The 30-year-old Baltimore, Maryland, resident recalled seeing prices earlier this year for his national team, Colombia, to play in the soccer tournament listed in the thousands of dollars per ticket. After going through a career change, Velosa knew he couldn’t stretch his funds too far.

“I just knew it was going to be impossible,” he told �鶹����. “I expected most matches to be upward of like $400-500.”

Fast-forward to May: Velosa checked FIFA’s resale platform and saw lower ticket prices for lesser-known group stage matches. He decided that it was more important to be at the World Cup regardless of the teams playing.

“This is (a) once in a lifetime opportunity to go to a dream event like this,” Velosa said. “I’ve never had a World Cup this close to me.”

Fans from all over the world have reportedly spent thousands of dollars to attend this year’s tournament, which is being staged in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. According to one business professor, FIFA’s approach to ticket pricing for the World Cup will continue through other forms of entertainment going forward.

“To me, it’s an accelerant,” University of Maryland Professor Henry “Hank” Boyd III told �鶹����. “It’s saying it was already there, and now we’re capturing it, and this is going to be our new normal.”

‘This will do’

This year, Velosa transitioned from 10 years in supply chain and logistics to becoming a social media content creator . Before making the transition, he saved up some money for the World Cup while starting his new venture.

Before tickets went on sale, FIFA announced it would use dynamic pricing for the World Cup for the first time. The pricing structure allows ticket prices to fluctuate depending on demand. It is a similar pricing structure used in the U.S. for most live entertainment events, including concerts and sports, with World Cup tickets starting at $60.

However, as requests came in from around the world, prices rose immensely, with fans saying they paid thousands. Colombia traditionally has strong travel support, leading to its group stage match tickets being among the most expensive, even before travel costs to Mexico or Miami are included.

“When you have half a billion requests for tickets, and you only have 6.5 million seats, it’s inevitable,” Boyd said. “Prices are going to just go up accordingly.”

Despite his desire to see his native country play in the World Cup, Velosa ultimately chose to buy tickets to the Group E matchup between tournament debutants Curaçao and African side Ivory Coast in Philadelphia. It cost him around $270, and to save costs, he will attend the game by himself, with his partner Emily driving him to the stadium.

“It’s not perfect, like seeing your team, or seeing one of the knockout rounds,” he said. “But this will do, and I’m just super excited about that.”

Velosa’s decision to go with a lower-priced game is an outlier, Boyd said. Most attendees tap into their discretionary funds to pay for experiences like vacations and sporting events. For most fans, seeing their team in the World Cup is a “golden moment” and is worth paying more for.

“He’s saying, ‘Look, I want to be part of it, I want to be there, but I’m not going to lose my mind, I’m not going to go crazy about this, and it’ll be something that I can at least sleep with it at the end of the day, saying, I think I did the right thing.'”

Dynamic pricing here to stay?

Despite the pushback, Boyd said dynamic pricing in sports is in full effect, and FIFA’s use of it is an expansion of it. Despite some empty seats, most stands at the U.S.-based group stage matches have been full, with diehard fans paying whatever it takes to get in.

“You would think people would be logical and rational, like why would you shell out so much money for just one event, but sports is something unique,” Boyd said. “It’s not just a simple product, it’s more or less a unique experience, and so when we look at it from that lens, it starts to make sense.”

There has been some pushback against FIFA’s decision to adopt dynamic pricing. Before the tournament began, President Donald Trump he wouldn’t pay for $1,000 tickets, calling it “disappointing” if people from Queens and Brooklyn couldn’t go. The World Cup’s sky-high prices, along with its sales tactics for seat location, led to the attorneys general in New York and New Jersey subpoenaing FIFA over its pricing models.

However, the reality, Boyd said, is that once an organization or industry sees how much money can be gained by using supply and demand in its pricing, it’s hard to leave money on the table.

“This is where it’s going to be going forward, where you’re extracting out that last bit of, I guess you might want to call, consumer surplus that’s out there in the marketplace,” Boyd said. “That’s just the nature of the game.”

Boyd said that while the trend continues to grow in sports, only some music artists may be able to maximize their revenues by using dynamic pricing. This year, some artists canceled their tours after poor ticket sales due to high ticket prices, a phenomenon known as “blue dot fever.”

He would advise most fans to be sensible with their purchases and, if they really want to attend the event, take a nosebleed seat they can afford. However, Boyd said he understands some fans will want the best location at the most affordable price, while entities such as FIFA are looking to maximize profits. That balance will be key going forward.

“The makeup of the crowd will be big money down with great seats and way up in the nosebleed, maybe the diehard fans that have always been with the club, but they can afford to at least be in the space,” Boyd said. “That may be where we’re headed.”

As for Velosa, his focus now is to enjoy the tournament. His social media post announcing received positive feedback from fans of both nations, welcoming him to the match, and from other soccer fans facing similar financial situations.

He still plans to root for Colombia from home, looking for watch parties in the D.C. area to root on Los Cafeteros alongside other Colombian supporters.

“If you can’t really see your team, then there are these other options where you can still say that you went to a World Cup and experience that for yourself,” Velosa said.

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With the Croatian men’s national soccer team setting up its World Cup home base in Alexandria, Virginia, a group of business owners is setting up a special sales event to mark the occasion.

Starting Sunday, the  is hosting a special “Shop the Checkers” event. Participating stores with Croatian flags displayed on their planters will offer special sales, discounts or events related to the European country until June 28.

Guests can also receive a special-themed “Goal Getter” soccer tote bag for free with their purchase, while supplies last.

