USMNT roster named, Messi likely to miss DC United match, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. I’ve been living at Capital One Arena this week for the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, so if you’re headed to any of the games, come find me and say hello! Now, some news from yesterday:
USMNT Concacaf Nations League Finals roster announced (SSFC)
The Concacaf Nations League roster was announced for the USMNT. While there were no DCU players or former Black-and-Red players, Berhalter specifically mentioned his decision to give Kevin Paredes some international action rather than have him sit and watch on the senior team.
Messi, Suárez lift Inter Miami into Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals (MLS)
Inter Miami stormed past Nashville SC to advance in Concacaf Champions Cup, but UH OH…what’s that, Charlie?
Hope you didn’t pay a grip for tickets on Saturday…
Why DC United’s Mateusz Klich & 6 other players deserve more attention (MLS)
Bradley Wright-Phillips thinks that our very own Mateusz Klich is slept on in the league and deserves more attention. I think we’d all agree that he’s a player that the league should notice more.
MLS roster rule change expected to loosen U-22 player restrictions this summer (The Athletic)
Looks like teams will have the ability to have 3 U-22 Initiative players along with 3 Designated Players once a rule changes in time for the summer transfer window.
Jan Oblak’s shootout heroics propel Atlético past Inter and into last eight (The Guardian)
This was a wild match, but Atlético Madrid sneaks past Inter Milan on penalties into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Borussia Dortmund also advanced to complete the final 8. The draw will be on Friday.
Juventus took McKennie’s locker and parking spot away last summer, Berhalter says (Pro Soccer Wire)
During the press conference discussing the USMNT roster, Gregg Berhalter marveled at the work Wes McKennie has done to go from being out of Juve’s plans to being their best player.
USMNT captain Adams returns for Bournemouth after six months out (Pro Soccer Wire)
Tyler Adams is back! The USMNT captain appeared for Bournemouth for the first time in 6 months to help them hold on to win a wild one against Luton Town.
Bournemouth’s U.S. owner launches Auckland FC (ESPN)
Bournemouth’s owner now has a new team in his portfolio. Auckland FC will join the A-League Men next season and the A-League Women the season after that, and will don jerseys that look like Inter Milan with black and blue vertical stripes.
Al-Hilal’s world-record streak raises fears over Pro League predictability (The Guardian)
Al-Hilal have won 28 in a row, setting a world record. Some in Saudi circles fear that it lessens the profile of the league to see a team win that many consecutive matches.
USWNT 2024 Olympic roster: Projecting the squad after W Gold Cup (Pro Soccer Wire)
A breakdown of who could be on the USWNT roster for the Olympics. Who would you take if the Olympics started tomorrow?
Have any footballers ever refused to come out for the second half? (The Guardian)
A breakdown of some moments in history when soccer players refused to play in the second half for various reasons.
Have a good Thursday!
Messi out? Who would have predicted that? I figured that as much when my season tickets dropped.
(Banging forehead with iPhone)
Maybe he’ll be available in the Eagle Bank Club to chat with Cherry Blossom clad fans…..
Let’s ram it down their throats.
Yeah the disrespect makes me want to see the game even more than if Messi were playing, would be great to see DCU turn in a complete performance against Miami
There’s disrespect is on so many levels. Price increase for the “Messi Game” for season ticket holders is one. Darth Garber “The Rule Bender” is two. Tata keeping Messi in for second half (the game was going well for Miami 2-0, despite already having a tweak, is three. Tata viewing us a someone he can bypass without Garber’s Sith Apprentice in play is four.
Any other feelings of disrespect, Commentariat?
Maybe Suarez can do a cannibal act just to satiate the crowd…….
I can’t wait to watch a competitive pro soccer team featuring my favorite team DC United play against Inter Miami Herons. I hope to see my favorite players, Christian Benteke, Matteusz Klich, and Steven Birnbaum although some might be dealing with injuries and unavailable to play.
I hear that Miami also has some good players dealing with injury issues.
I find the Adams situation fascinating. I didn’t even know the Cherries played midweek. Watching the highlights of this spectacular game he was involved in- or at least both teams had a rampant half.
