Greetings everyone. I was supposed to be writing this from my room in Grenada ahead of the USMNT’s match on Friday, but instead I write from a hotel bar in St. Vincent because my flight was canceled. Definite first world problems, but hopefully by the time you read this, I will be in the air headed from one paradise to the other. So, here’s the news:
First off, Falorin Balogun has been spotted in Orlando…or rather, he let everyone know where he was and people figured it out. Could he be actually committing to the United States?
Ex-Arsenal, Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil announces retirement from football aged 34 (ESPN)
Mesut Ozil is now officially retired from soccer. Maybe one day we’ll get that coffee shop…
USA vs. Grenada, Concacaf Nations League: Scouting Grenada (SSFC)
Ahead of Friday’s match, get to know the Spice Boys and what they bring to the table.
We take a look at some of the development that is Buzzard Point. It looks like one way or another, it’s starting to come together.
Egyptian referee Farouk suspended for using spectator’s mobile phone to disallow goal (BBC)
VAR booth was a bit too small for this Egyptian league match, so the referee was suspended.
Falorin Balogun may very well pull the trigger on that move, the English FA apparently can’t see past a 29 year old Harry Kane to arguably their best next prospect. Despite two significant attacking injuries on the current England roster, Southgate kept his squad as is. Meanwhile, the US federation would sacrifice Christian Roldan to Poseidon to get a forward of his quality to make our starting lineup immensely more formidable. I have a soft spot for Sargent and Pepi, this guy would blow them out of the water.
On this point about what England values, I don’t know how to justify the fact that we relatively easily got Yunus Musah and now perhaps another major youth star from what appears to be straight up xenophobia. England have national heroes, and can’t be bothered with this multicultural or multinational business when it comes to their players. The US will of course take full advantage and be much stronger for it, England have issues.
A recommendation: Could you make a tag for Freedom Kicks? Sometimes it is hard to find among all your posts (which is a good thing!).
Speaking of “First World Problems,” that’s a District Press Problem–and a good one to have, so much recent content on a range of soccer issues. Me like!
Ali Krieger is retiring at the end of the season: https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/03/former-uswnt-defender-ali-krieger-announces-retirement-from-pro-soccer-at-end-of-2023-nwsl-season
I’m just extremely proud of Ali for her bravery on and off the field. There’s a video somewhere on YouTube probably where several players were asked who the cutest international soccer player was- with the expectation that it of course be a man. Ali was clearly uncomfortable, but played along. I don’t know if the timeline meant she had met her soulmate, or if their relationship was even beginning to blossom, but I love that she was able to make a life for herself outside of expectations, and her family is truly beautiful. All the best to her.
After reading the Athletic’s piece on Lewis O’Brien (https://theathletic.com/4336576/2023/03/23/dc-united-lewis-obrien/) it made me realize how it seems like a lot of DC’s recent signings just seem like genuinely good people. Leeds players and fans alike both seemed to absolutely love Klich, and this article about O’Brien seems to paint a similar picture of him. And even beyond them, everything I’ve heard about Pedro Santos seems to indicate that he’s a very good teammate and locker-room presence. I feel like Taxi could even be included in that group (controversies from last season aside). While it’s nothing tangible, per se, it makes routing for the guys easier, independent of results.
Christian Benteke is supposed to be just a great human being too. And then the fact that there are so many homegrowns that played together in the academy or at Loudoun helps to have a pretty good locker room.
I remembered Benteke after I posted as well. He really seems like he enjoys being here and is really putting his heart into playing, which is great to see. Really, the only one recently that stands out as having a mark against him would be Ruan and his, uh, run-ins with Mora over the years. But to be honest, I have no idea what his reputation is outside of those incidents
Alex Bono seems to show up in a lot of social media posts getting along with the guys. I think he may turn out to be a good “glue guy.”
Harry Kane just scored against Italy to surpass Rooney’s goal scoring record for England.
I wonder if it’s happiness for him in the Rooney house, or unintelligible Scouse. 😉
Followed up by Grealish absolutely vomiting an easy goal opportunity from Harry Kane’s attempted assist
Apparently Rooney is pretty sick right now. Perhaps because of the anticipation of Kane doing just this?
Well, it’s probably some kind of flu or something. There had been talk of players being sick before games recently, and now maybe Rooney’s got it. Considering we’re coming off the traditional Yankee-Stadium-fills-our-injured-ranks week, missing players due to illness would really be unlucky.
Damn, hope he recovers, and hope the players are healthy