Garay on the move, Spirit opens practice, and more: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
I think when I last spoke to you all, I was waist-deep in life’s business. I am now chest-deep, but I don’t foresee me sinking any lower. Nevertheless, this is pretty much the first time I’m even looking at soccer in a while, so I have no idea what’s really been kicking as of late. May your Wednesday Freedom Kicks be full of fascinating links to soccer content soon! Alas, that is not today.
D.C. United homegrown Jeremy Garay is on his way to El Paso on a loan spell to get some minutes.
Power Rankings: Atlanta United, Minnesota United level up in Matchday 4 (MLS): United find themselves smack in the middle of these rankings. This weekend’s match against Miami will likely move the Power Rankings needle in some direction.
Columbus Crew to Toronto FC: How legit are top early teams? (MLS): United’s next opponent is apparently very legit (a 9 out of 10). I refuse to grant any team the “legit” moniker this early in the season.
Washington Spirit Hosts Open Practice (WoSoDMV): More open practices please. I crave opportunities to engage with our local soccer superstars.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City: Every Premier League title-race fixture analysed (The Athletic): Arsenal got a crucial result last weekend when the Liverpool vs Manchester City match ended in a draw. The Gunners now find themselves in 1st place and in control of their destiny once more. I remain firmly in agreement with my late brother on all things Arsenal – until that trophy is in their hands, assume they will lose the Premier League; it’s just easier emotionally. Still, what an absolutely fantastic title race for a neutral!
So what’s happening in the world? More interestingly… what’s happening in your world? Fire off your kicks in the comments below.
Another year where Garay and Sargis are being loaned out. I’m guessing since Loudoun wants to be a legitimate team and move on from their days as a reserve team, they don’t have interest in bringing them back. I’m guessing they just aren’t in Lesesne’s plans as well; he’s been using plenty of youth as of late, so it’s not about him not wanting to use younger players.
Maybe Kasper can field a team somewhere?
And we have no backup if Canouse gets hurt again and when Peltola is with Finland. I hope Garay kills it in El Paso so he can get a shot somewhere, since it probably won’t be here.
Peltola has been called up to the 2024 Euro playoffs- sorry, my man, I hope you get knocked out, we need you!
Orlando and Minnesota are fined for mass confrontation policy violation: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/orlando-minnesota-players-fined-after-mass-confrontation-policy-violation
There are other fines for different violations in there as well.
Tom Bogert reporting in the Athletic that the league is expected to make a light roster rule adjustment this summer. Its expected that the DP and U22 roster spots will be de-coupled, so all teams will be allowed 3 DPs and 3 U22s, regardless of the how old the DPs are
That’s great, Miami still has too many clear DP’s, and is angling for more.
The USMNT Nations League 23 is out. Can’t say I disagree with any individual player called, think it’s pretty sound, but wow, Tyler Adams is on it. He’s apparently available, but stone cold form, and I haven’t heard of him getting a minute for his club yet (Bournemouth currently).
So, that’s probably the dramatic narrative in all this, especially if he displaces any of Reyna, McKennie, or Musah from the starting lineup.
Tata Martino more or less confirms Messi isn’t playing on Saturday due to injury.
https://x.com/cboehm/status/1768107291742543872?s=20