Portland Thorns officially sold, Miles Robinson heads to FC Cincinnati, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. We got some transfer news and club sales to discuss, so let’s get into it…
FC Cincinnati sign USMNT center back Miles Robinson (MLS)
Miles Robinson is off to join Luciano Acosta at FC Cincinnati. He’s probably looking to star on the back line in an effort to get to Europe.
RAJ Sports finalizes acquisition of Portland Thorns FC (PTFC)
RAJ Sports is now in charge of the Portland Thorns, where they will build a new training center but stay at Providence Park at least through 2035.
Biggest transfer priority for all 29 MLS clubs to begin 2024 (MLS)
What does D.C. United need, according to this article? Central midfielders.
USMNT’s Brandon Vazquez leaving Cincinnati for Monterrey (ESPN)
Brandon Vazquez appears to be leaving FC Cincinnati for Monterrey. If he signs, he’ll be playing in Concacaf Champions Cup and, potentially, the Club World Cup in 2025.
Social Distortion: An investigation into how fan behaviour is affecting players (Impetus 71)
This is a must read about how women’s soccer players are affected by fan behavior as the game becomes more popular.
USA, Man City keeper Steffen close to Colorado move (ESPN)
Zack Steffen could be headed back to MLS. Sources are saying he is headed to the Colorado Rapids.
Donovan Pines is getting some interest from abroad. Could he be an option for Barnsley?
Enjoy the day, y’all!
I think I’m just initially going to give my grade of Brandon Vasquez’ transfer based on his ability: Monterrey got fleeced. Granted, I don’t watch a ton of Cincy games, but I’ve seen Vasquez get chances for the national team, and he’s really limited. An old fashioned brick head of a forward who will hold up the ball a bit and score some headers, but will not create for himself one single time with sophisticated movement or on the dribble.
Anyone know why this dude, who isn’t even particularly young, gets an 8 million transfer?
While I obviously don’t know for sure, something that could have played a part in it could be that he has Mexican heritage (and was eligible to play for Mexico before committing to the US). I believe the Mexican teams have to have a certain number of Mexican players on their rosters, and given that they don’t have any salary cap really, the bigger teams may be more willing to over-pay some on decent talent that fits into their roster regulations. I’d imagine its a similar reason to why Paul is constantly being linked to Mexican teams as well
You’re probably spot on.
We’ve got a rather strange ecosystem here in the US and Mexico. Liga MX willing to pay big sums for dual nationals, selling little to Europe, MLS making it very difficult for NT players to get raises for their good league performances…
Delayed reporting on Major League Rugby, I’m sorry.
Announcement of the team name for Rugby ATL after franchised moved to LA: https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-officially-announces-rugby-fc-los-angeles-for-2024/
Announcement of the matchups and the change to the season format for the 7th season of Major League Rugby: https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/major-league-rugby-unveils-2024-slate-of-matchups/
Teams participating this season:
OGDC opens the season with a Eastern Conference Final rematch away at New England Free Jacks on Saturday March 9th in Quincy, MA. OGDC will play their home games at the Maryland Soccerplex this season.
I believe Barnsley has signed Pines, so that’s a done deal. As for Robinson and Europe, I think the key there is how long his deal is for. And I agree with the comments about Vasquez and being a dual national. That makes him very attractive to Mexican sides who no longer have a major stigma about signing talent from MLS.
Luis Zamudio has joined Ted Ku-DiPietro this offseason in getting engaged (although not to each other). Congratulations, Luis!
Goff reporting that his sources are saying that DC’s first round draft pick will be foregoing his next two years of college to sign with DC
Hoya Saxa!!!
This is helping my plan of building a talented young core to grow together and then supplement as players like Dajome and Rodriguez’s contracts expire and Benteke and Klich come off of DP deals.
Also, Murrell is tall! He’s 6’3″. Adding him gives us 5 outfield players that are at least 6’3″: Benteke, Bartlett, Tubbs, Akinmboni, and Murrell. (Miller, Bono, and Zamudio are all at least 6’3″ too.) Even with Pines leaving (probably), United will have a lot of targets for set pieces, and that’s not even counting Steve Birnbaum. Aaron Herrera is 5’11”, a pretty significant height increase over Andy Najar or Ruan.
This team could be absurdly physical…..
Me like. I haven’t seen Murrell play much. But I’d have to think that one of the selling points to Murrell is: come learn how to play behind one of the best pure targets in MLS–Christian Benteke. And he’s going to be getting frequent breaks so he lasts the season. For Murrell, that’s got to be persuasive.
I’m not sure how much Benteke will be rested. He played the most minutes of anyone on the team last year. I’d kind of expect things to be centered around him again. But it’s still a good idea for Murrell to be getting that pro training, and begin earning his wages. He’ll hit free agency that much earlier, too (or do well enough to secure an even better contract).
Berhalter tried to call up Yow for the NT January camp but his team wouldn’t release him.