Ivory Coast wins AFCON, Qatar repeats as Asian Cup champions, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. What a Super Bowl last night, eh? The Kansas City Chiefs won after extra time, and a game that started out pretty bad turned into a thriller. But, Kansas City weren’t the only champions crowned on CBS or Paramount+ this weekend. We start with the
Qatar use 3 penalties to win the Asian Cup, making it two in a row. Jordan had to settle for the runners-up medals.
Haller the hero as Ivory Coast seal improbable Afcon win against Nigeria (The Guardian)
Ivory Coast comes back from a 1-0 deficit to win the Africa Cup of Nations over Nigeria, 2-1. The team who fired their coach because they thought they had crashed out in the group stage after a loss to Nigeria come back to win the whole thing. Incredible! South Africa defeated DR Congo on penalties to claim the bronze.
USMNT set for Copa América tuneup vs. Colombia at FedEx Field (WaPo)
It looks like the USMNT are returning to the DMV! They are set to play Colombia on June 8th at FedEx Field as a tune up for the Copa America. A major announcement is planned for Tuesday.
Gregg Berhalter will be in town for the big announcement, and afterwards, he will be meeting with AODC for a quick Q&A led by yours truly! If you have a question for Gregg, AODC is taking those via Google form.
Washington Spirit owner Y. Michele Kang officially adds OL Féminin to ownership group (DP)
It’s official. OL Fémenin is now under the Kang umbrella. She wants to go to work immediately to bring new resources to the club.
MLS 2024 countdown! What has defined your club’s offseason? (MLS)
The D.C. United offseason – with a brain trust change and several transactions – is summed up with the following: “The jury’s out on D.C. being a playoff-caliber group, but there’s a long-term reset unfolding here.”
2024 Preseason: State of the Spirit (DP)
André breaks down what the current state of the team is as we progress through preseason and start the countdown to the new season.
2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup to feature 4 Washington Spirit players; when and how to watch (DP)
We look at the 4 Spirit players who will compete at the 2024 W Gold Cup, and when you can see them play for their respective national teams.
Argentina tour of China canceled over Messi no-show row (ESPN)
Because Lionel Messi didn’t play for Inter Miami in Hong Kong a week ago, China has canceled Argentina’s tour where they were set to play Nigeria and Ivory Coast in friendlies in the country. They’re big mad at Messi not playing.
Loudoun United hits preseason with older faces, new energy (DP)
Ryan gives us the most in depth look at Loudoun United’s preseason that you’ll find anywhere on the ‘net, so check out what they’re up to as they prepare for a new year.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Brazil miss out on qualification as Argentina secure spot (BBC)
There will be a new gold medalist in men’s football at the Olympics, as Brazil failed to qualify for this summer’s tournament. They had won gold in 2020 and 2016. Argentina will be at the Olympics in their place.
Real Madrid’s Bellingham out for three weeks with ankle sprain (ESPN)
Real Madrid smashed Girona 4-0 in what was a huge match that created some separation at the top of the La Liga table. However, Madrid will be without Jude Bellingham for 3 weeks after an ankle sprain.
Let’s have a good week, y’all!
Not sure if this means anything or not, but something I noticed with DC’s recent social media posts, Canouse seems to be missing. He was not involved at all in the last game (or the one before that, I believe), and was also missing from the group photo they took from the end of camp. I know Lesesne mentioned possibly moving some players, but he also said Russ was a potential captain, so I’m not sure how to read into that. Just thought it was odd
Could have just gotten a knock and was getting treated.
So still no resolution on US Open Cup and MLS: https://theathletic.com/5264042/2024/02/09/mls-us-soccer-open-cup/
Man, I should not be in the same room as Berhalter, especially if I can ask public questions. Will skip. Questions I would ask: “Do you know anything about creating space for attackers? Correct answer: No. Do you honestly think that the team with the most listless possession wins? Do you know how weird you are with the back passes on the sideline? Can BJ coach while you nap?”
Bonus: Do you think high line defending without real pressure on passers has a benefit, and if so, how are you a professional?”
I’m fine with Troy Lesesne as a coach, but ah, those heady days when we thought maybe BJ Callaghan might be coming to DC.
Callaghan had an Arena-esque way of fielding the team. Put the good players where they play well and have them play in a way they play well. Don’t overcomplicate things – it works! But it also worked because we have good players. DC is a bit messier even though we do have some good players. But it would be cool if he got a chance at managing an MLS club some time.
That assessment of the DC United offseason is kind of superficial, but hard to say it’s wrong at all. The team could possibly make the playoffs, but the East is pretty strong. They’re definitely resetting things this season, and will hopefully be completing that in next season’s offseason and having a team ready to seriously compete for silverware in 2025.
I was banking on Chicago being bad this year because they had an aura of “we’ll just keep things the same” for so long. Then they go and make some real moves. The east is gonna be a mess.
We’ve still got Toronto. But maybe we wind up with another good draft pick to help us on our way!
I thought Insigne would make Toronto a juggernaut, and obviously nope. You never know in the East, even when things look good on paper
True, but most of those clubs are coming off of putting up a strong year last year too. Chances of a dramatic falloff for a bunch of them are slim. Plus Miami could really take off.
Oh, yeah, I’m not saying to deflate anyone in the the expectations department, just saying the East has been strong yet chaotic. As for Miami, their whole dynamic is likely to be a stamina management project with some pretty old players
Goff is reporting that Brandon Parrish, one of DC’s second round draft picks and a trialist in Saudi Arabia, was not offered a contract. I thought he might get one, and he did well to score in one of the friendlies. He was a central midfielder, so hopefully that’s meaning that Jeremy Garay showed enough to be the “break in case of emergency center midfield depth” that the team needs. Good luck to Parrish. Maybe he’ll sign with Loudoun, maybe somewhere else.
Graham Jones is still in training and in the mix to sign a homegrown deal. Given how little depth we have at full/wingback, especially on the right, I’m almost certain this is going to happen. Now, I don’t know if Graham Jones is a right back (I thought he was left), and we got rid of Jacob Greene, who actually was a right back, and a homegrown, but I would bet on seeing Jones on the senior roster this year.
Garay makes me wonder what we’re doing with him against the cap.
According to the MLSsoccer.com team roster page, Jeremy Garay is in Supplemental Slot 31.
MLS rosters have 30 players. If something like this is inscrutable to me, who spends an unhealthy chunk of each day thinking about an MLS team, that’s a problem.
MLS was like “it’s whatever” with Suarez being on Miami’s books, and they’ve done the same with us with… Garay… how thoughtful
At least one of them has functioning knees.
Yeah, I don’t have so much Suarez jealousy as 4th DP outrage. If Miami can make their spine that expensive, we should be able to use the same mechanisms to make us that much more effective. I am not impressed by the situation.
Darth Garber relishes in your dyspepsia…..