Megan Podolsky, the owner of Mint Condition and 529 Kids Consign, told �鶹���� that participating stores are staffed up to handle the influx of visitors from around the world coming to the city.

“This is not going to be like a normal summer where everyone leaves Alexandria and goes abroad. They’re all coming to us,” she said. “We’re just ready to welcome everybody, and we’re very excited for this opportunity.”

The Old Town Boutique Community features over 30 independently owned shops located on and around King Street, offering a variety of specialties from apparel and home goods to food and wine.

For Podolsky, having a community that comes together in times of support or celebration, like the World Cup, helps small business owners overcome the hurdles to run their locations the right way.

“It is all small businesses, it’s all independently owned, and so we do come together for tough times, so whether it’s COVID or the tariffs, we band together,” she said. “And that’s when this marketing collective becomes even more important to support each other.

For Lisa Katic, the owner of Wine Gallery 108, the World Cup is coming at the right time. She told �鶹���� that the tariffs on her imported wines and economic uncertainty have caused her some issues running her wine shop, calling it a “juggling act.”

“We’re experiencing definitely some issues in the economy, in terms of prices raising, gas prices being an issue for people, so we’re really looking forward to this,” Katic said. “This is going to be a really big, we think, influx to the city, and hopefully to the business during this time.”

Wine Gallery 108, which offers wine, gourmet foods and art, is a curated shop where Katic tastes everything before it goes on sale. To prepare for the “Shop the Checkers,” Katic — who is half-Croatian — began learning about Croatian wines. She contacted her vendors and extended the invitation to small Croatian wine producers.

Wine Gallery 108 will host three special Croatian wine tastings on June 16, 23, and 26, featuring 10-12 wines from various regions of the country.

“For us, and as a city, for me as a business, and us as a city, to have this opportunity is huge,” she said, adding that her shop will be filled with Croatian T-shirts, flags and decorations.

As for Podolsky, both of her businesses, which focus on high-end consignment for women and children, will have a sale on all red, white and blue merchandise. She welcomes any member of the Croatian delegation to stop by with their friends and family to see her store and others around Old Town Alexandria.

What would she do if a Croatian player stopped by during his stay?

“It would be an honor to have these guys in our stores,” Podolsky said. “Hopefully, their wives love some designer clothes, and they’ll want to come shop.”

An entire list of participating stories, a downloadable map and sales can be found on the .

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Traditional Croatian music played loudly on the sidelines of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, Wednesday evening.

Area residents watched as players of the Croatian national team braved the heat for their first training session at their new American home during the FIFA men’s World Cup.

Despite the love the Vatereni received since naming Episcopal High School as its home base for the tournament, players and staff made it clear: They are here to win.

“You won’t see Luka Modrić wandering the streets of Alexandria anytime soon,” Tomislav Pacak, spokesperson for the Croatian national team, said about the team’s captain and most well-known player.

Croatia landed in the D.C. region on Tuesday in preparation to play formidable opponents England, Ghana and Panama in Group L. Ranked No. 11 in the latest FIFA rankings, Croatia finished the last two World Cups in second and third, respectively.

While players of other teams and international fans have been seen walking around and getting a glimpse of American culture, Croatia has a tight schedule focused on training and rest.

Through an interpreter, midfielder Kristijan Jakić said all focus is on their upcoming matches, not on sightseeing.

“There will be chances to see more (and) to learn more, but our complete focus is football,” Jakić said. “Maybe after the World Cup, we will have more time to explore the U.S.A., the venues (and) the restaurants. But now, we are focused completely on football.”

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�鶹����/José Umaña

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�鶹����/José Umaña

�鶹����/José Umaña

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Before its first training session, a cultural exchange presentation took place. Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented Croatia’s technical director Stipe Pletikosa with a ceramic bowl representing the “strength and light” of the team and symbolizing hospitality. Every member of the team will also receive a special coin with the city’s seal.

“To have a team of this caliber, I feel like words can’t even describe,” Gaskins told �鶹����. “To have a partner that wants to grow with us in friendship and cultural exchange. For us, we see football is really the beginning of a long-lasting experience and relationship for our communities.”

The event was capped off with performances from the Alexandria City High School marching band and a Pennsylvania-based band performing traditional songs from Ogulin, a town in central Croatia. Afterward, invited residents and guests watched Croatia practice in the sun.

As players dribbled the ball around the green pitch, members of the Pennsylvania band began performing songs to distract the crowd from the heat.

Pacak said Croatia will stay in Alexandria through the group stage and stay a few days after. If they qualify for the knockout rounds, they will be city-hopping until their run ends. He added that small group gatherings may be scheduled for the team to enter the city.

While fans and residents may not get to see their favorite players out wandering the city, Gaskins encourages them to remain friendly to all of Alexandria’s guests during the tournament.

“You’re probably going to see somebody who’s a member of the press who’s traveled here all the way from Croatia,” she said. “You’re going to still have that opportunity to bond, to celebrate and grow in connection.”

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From large screens near the U.S. Capitol to enjoying a beer inside some of the area’s well-known establishments, below is a list of some of the area’s best places to watch a match during this year’s World Cup.

Global Watch Parties

Freedom 250 FIFA Fan Zone
D.C.’s National Mall; All tournament long

The National Mall will be home to an official FIFA Fan Zone, showing the majority of the tournament’s matches for free. The weekslong watch party will take place on the U.S. Capitol side of the Mall between 3rd and 4th Streets.

starting before 7 p.m. and the knockout rounds will be shown. All U.S. men’s national team games will air regardless of kickoff time. The site will open one hour before the first match daily and close one hour after the final whistle. Fans are .

