Here we go! I’m still tired from the Nations League trip, and I’m already gearing up for more:
Semifinal matchups and schedule confirmed for 2022/23 CNL Finals in Las Vegas (Concacaf)
It will be the USMNT vs. Mexico and Panama vs. Canada in the Nations League semifinals in Las Vegas on June 15th. The winners will meet 3 days later in the Final, while the losers will play in the 3rd place match.
Women’s World Cup 2023: Herve Renard to take over as France coach (BBC)
Herve Renard has left his post as the Saudi Arabia men’s coach and will soon become the coach of the France women’s team as they prepare for this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
USA vs. El Salvador, Concacaf Nations League: Man of the Match (SSFC)
Ricardo Pepi was voted the Man of the Match, but I think Miles Robinson might have been the true MVP for his play.
This is here because it means for us who have Apple TV, we may soon be able to have multiview for MLS Season Pass. It’s 2023, this should already be a thing for every streaming platform.
Indonesia stripped of hosting Under-20 World Cup by FIFA (ESPN)
Indonesia has had their hosting of May’s U-20 World Cup stripped because they failed to honor commitments, including the governor of Bali refusing to allow Israel’s team to stay there. Also, D.C. United fans will be interested to know that the current Indonesian FA president is former United majority owner Erick Thohir.
USL Watchability Tiers, 2023 (USL Tactics)
Loudoun United is listed on Tier 3, which seems low but the article does have some good things to say about the team.
Another former D.C. United player is on the move, this time to my hometown club:
That’ll do for today…enjoy!
(Squints at the possibility of commenting on Israel’s relationship with Indone…)
So, we’re playing Mexico? That’s fun!
Well, not fun, as much as a chance for one of two fan bases to melt down publicly on the internet for making a third place game, but still, more fun than Israel’s relationship with, what am I doing, more tea for you, monsieur?
“In French, she would be called La Renard and be renowned for her cunning.”
Rooney had a lot to say after coming back from illness. Lots of players won’t be available until next week (Akinmboni, Santos, O’Brien, Jeahze, Najar, Robertha). More interestingly, he said another new signing may be announced next week. I’d venture to guess it’s an academy kid like Ignacio Alem. He’s been training with the first team for a while and has done a great job with the academy. Just my speculation.
On the one hand, United has had personnel abroad on scouting trips (France and Portugal, I believe), and have an international slot open. On the other hand, there’s a good chance you’re right.
I’d initially read Goff’s tweet as saying a new signing would be available next week, and international players usually take a few weeks to get their visas sorted (hi, Lewis O’Brien!). If that was the case, then it was for sure going to be an academy kid. But then I realized he’s just saying the signing could be made next week. So who knows. The team needs help all over the field. Signing an academy player is further down my list of priorities right now, but I’ll take what I can get.
Good point about the scouts abroad. I had totally forgotten about that. Usually the rumor mill has churned out some names by now. I also feel like DC has a lot of salary cap tied up in older overpaid bench players (Ravel and Palsson) so getting a starting quality player from abroad would require some financial gymnastics like buying out Ravel which is still a possibility. Only time will tell!
I will say that if Rooney wants a player, the front office hasn’t been shy about going out and getting that player. (Two of those were Ravel and Palsson, so take the players that Rooney wants with a grain of salt.)
I have faith that if they see a guy, they’ll make it work to get him. And from Wayne’s words, it sounds like they’ve got a guy in mind. One of the areas they were looking to address was a backup striker for Benteke since Miguel Berry is now playing for one of the hottest teams in MLS, so the player that they might bring in is probably not going to be a world-beater, but you never know. You might get lucky.
All good points. I guess the main point is this signing may or may not happen and could be an academy kid, a plug-and-play starter, or anywhere in between. Ha ha gotta love it. Looking forward to fresh faces either way.
Given that Jeahze and Najar are out this week, that Santos is “iffy”, it’s going to be interesting to see our outside back situations. Durkin and Ruan perhaps (with Durkin at LB)? And then Greene as a sub? Or maybe start Greene and Ruan plays OMF?
I’d much rather see Greene and Ruan as outside backs. Durkin has struggled whenever DC has put him there. In fact, I’d rather have Canouse has an emergency outside back.