on patrol in the Clarendon area were flagged down by a witness who reported “an active fight outside a business” between Alexeyev and another person.
A first-round pick by the Capitals in the 2018 NHL Draft, Alexeyev made his NHL debut in 2021.
Alexeyev’s contract with the Capitals expires this summer and he’s slated to become a restricted free agent, according to CBS Sports.
The Carolina Hurricanes ended the Capitals’ season last week.
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