Watch the World Play at Union Market
Northeast D.C.; All tournament long

D.C.’s Union Market is giving fans two options to enjoy matches during the entire tournament. At Hi-Lawn, located on rooftop above Union Market, watch games with oversized LED screens airing matches daily. Those fans looking for Latin America flair can head to for large-screen viewings, themed pop-ups and food specials. The events are free to attend and open to the public.

D.C. United’s Soccer Celebration
Multiple locations; June 12-14 and 19-21

Major League Soccer club D.C. United will host free watch parties, showing 14 selected matches across two weekends. The live viewing events will take place at Franklin Park in Downtown D.C. and Navy Yard’s Tingey Plaza. The events will also feature youth soccer activities, music and local food vendors. A schedule of matches and instructions for registering for free tickets can be found 

DC’s Ultimate World Cup Destination at Wunder Garten 
Northeast, D.C.; All tournament long

, a well-known outdoor beer garden located in the heart of NoMa, is teaming up with the adult recreational sports league, Volo Sports, for a tournament-long party with large screens to watch matches, drink specials and themed events. Check for updates.

Catch a Game on the Plaza
National Harbor, Maryland; Multiple dates

Enjoy watching matches outside in front of the National Harbor’s big screen in front of the Potomac River. No registration is needed, and you can bring your own chair! A list of matches being shown can be found on the .

America’s Best Soccer Bar 
Arlington, Virginia; All tournament long

Recently named America’s Best Soccer Bar by Men in Blazers, Ireland’s Four Courts will show every , starting with all group stage games. Those attending matches should expect standing room only, and its back patio will be open for overflow. As part of the World Cup experience, flags representing all competing countries will hang throughout the bar, but as teams are eliminated, a pair of big scissors will come out to take down the flag.

World Soccer Championship Watch Party Wednesdays
Arlington, Virginia; June 17 and 24, July 1

The Arlington Mill Community Center will transform its plaza, gaming lounge and gym into “the ultimate soccer celebration space” and show three matches on three different Wednesdays. Games will be shown on a giant outdoor screen and there will be an EA FC gaming tournament for middle and high school-aged teens. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets and to

Country-specific watch parties

Argentina: Flor. Coffee + Books 
Northwest, D.C.; June 11, 27

Located in Georgetown, is an international bookstore established by a couple from Buenos Aires, Argentina. During the World Cup, it will screen matches at its outdoor patio. Tickets are between $25-35 and include 2 alcoholic drinks, a “lomito argentino” sandwich and a typical pastry. There are spots still available for .

Austria: Aslin Beer Company
Northwest, D.C.; June 22

The Embassy of Austria will host a special outdoor viewing party of Austria vs. Argentina at Aslin Beer Company’s 14th Street location. The event is open to all ages, but . Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site.

Belgium: The Sovereign 
Northwest, D.C.; Multiple dates

Located in Georgetown, The Sovereign features classic Belgian dishes and multiple Belgian-style ales. , it will offer $6 De Halve Maan Brugse Zot blonde beer and half-priced mussels.

Columbia: Pride — Fútbol — Rumba Watch Party 
Northwest D.C.; June 17

Nellie’s Sports Bar on U Street will be hosting a special Pride watch party, showing Colombia taking on Uzbekistan, along with live music and nightlife vibes. The event will be an LGBTQ+ inclusive event and entry is free. A special raffle will take place with multiple giveaways, including two tickets to Latin star Karol G’s concert at Northwest Stadium and a spot on a Pride parade float. Raffle tickets are $20 and .

Croatia: Continues Arcade
Alexandria, Virginia; June 17, 23 and 27

Enjoy playing arcade games while watching the Croatian national team at its home base of Alexandria. Continues Arcade will be hosting watch parties for Croatia’s group matches against , and . Fans wearing jerseys will receive a special discount.

England, Scotland: The Queen Vic 
Northeast D.C.; Multiple dates

, located at 1206 H Street, will open early for all Scotland, England and U.S. matches with happy hour pricing between 5-7 p.m. everyday. No reservations are needed but first come, first served.

Germany: ‘Inclusivity is the Goal’ watch parties 
Multiple locations; June 14, 20 and 25

The Goethe-Institut, Germany’s official cultural organization, will host at Pitchers DC and Atlas Brew Works. It is free to attend and will include face painting and the chance to win “some soccer swag.”

Haiti: Hook Hall
Northwest, D.C.; June 24

The Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, Roots of Development and the Haitian Ladies Network are hosting a family-friendly showing of Haiti vs. Morocco with TVs and projectors showing the match, activities, live music and Haitian metal art for sale.  tickets start at $10 before fees and children under 11 years old get in free. Tickets at the door start at $17.85. Haitian food and drinks are sold separately.

Latin America: Casta Rum Bar
Northwest D.C.; All tournament long

The Cuban-themed rum bar will host ” showing all games featuring all Latin American teams, including Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, during the entire tournament. Games will be shown with Spanish commentary, and prizes will be given out to those who guess the final score. It is free to attend but you are encouraged to reserve a spot.

Mexico: Apapacho Taqueria & Marea
Northwest D.C.; All Mexico games

The two Mexican restaurants inside La Cosecha at Union Market will host live viewings for all Mexico matches. Those in attendance can receive a for each Mexico goal.

Spain: Embassy of Spain watch parities 
Northwest D.C.; June 15, 21 and 26

The will be holding three official watch parities for Spain’s three group stage matches. On June 15 and 26, enjoy a special game day menu with at Casa Teresa restaurant at The Square DC on 919 19th Street. On June 21, head to Franklin Hall to watch La Roja take on Saudi Arabia.

