Kylian Mbappe reportedly chooses Real Madrid, 2026 World Cup match schedule released, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you had a great weekend. It was some pretty nice weather out there and tons of soccer, so let’s get into some of what we saw over the weekend.
Kylian Mbappé set to join Real Madrid from PSG this summer (ESPN)
Kylian Mbappé reportedly will finally head to Real Madrid in the summer. No word on if the pre-contract has been signed, but if it is and he really is going to the Bernabeu?
Los Angeles, Seattle selected as USMNT match cities for 2026 World Cup (SSFC)
The USMNT will play their opening and 3rd group stage match at the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. They will also play at Lumen Field in Seattle. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the World Cup final, while Estadio Azteca will host the opener.
Hong Kong officials ‘owed explanation’ as Inter Miami rest injured Lionel Messi (The Guardian)
Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s match in Hong Kong, a 4-1 win over a Hong Kong all star team. And, government officials are not happy about it, demanding an explanation for the star’s absence.
https://theathletic.com/5245193/2024/02/03/inter-miami-tour-messi
Duncan McGuire’s wild twisted transfer to Blackburn Rovers could be off after there was a registration error. No word on whether it has gone through or if he will have to return to Orlando City.
To understand Lindsey Horan’s comments, consider the issues behind them (The Athletic)
Steph Yang provides further context on Lindsey Horan’s interview late last week where she, among other things, said that American soccer fans “aren’t smart.”
Emma Hayes: Chelsea manager says lack of female coaches ‘a massive issue’ (BBC)
Emma Hayes is advocating for more women coaches, calling the lack of women in the coaching ranks a massive issue. She’s right, and more can be done to give more opportunities to women in coaching.
Let’s get this week started right!
DC United tied Al Wehda 1-1 in their Saudi pre-season phase.
The MLS website article wrapping up league-wide results had a summary which included the lineups and Pedro Santos nice near post freekick goal. The players were not wearing numbered jerseys so it looked kind of scrimmagy…
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-preseason-2024-st-louis-top-galaxy-lafc-fight-back-vs-charlotte
I agree about the lack of women coaches. Something NWSL should be requiring is that all teams have at least one if not two female assistants. I know that doesn’t guarantee the absence of a toxic environment. But having more women coach is just a good thing.
This Duncan McGuire fiasco is a case study on why last-day transfers are something to be avoided. Lucho Acosta is another case study. It’s so easy for these to be situations where a team’s first and second choices fall through, they’re desperate and grab at something and the details aren’t handled. Or they have second thoughts–kind of like waking up in the morning with a hangover and looking at the stranger next to you in your bed and going “OMG!”
Great way of putting it lol… sometimes these last-second transfers happen (or don’t) because the buying team is a mess. Sometimes I think it’s intentional – tapping up the interested player and making the current team take a low-ball offer or risk losing any payment at all (in addition to keeping a now disgruntled player).
Agreed it’s good to have more female coaches in general, and I give a affirming nod for your query as to whether it could help prevent a toxic environment. Yet, wasn’t a female coach also sacked/cited for harassment in the recent past? Predatorial behavior can be “gender agnostic.”
Gender does not predict sainthood. :^)
The Thorn’s coach, Wilkinson, was forced to resign after admitting getting involved with one of her players. There’s entirely too much predatory/inappropriate behavior on the women’s side regardless of who’s doing it. It goes beyond the coaching staff’s gender identity.
Nonetheless, it would be awesome to see more women get involved in coaching – men’s and women’s teams.
Agreed entirely.
I’m glad our ownership doesn’t seem as incompetent as the ownership of Blackburn Rovers is. Based on the comments on The Athletic article, they are owned by an Indian conglomerate who are absentee owners. Apparently, they haven’t been to a game since one the senior family members got hit by a snowball thrown by a fan in 2013.
Blackburn did pick up our own Ryan Nelson back in the day….
Probably previous owners….
Blackburn was also involved in botched paperwork when Nottingham Forest was trying to loan them Lewis O’Brien. Which worked out to DC United’s advantage for like 15 games or so.
Honestly I hadn’t even realized that, players association should put out a word to the guys about it.
If only O’Brien could’ve stayed the whole season…what could’ve been…
He was solid.
Rich people are so sensitive.
When I think of the stadium selections (and they seem more than reasonable), I still feel the odorous backdraft of Daniel Snyder.
The first time the finals are not in a capital stadium……(I believe, fact check me)
Ah, Munich 1974, I will go back on my meds….(Berlin would have been a serious reach back then, and Bonn wouldn’t cut it….). But it is the capital of Bavaria…so there!!!!!
It was always going to be a tough nut to crack. Some of us had dreams, with RFK headed to the wrecking ball, that some great new stadium could be built there, which could be designed with hosting the World Cup in mind. Sure, Snyder’s ownership got in hte way of legislation in DC authorizing a new stadium, but that hasn’t advanced much in the months since, either. Snyder or not, the team has a contract — a lease in Maryland that runs through 2027. Would the team ever have been willing to face penalties for breaking the lease to move into DC a year or two early?
They wouldn’t have to move, but the penalty could have been modified, or they could just drop bonds for the rent.
Anyone have a sense when World Cup tickets will be available to buy? I have family in PA, and that round of 16 game in Philly on July 4th has the suspicious feel of “If America leaves the group, this is where they land.”
Can you imagine Flyer’s fans next to some country’s Ultras?
Not gonna lie, I’m non-plussed that the US is playing all group games on the west coast. I know it cuts down on travel and exhaustion to be on one coast, but really? LA gets two games? Geez
When LA is Mexico territory not US territory if we’re honest.
Could be the federation wants to change that (good luck), maybe they’re just hoping for celebs to show. Whatever it is, I expect the Philly game is going to be the hoped for landing for the US
Mexico will be tied up in Mexico.
I would think it’s a nothingburger, guys.
Yet, it will be an opportunity for US citizens with passion for El Tri a chance to expand their wardrobe……
:^)
Would they ever do that given the rivalry between the US and Mexico in both Men’s and Women’s soccer?
In fairness, you’re both kind of right. There are fans of Mexican descent who support the US, and I imagine that there are those that try to balance dual fandoms. That said, there are far more El Tri fans in LA that show than US fans
I know several. They go with Papa when we play El Tri and slip into white for everyone else. I get it.