Happy Thursday everyone. There was a lot of news that hit the streets yesterday, so while we continue to stay cool from the oppressive heat, let’s recap:
Ballon d’Or award 2023: Messi, Haaland lead nominees (ESPN)
Lionel Messi is one of the leading finalists for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, alongside Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr. Could he get his 8th Ballon d’Or?
Hermoso accuses Rubiales of sexual assault for WC kiss (ESPN)
Jenni Hermoso has officially pressed criminal charges against Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales for sexual assault. Hopefully this continues on the path of him being held accountable for his despicable actions.
Loudoun United will have a new set of jerseys next year as they have a new apparel provider in Capelli Sport.
September international window: Which MLS players were called up? (MLS)
D.C. United has 3 players who will be on international duty over the next week: Éric Davis and José Fajardo (Panama) and Andy Najar (Honduras). Ball out, gentlemen!
Can Berhalter really lead the USMNT to its best World Cup? (ESPN)
As the USMNT get set for two friendlies, with Gregg Berhalter back in charge as head coach, can he take the team to new heights?
USA Soccercast, Episode 114: USMNT roster and reconciliation (SSFC)
On my latest episode, we discuss the USMNT roster and take a deep dive on why Gregg Berhalter reconciling with USMNT forward Gio Reyna is more complex than him just picking up the phone.
Houston Dash fire coach Sam Laity with 4 games left in season (The Athletic)
Houston probably should have made this move long ago, but they dismiss Sam Laity with a month left in the season. They’ll name an interim coach in the coming days.
Spain women’s Liga F players striking for first 2 games of season (ESPN)
Liga F players are going on strike as they seek a higher minimum wage for the season. They will strike for at least the first two games.
Jorge Vilda sacking: Ex-Spain manager on his exit after World Cup win (BBC)
Jorge Vilda went on Spanish TV yesterday to say his firing was unfair…welp, it was unfair to the players to have to take all that he did to them too.
Marko Mitrović to coach 2024 Olympics USA men’s soccer team (ESPN)
Marko Mitrović has been tasked with leading the U-23s into the Olympics next summer. Should be interesting how that roster is shaped.
Demarai Gray: Everton winger in advanced talks to join Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq (BBC)
Demarai Gray might be leaving Everton for the Saudi Pro League, which would really hurt Everton’s chances of staying up.
Finally, Segra Field will no longer be the home of rugby team Old Glory DC. They will be moving to join the Maryland Bobcats at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Just a couple more days of extreme heat, try to stay cool y’all!
US Rugby Foundation has announced that Major League Rugby (MLR) will be the title sponsor for US Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies: https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/us-rugby-foundation-announces-major-league-rugby-as-us-rugby-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-title-sponsor/
What a meaty post–tons of diverse stuff going on. I was shocked (earlier) to see what the minimum salary was for Spain’s women’s league. That’s got to be an artifact of 4 years ago when only 2-3 clubs were drawing fans.
Things are so wacko with Spain at the moment–their men’s NT captain taking so long to talk about this and this giving a non-committal response, a winning WC coach getting fired. For a lot of people without any background, they have no idea that this is so much more than “just a kiss” (which is bad enough) with Spain. The history with Rubiales and also Velda is appalling (I couldn’t believe that he required players to leave their room doors open up till midnight so he could confirm they were in their beds for curfew, or that they had to get permission to go shopping and then had to show what it was they bought).
The 2024 US Open Cup starts this weekend with the first qualifiers.
DCFC v MoCo 1776 (the fields at RFK) and VA Revolution v Aegean Hawks (Leesburg) are the two games in our neck of the woods.
I’ll probably head down to the first half of the DCFC game before heading to the game at Audi Field on Saturday. The start of my yearly dream of making it to every round of the Cup – inevitably to be dashed by a mixture of local teams getting knocked out and midweek games. It’s such an interesting tournament, particularly in the qualifying and early rounds. Lots of history too.
Old Glory to the Old Line/Bay State, out of the Old Dominion. Take your New Jerseys, Yorks, and Hampshires (and Englands, generally) and shove ’em! Here in the Midatlantic, we are oooooooooooold.
Berhalter will acknowledge his system of possession high up the field over all other objectives was flawed and not suited to the the modern game. He will find a way to utilize his players effectively to counter as well as build up with purpose, movement will improve, and I am fucking kidding.
With the Men’s Rugby World Cup starting tomorrow with hosts France playing the All Blacks of New Zealand, I thought I’d bring up the interesting rules regarding national team eligibility. World Rugby’s Regulation 8 governs eligibility requirements.
There are 4 ways for a player to eligible to be called up by a country (meet at least 1):
Players may also make a 1 time union (read country) switch if approved by World Rugby Regulations Committee. In order to make that change including meeting one of the previous requirements, the player must meet the following criteria:
Also the age of majority for “capturing” (ie capping) a player for 15s and 7s is now 18.
There is controversy about the union switch as disproportionally improving the Pacific Island nations when compared to others.
This is also the first Men’s Rugby World Cup without the US and/or Canada.
But Argentina and most of my male Argentine relatives (all former ruggers) will be there in France b
Super excited for the RWC. And my Māori All Blacks jersey arrives today, just in time!
What’s the best way to watch it on TV?
Its televised on NBC.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/where-to-watch-and-broadcast-partners/americas
Unfortunately it looks like to watch live you’ll need Peacock…
Does Peacock archive games (in DVR speak, “record”)? This Scotland fan has temporal conflicts….
That I don’t know.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/matches
Old Glory DC are bringing back New Zealand International and OGDC stand out #10 from the 2020 and 2021 MLR seasons Jason Robertson for the 2024 MLR season. https://twitter.com/OldGloryDC/status/1699800068508000417?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Robertson left OGDC at the end of the 2021 season for French Pro D2 side RC Narbonne where he played a season. After that season he signed on with French Top 14 side (French top flight Rugby) Aviron Bayonnais.
Old Glory DC have announced a formal player development partnership with Washington Irish Rugby Football Club (RFC).
Well courtesy of my friend and realtor I’ll be going to my first DCU game of the season and the first one I’ve attended since before May 20, 2022 when my daughter was born. Hopefully we beat the Earthquakes.