USA: American Outlaws watch parties
Multiple locations; All U.S. matches

“Sing, sweat and celebrate” with the most ardent supporters of the U.S. men’s national team at one of two official watch party locations with the : Franklin Hall on Florida Avenue in Northwest or Solace Outpost in Navy Yard. It is free to walk up and no ticket is needed.

Missing a watch party event? Email the details to jose.umana@wtop.com! 

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The UFC elected not to use the D.C. commission, which normally serves as an independent party supplying judges and referees, and examining fighters’ health before and after their fights.

Commission chairperson Andrew Huff said the UFC determined it was not required to use the agency because the card is taking place on federal land.

That could set a precedent for future fighting events, Huff told �鶹����.

A promoter could effectively schedule a boxing card at Malcolm X Park, which is on federal land and controlled by the National Park Service, and simply not seek to work with local regulators.

“In essence, it’s another example of federal overreach into our local affairs,” Huff said. “This is an event that’s happening in our jurisdiction. Our commission, in our view, has the authority to sanction and regulate the event, and we are not doing so.”

When it comes to fighter safety, Huff said a referee employed by a promoter could be influenced to not stop a match “because it’s not in the best interest of the company or the event.”

“There’s always the possibility that that individual, because they’re not necessarily impartial, would allow a fight to continue, and someone could get really injured,” he said. “Whereas a commission official would have no stake, no interest in the event, other than working the event and doing their job.”

The card will be sanctioned by the Association of Boxing Commissions, or ABC, an umbrella organization for all combat sports regulators in North America.

The UFC wanted the White House card to be “among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport” and asked it to bring the “most qualified group of judges, referees, and inspectors in the world,” association president Timothy Shipman .

“The UFC has further confirmed that it will abide by all applicable regulatory requirements in support of this event, including all required medical examinations, pre-bout and post-bout physicals, and athlete safety protocols,” Shipman said. “All bouts on this card are officially licensed and sanctioned contests.”

While Huff said he didn’t know of a fight card ABC has sanctioned before, he attended its annual conference. The association’s history of creating unified MMA rules, along with the UFC’s resources, provided Huff with some comfort regarding fighters’ health and safety.

“It does provide an additional layer of oversight and regulation, so that to us is a good thing,” he said.

While the District won’t sanction the event, D.C. fire, police and other agencies will still help, as will federal law enforcement.

Although the UFC elected not to work directly with the commission this time, Huff said the relationship between both entities remains strong. The UFC held events in 2011 and 2019 at Capital One Arena, both times working with the commission.

He called the organization a “professional outfit” and hopes it will work with the District in the future.

“I think it’s unfortunate in this case that the UFC has chosen not to work with us, but at the end of the day, this is a good thing,” Huff said. “We’re looking forward to having them and all these fight fans in town for it.”

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Montgomery County Public Schools decided to cut girls’ gymnastics in February, sparking backlash from its gymnastics community and a petition to keep the program going. The seven participating high schools started the 2025-26 season with 119 gymnasts and had 79 remaining on the rosters by the county championships.

Director of Athletics Jeffery Sullivan told the Montgomery County Board of Education during its work session Thursday that the athletics department did not offer the opportunity to provide feedback on the data leading to the decision.

“As a result, we will continue gymnastics for the 2026-27 school year,” Sullivan said.

The county athletics department has a seven-step decision-making process which includes . Two steps, requiring feedback from coaches and the affected community, were never followed.

Sullivan said he addressed coaches during a postseason meeting last spring but didn’t return to the coaches or seek the gymnasts’ input. He said it was clear that the coaches and the gymnasts wanted the program to stay.

“We were doing a data analysis of the program, and I will own the fact that we did not go back in that process to the gymnasts and to the gymnastics coaches again and ask through that process,” Sullivan said. “We ran through the checkpoints of that process without going back and getting additional stakeholder feedback.”

Sullivan told school board members that participation in gymnastics has declined by 20% nationwide, and that the school system has struggled to find qualified coaches to fill vacancies. He highlighted Springbrook High School, which had only three student athletes competing and a coaching vacancy.

While it is not in the school district’s “DNA to cancel or take away,” Sullivan said the data collected and the voting support from area principals, athletic directors and showed it had the support to end the program.

“All of the other districts have discontinued gymnastics, and no district that we’ve checked with has said they are considering any expansion of gymnastics,” Sullivan said. “We are the last county offering.”

While Sullivan said protocol was followed, he added that the athletic department plans to create a standalone process for eliminating or discontinuing a sport that will give everyone involved a chance to provide feedback.

School board member Rita Montoya pushed back, arguing that athletics already had a decision-making process, which Sullivan presented at the start of the session.

“We don’t need to establish a process,” she said. “We have one, we just didn’t follow it.”

Montoya added that the department failed to speak with those who participated in the sport daily and instead relied solely on data and votes from people not in gymnastics to make its decision.

“I’m not a gymnast, so I don’t know. So, yes, I need to hear from them,” she said. “And with all due respect, Mr. Sullivan, I don’t think you’re a gymnast either.”

Anuva Maloo, the county board of education’s student member, questioned the composition of the student-athlete leadership council and asked whether there were any gymnasts on the committee. Sullivan said he could not confirm but would provide a roster in the future.

Maloo said it would not be fair for athletes playing different sports to decide the future for affected athletes.

“From an equity lens standpoint, if there were not any gymnastic representatives on that council, or any other sports, for example, that are not represented on that council, then we need to move forward and look into at least ensuring that there’s one representative from each sport attending these meetings,” Maloo said.