Oblak had a bit of a Naeher PK shootout, although he didn’t shoot one.
Miami seems to be mainly focusing on tournaments right now and you can’t really blame them. With the amount of teams that make it into the playoffs they can afford to gamble on dropping points in league play right now because a solid back half of the season will put them in the playoffs.
It gives DC a better chance to pick up points so I won’t complain if Messi misses the match, but I also wouldn’t have been able to go to the game anyway so it’s less a miss for me. DC has already lucked out a bit by being able to play Cincy and NE when they were on short rest, a huge advantage given MLS salary cap.
I’d like to now offer these words of comfort to the ticket buyers who would never consider supporting their local soccer team, but will fork over considerable cash in hopes Messi plays and beats us: HA HA!!!
I share in your glee. Schadenfreude!!!!!!
I’ll be there, with cherry blossoms on!
Vamos!
The sad thing is just walking around out here in the suburbs I have a higher chance of seeing an Inter Miami Messi jersey than I am to see any DC United jersey.
And you know how long the overwhelming majority will root for that team? Just as long as Messi has legs to play in a highly athletic league
Can I just say that when I was a teen and in love with the NBA, I could never get myself to care for the Bullets/Wizards (even to this day) but I so admired one Charles Barkley that I pretty much jumped from one team to another to follow him. And yes, I bought tickets to watch him play as a Houston Rocket vs the Wizards when they were in town. And I don’t regret it. So I understand Messi fans. I was looking forward to finally see him play in person but I would have never paid more than $200 for a ticket just to see Messi.
Maybe I’m biased, but I view NBA and other American made sports fandoms in a different light than soccer. I don’t judge anybody in those areas for going with individual fandom- that’s pretty much all those sports have going for them, in my view. Being a soccer fan in America and not having some level of local support, I judge quite harshly. It’s a matter of growing the sport in your area, being part of a community. Fuck those that are just Messi bandwagoners, I won’t miss em when they fall off
You have the gall to compare Messi to Sir Charles!!!!!??????
;^)
Goff noting that DC will be without 4 players for the game against St. Louis. Peltola, Herrera, Fletcher, and Akinmboni. Hopefully Canouse is healthy enough by then to start for Peltola. I guess Antley replaces Herrera? Not a ton of depth at either of those positions. Maybe Rodriguez will finally play in place of Fletcher
Herrera and Peltola are huge misses, and Fletcher has been good off the bench. If Bartlett is good, that’s great news, though
Old Glory’s home opener is this Saturday at 4 PM at the Maryland Soccerplex as they host the Chicago Hounds
https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/old-glory-dc-the-areas-only-professional-rugby-team-is-back-in-action/65-6d9fdea1-cc14-4ed6-8ee7-ce35b51c1d7b
Verdine White a bassist from Earth, Wind, & Fire has joined the ownership group for Old Glory DC as a minority owner.
https://wtop.com/local/2024/03/music-superstar-now-part-owner-of-dc-area-sports-team/
This assures they will be relevant in September….
Caludia Pagan sits down with Chris McVey ahead of match day 4 as the next part of the “Inside DCU, presented by Audi” series on the team’s YouTube.
https://youtu.be/7EQGTIQQxVA?si=kOpcNgXnBg2gnafn
I’m really glad DC kept Claudia around after Apple took over all of the production stuff. She’s really done a great job, and these Inside DCU posts have been great so far this year
Agreed! She’s a treasure
Like she acknowledges in this one, there’s a lot of new faces to get to know around the roster these days, so I’m happy they keep highlighting the new guys.
Also, on Apple’s analysis of the match, Taylor Twellman said that Miami is very susceptible to set piece goals. REALLLLLLLLLLLLLY glad that Benteke is likely to be back for this one!
You stole my thunder.
Prediction for Miami: PAIN
Btw, I cannot WAIT for Ricardo Pepi to succeed Luke De Jong, who was completely useless in the last CL game.
OGDC news: https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2024/03/14/mlr-notes-rebolo-to-la-white-to-houston-noa-suspended/