School board president Grace Rivera-Oven said while the vote from other school leaders was very clear, the school system needs to listen to its students. She thanked those who spoke at previous school board meetings and advocated for the program.

Gymnastics’ future outside of the 2026-27 school year remains unclear. In a letter provided to �鶹����, Sullivan said the athletics department will work with parents, coaches and student athletes to “establish clear and transparent metrics and processes” for the upcoming season.

In a county that is home to three-time Olympian Dominique Dawes, Rivera-Oven said she hopes Montgomery County schools can find a solution to keep the program alive for years to come.

“I will hope that we can find a way … that we can transition some of that passion and love that we have for gymnastics and that little community,” Rivera-Oven said. “And see (if) we can work with those, maybe outside the school system, that might be willing to work with our young athletes who love the sport.”

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D.C.’s Audi Field will host the 2026 NWSL Championship on Saturday, Nov. 21, marking the title game’s return to the East Coast.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Tickets will go on sale later in the summer. Fans are encouraged to sign up for the presale event .

A formal announcement with league officials, the Washington Spirit, D.C. United, and Events D.C. will be made at the Southwest venue Wednesday afternoon.

“Washington, D.C. has become one of the premier destinations for women’s soccer, with an incredibly engaged fan base, a vibrant soccer culture and a community that continues to champion the growth of our game,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement.

“As soccer captures the attention of fans across the country this year, the NWSL Championship will serve as a fitting culmination of a landmark year for our sport in the region.”

It will be the second time Audi Field hosted the NWSL championship. D.C. hosted the 2022 final, when over 17,000 fans witnessed the Portland Thorns defeat the Kansas City Current to capture the club’s third league title.

Along with hosting the championship game, D.C. will also host multiple events leading up to the match, including the 2026 NWSL Awards, the NWSL Skills Challenge, and a fan fest. More details on those events will be provided at a later date.

Audi Field — owned by Major League Soccer side D.C. United — has been the Washington Spirit’s full-time home stadium since 2023. Since the move, the Spirit have cultivated a consistent following and strong attendance, with the stadium affectionately referred to as “Rowdy Audi” during their matches.

This season, Washington has averaged 15,546 fans through five matches, including three sellouts. The Spirit currently sits in fourth place in the NWSL standings (6-2-3, 21 points) and will look to make its third consecutive NWSL championship.

“Audi Field is one of the best soccer atmospheres in the country, and DC shows up for women’s sports like few cities in the world,” Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone said in a statement. “A fan base this passionate deserves events like this.”

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Last August, D.C. was , slated to start play in 2027. The volleyball franchise will be owned by the ownership group that owns Major League Soccer club D.C. United, All United Sports and Entertainment, led by investors Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan.

Recently, the franchise announced it has made two new hires as it continues to prepare for its first match next January. First, it hired Kate Greenberg, who has experience working with multiple D.C.-area sports teams, to be its team president. Then, on Wednesday, was brought in as the team’s first coach.

Greenberg and Collins-Parker spoke to �鶹���� about their roles, the team’s identity and future home, and the roster building for its inaugural season.

Experience builders

Major League Volleyball is the top-flight competition for women’s professional volleyball in the United States. Since its 2025 merger with the Pro Volleyball Federation, the MLV has grown to eight teams around the country. Heading into the 2027 season, D.C. will be , bringing the total to 12.

Collins-Parker is no stranger to the volleyball world. She was awarded the Honda Broderick as the nation’s top collegiate volleyball player twice during her time at the University of Hawaii. She played for the U.S. national team for seven years, including at the 1988 Olympics, and played professionally in Italy and France.

After her playing career, Collins-Parker coached college volleyball for 25 years, with stops at UNLV, Cornell and San Diego State, and won multiple conference titles. She transitioned to an assistant coach for the San Diego Mojo, leading them to the semifinals in 2024.

“Deitre Collins-Parker is a legend in volleyball,” Greenberg said. “It is such a signal for the type of franchise that we are building on the court, specifically in her case, but off the court, the standard of excellence, then the depth of experience that she represents is exactly what we were looking for.”

For Greenberg, it was a no-brainer to be a part of the growing league. She previously worked for the Washington Nationals, Washington Spirit, and D.C. Defenders in marketing and business roles. According to a release, she will oversee its “commercial, operational, and community-facing functions” ahead of its inaugural season.

“The opportunity to build a franchise from scratch, and that means everything, every piece of it, on the business side and the volleyball side, is a really unique opportunity,” Greenberg said. “It’s the type of thing that I enjoy sinking my teeth into.”

Both hope to lean on each other to build D.C.’s franchise into a winner. Collins-Parker said she was hired as an “expert in volleyball,” and she believes the ownership has assembled a front office that will help put “the best foot forward.”

“She may not understand what kind of offense I’m running, but she understands the need for me to get the best hitter that I can,” Collins-Parker said. “I think we work well together. It’s the mutual respect that is going to make the difference in everything.”

Team name, colors, logo coming soon

D.C.’s volleyball team’s identity, including its name, colors and logo, has already been developed and will be revealed “very, very soon,” Greenburg told �鶹����. Fans are encouraged to on the team’s website to receive the latest news leading up to its first match.

“Our name and our visual identity are rooted first and foremost in the sport of volleyball but also has unique and distinct connection to D.C.,” Greenburg said.

The team is still working through options for its training site and home venue. Greenburg said the region has several “really wonderful, viable playing venues,” and the team may not play in the same arena every year as it grows.

The team may start in a smaller arena and grow into a bigger one, with the ultimate goal of calling D.C.’s soccer stadium, Audi Field, home once a roof is added, Greenburg said. Games inside the stadium would bring MLV to “a stadium setting” as seen around college volleyball.

“The opportunity for us here is to grow and scale the team year after year after year into potentially bigger and bigger venues until we’re able to play at Audi Field,” she said.

Levien previously told �鶹���� last August that he is exploring a private-public partnership with the D.C. government to expand the 20,000-seat stadium, which would include an enclosed roof.

Regardless of venue, fans can expect to be close to the court, including floor and courtside seating, Greenburg said.

Currently, the eight MLV teams play in venues of various sizes, with the , setting a new attendance record for an indoor women’s professional volleyball match.

Once the logo and name have been released, Greenburg said it can start connecting with the area’s volleyball communities and selling tickets and merchandise.

‘Finding athletes’

For the next few months, Collins-Parker will be talking to agents, recruiting players, and building a roster ready for the opening serve of the new MLV season.

League rules state teams will field a  with no more than three international players. Collins-Parker plans to build a defensive-first team with a diverse roster that will be hard to beat.

“We’re going to have the attitude that no ball hits the floor, so if that happens, we’re in long rallies,” she recalled telling a potential player. “You’re getting to see the ball cross the net a lot, because we keep sending that ball back to you.”

While building her team, Collins-Parking, currently based in Arizona, hopes to visit D.C. to meet potential fans and build anticipation for the franchise’s inaugural season.

“The community makes the girls feel professional, and the girls being professional makes the community feel excited,” she said. “We’ve got to merge those two things and really make D.C. a special place to be and play, because people have bought in and support the wonderful women that we will have.”

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Sarah White loves women’s sports. The 44-year-old restaurateur often had TVs at Westover Taco in Arlington, Virginia, tuned to games featuring D.C.-area teams.

When White bought out her fellow business partners earlier this year, she was asked about rebranding the bar. That’s when she thought about her love for women’s sports and the need for fans to find a place to watch their favorite teams play.

“I said, ‘Well, I like women’s sports. I watch a lot of that on TV, and we already show it, so maybe I’ll just expand on that,'” White told �鶹����. “Put up some women’s stuff around the store, and they said, ‘Oh, like a women’s sports bar.’ I said, ‘Yeah, like a women’s sports bar, I guess.’ And it just took off.”

With TV ratings up and stadium attendance growing, women’s sports have seen increased interest in recent years. Now, Westover Taco looks to become the main headquarters for women’s sports fans in Virginia.

The bar underwent a makeover earlier this year, with TVs mounted throughout, posters of famous female athletes like Serena Williams and Mia Hamm, and neon signs championing women’s sports.

Each TV broadcasts live or recorded women’s sports games. A women’s football trophy sits on top of a coffee maker. An autographed book by former soccer star Brandi Chastain rests alongside a D.C. Shadow ultimate frisbee.

Along the narrow hallway to its Washington Boulevard entrance, the bar’s walls are adorned with autographed jerseys from area teams, including D.C. Divas football and D.C. Shadow.

Since a featuring players from the D.C. Divas and DMV Queens football teams, White said the bar has been full of men, women and children to watch the action.

White said she was “shocked” at how quickly people supported the concept.

“We have a huge fanbase here,” she said. “And they’ve all really enjoyed having a place that they can go, where they know the game will be on, they can cheer with other fans.”

Teams have also been supportive. Some smaller women’s sports teams have already hosted watch parties and fundraisers at Westover Taco, and she’s been talking to representatives of the WNBA’s Mystics and soccer’s Washington Spirit.

Fans can learn what games Westover Taco is showing by  or following the bar . White said they will have access to every streaming service possible to watch every game involving area teams.

“There are tons of people out there looking for a place to watch women’s sports, and they just hadn’t found it in the area, and knowing that now they can come here and we’ll have it, it’s been great,” she said.

Westover Taco’s menu got minor upgrades. The bar always focused on Mexican food, White said, such as tacos and burritos. Now, patrons can get fajitas and steak platters, along with traditional bar classics. In June, the bar will serve drinks named for local teams. White said some money from those sales will be donated to those teams.

White said sales have remained steady, but she would like to bring in $10,000 a week by the end of the year.

Greater sales would allow Westover Taco to lend more support to the area’s youth and women’s sports community, she said.

White, who also leads the booster club for the D.C. Divas, said there are still female athletes who pay to play for their teams.

“They still need our support to be able to travel and play these games and do the things that they do,” she said. “Anything that you can do to volunteer some time with the team, or to help, maybe partner them up with somebody you think would be a great sponsor for the team. Go out and do it.”

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Brendyn Andrew, 34, will serve 54 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for multiple charges including SNAP benefits fraud, aggravated identity theft, passport fraud and witness tampering.

Court documents revealed Andrew used the identity of more than 30 people on the Department of Human Services’ online system to apply for SNAP benefits between February and June of 2021. Later that October, while executing a search warrant at his home, officers found more than 15 electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards under different names in Andrew’s possession.

Then, in January 2023 and February 2024, Andrew submitted numerous passport applications claiming to be other people, including his own brother. U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show Andrew used the fraudulent passport with his brother’s name to fly multiple times.

While in custody in Baltimore, in March 2025, prosecutors said he told his girlfriend, Dominique Collins, 38, of Stafford, Virginia, to delete an email account so it could not be used as evidence against him. Collins pled guilty for this past March.

According , Andrew’s case is part of the Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force, which looks to eliminate “fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.”

Andrew pleaded guilty to .

Along with his sentence, Andrew has been ordered to pay over $41,000 in restitution.

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“They found some lymph nodes that looked suspicious, and when they biopsied it, it actually came back as metastatic melanoma,” Hylton, 56, told �鶹����.

The mother of two spent the next two years trying to get better, but instead, more melanoma was found in her right breast and abdomen last April. She was advised to visit MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in D.C. for a new treatment recently approved by the FDA.

One year after receiving the treatment, all of her tumors are gone.

The new treatment, called tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, or TIL therapy, uses a patient’s own immune cells found inside their tumors; it’s the latest therapy doctors are using to combat solid cancers such as melanoma. Doctors hope it can be an option to patients who feel they have run out of effective treatment options.

The immune system can recognize foreign substances in the body and clear them, such as infections and other illnesses, Dr. Geoffrey Gibney, head of the Melanoma Disease Group at MedStar Georgetown, told �鶹����. Immune cells that wipe out foreign objects can do so against cancer, but they are unable to clear it quickly enough.

With TIL therapy, a melanoma tumor is removed from the body, then processed to extract T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that destroys cancerous cells. Once identified, they are cultured with a special protein, interleukin-2, which prepares them to target and destroy cancer cells.

“These are the patient’s own cells,” Gibney said. “They’re selected to be the ones that are recognized and can attack the patient’s tumor, and those are manufactured into the product and eventually put back into the patient.”

The T cells and other medications are infused back into the patient to fight the cancer. It is a two-to-three-week treatment, starting with chemotherapy to prepare the body, Gibney said.

“It does take a lot for the patient to go through, but when it works, we’ve seen very durable responses, so that’s what we’re hoping for patients when we offer it to them,” he said.

‘I can start planning for things with a future in mind’

The diagnosis hit close to home for Hylton. She lost her grandfather in the 1990s and a family friend’s father-in-law to melanoma.

After having a negative response to immunotherapy, Hylton was recommended TIL therapy.

“I have two teenage daughters that I’m raising, and the idea of being present for them at a point where it was looking a little bleak for a while there with the cancer spreading and the lack of response to immunotherapy,” she said.

She started the TIL therapy in May 2025 and left the hospital in June. In her first set of scans in August, most of her tumors in her body had shrunk or were gone.

But Hylton did not get excited until the second set of scans revealed that almost all of them were gone.

“Honestly, it was a little bit of disbelief,” she told �鶹����. “I thought, ‘Well, that’s good, that’s awesome,’ but I’m not going to really let myself believe it until I have another set of scans, so by the second set of scans … I was like, ‘OK, now I can stop always feeling like I have to do concurrent planning. I can start planning for things with a future in mind.'”

In total, Hylton has had four scans of her body, and no cancer tumors have been found. Gibney said she is doing great and will continue to receive scans every three months.

Gibney said the treatment has been studied since the 1980s, and research shows it can be effective in other tumor types. He added that clinical studies are currently showing positive responses in patients with lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and cervical cancer.

The focus now is to provide more outreach to offer TIL therapy to those who need it.

“That has really been our focus, is getting the word out about this treatment, not just to the oncologists in the community but also the patients who are coping with metastatic melanoma and other solid tumor types. Because we have clinical trials that we can offer patients to participate in and similar types of treatments,” he said.

For Hylton, TIL therapy was a “lifeline” to her, and she hopes others can do the same. With a clearer future ahead for herself and her family, Hylton said she can think of college graduations or retirement instead of cancer.

She and her teenage daughters, Claire and Makiah, plan to take their first trip to the West Coast to visit family, thanks to TIL therapy.

“I can’t be more thankful for TIL for giving me this chance,” Hylton said. “This lifeline really is what it was.”

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Officers fatally shot a man after police say he shot and killed a woman inside an Alexandria, Virginia, apartment early Monday morning.

Alexandria police Chief Tarrick McGuire said officers responded to a call of a woman shot in an apartment along Canterbury Square at around 4 a.m.

Once they arrived at the scene, officers found the man down a hallway, barricaded in a room. McGuire said they believed the woman who was shot was inside the room where he was barricaded.

The officers began issuing “verbal commands” to the suspect, telling him to put his hands up, but he refused to comply, McGuire said.

As they continued to engage the suspect, McGuire said the man came out from the barricade.

“The suspect then emerged, running full speed at the officers, charging at them, and there were two service weapons that were fired by our officers,” McGuire said.

After shooting the man, officers gave him life-saving measures while putting him into custody. Police found a woman who had been shot multiple times inside the bedroom where the man had previously barricaded.

The man and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not reveal their identities.

McGuire would not say whether the man was armed or if any weapons were found.

Both officers who fired shots are on administrative leave while an investigation continues. McGuire said that both officers have over seven years of service.

McGuire said the department plans on sharing the body-worn camera footage from the scene “within a reasonable time period.”

Below is a map showing where the incident occurred.

�鶹����’s Abigail Stuckrath contributed to this report.

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Major League Soccer club D.C. United will host free watch parties, showing 14 selected matches across two weekends. The live viewing events will take place June 12-14 at Franklin Park in Downtown D.C. and June 19-21 at Navy Yard’s Tingey Plaza.

“This is the world’s biggest sporting event, and we want residents and visitors to come out and enjoy,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a news conference Friday.

Called “Soccer Celebrations,” the first watch party will feature the United States men’s national team’s first group play match against Paraguay at 9 p.m. in Franklin Park. A schedule of matches and instructions for registering for free tickets can be found

Along with large viewing parties, the events will also feature youth soccer activities, music and local food vendors. All the games will be shown in English, a D.C. United spokesperson told �鶹����.

“Washington, D.C. has long been a place for the global game of soccer,” D.C. United President of Business Operations Danita Johnson said. “Being one of the founding clubs in Major League Soccer, we take so much pride in the global game.”

Gerren Price, president and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, told �鶹���� when D.C. United approached the idea of a watch party, it was “a no-brainer” to include Franklin Park.

DowntownDC, the Navy Yard business improvement district and the team are covering the costs and bringing in sponsors to help support the events.

“Look, we have space for almost 10,000 people, so please come one, come all,” DowntownDC’s Lukas Umana said.

In 2022, FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, passed on a joint bid by D.C. and Baltimore to host games for the 2026 tournament. The combined bid had Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium as the key venue for matches, with the National Mall hosting fan festivities.

When asked about the lack of matches in D.C., Bowser acknowledged the failed bid, stating, “We tried, and so I think that we won’t be dealing with this question, we hope, when the women’s World Cup is here, because we’re going to have a new facility where they can play.”

In the meantime, Bowser said the idea of having watch parties in the heart of D.C. is “brilliant.”

“Sometimes, the organizers and leagues need to see fandom in action, and this is a good way to do it,” Bowser said. “And to make sure we have official events, they’re well attended, they’re well organized, well executed. That is just another feather in our cap for the next time around.”

Former D.C. United striker Alecko Eskandarian called the growth of the sport “monumental” since growing up through the 1994 tournament.

Now, watching his former team get involved in setting up watch parties shows what a “great opportunity” it is to get more support for the sport, while giving soccer fans a place to watch matches.

“I think the watch parties are going to be where it’s at,” Eskandarian said. “People are going to come together, they’re going to watch, they’re going to smile, enjoy, they’re going to cry when their teams lose, but most importantly, get to experience the beautiful game.”

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The Washington Nationals’ newest recruit is not thinking about throwing strikes or hitting home runs.

Natty, the team’s first-ever team dog, is training to become a future service animal. The 2-month-old golden retriever and Labrador retriever mix will train alongside Nationals players, staff and fans as part of his development to prepare him for his career after baseball.

Jackie Cheshire, one of the two volunteers training Natty, told �鶹���� the puppy will learn 35 different cues during his 18-month training in the D.C. area and improve his social skills in stores, parks and Nationals Park.

“He is curious and bold and confident and a really great dog,” Cheshire said.

Natty is one of six siblings learning to become service dogs as part of Canine Companions, a nonprofit that trains service animals.

Once he arrived at Nationals Park from California on May 5, he was already “taking reps” and roaming around the entire stadium, Valerie Todryk Krebs, vice president of communications for the Nationals, told �鶹����.

“He’s a five-tool kind of guy, and someone I think our players and our fans are going to be really excited about,” Todryk Krebs said.

Natty will be building up his social skills when he is around the team and fans at the ballpark. He will make his big-league appearance on Friday when the Nationals take on the Baltimore Orioles.

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As he gets older, Todryk Krebs said the organization will see what more they can do with him in between innings. As a member of the team, he will receive some perks, maybe even a “bejeweled ring or collar” if the Nationals win the World Series, she said.

Before his arrival, fans got to know the pup and chose his name following an online vote.

“He’s definitely got a lot of Natty-tude,” Todryk Krebs said. “He’s got a lot of personality, and so the name is really fitting.”

Cheshire said once training is complete in D.C., Natty will head to New York for six months of professional training before starting his service dog career.

Many dogs go on to serve people with a range of disabilities, including people with mobility issues, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and veterans with PTSD. Cheshire said dogs provided through Canine Companions are provided to people with disabilities free of charge.

Until then, is Natty ready for the pressure coming from the fans?

Laura Toelle, Natty’s second volunteer, says he’s up for the task.

“They’re going to love seeing him,” she said. “I think it’s going to be fun watching them interact with him.”

�鶹����’s Luke Lukert contributed to this report.

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When asked about starting rookie defender Nikola Markovic at right outside back in United’s 3-1 loss over the Chicago Fire, Weiler said Herrera “wants to leave.”

“That is a fact, and he told us that,” Weiler said during the postgame press conference. “I gave the chance to Markovic, because he has the future.”

Weiler did not elaborate further if the club is seeking a trade. Herrera did not play Wednesday’s match and was not available to speak with the media.

Herrera missed the start of the season for the birth of his child and to recover from a lower leg injury. He’s played seven matches during the MLS regular season, four of which were starts in more offensive roles.

Herrera is in the final year of a contract option United exercised before the 2025 season. According to the 2026 guide, Herrera’s base salary is $850,000 and he is set to make over $950,000.

Herrera quickly became a fan favorite after being before the 2024 season for defender Ruan Gregório Teixeira and $500,000 in general allocation money. In his two seasons with United, he’s played 26 regular season games, scored once, provided 12 assists and was named to the 2024 MLS All-Star team. His play earned him call-ups to the Guatemalan men’s national team.

Herrera becomes the second player Weiler has publicly called out.

During a he said Gabriel Pirani was not listed in United’s roster against NYCFC because he was “playing for himself instead of the team.” Pirani has not played for D.C. since April 15.

“(This,) I dislike,” Weiler said about Pirani. “I cannot see the joy in his face and the identification of our club, so he will not be with the team.”

Weiler was hired midway through the 2025 season, becoming United’s fourth head coach in five years. Under the Swiss manager, D.C. (4-5-4, 16 points) sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and was on a five-match unbeaten streak before Wednesday night.

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