Benteke is player of the matchday, USL Super League at Audi, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Tuesday, everyone! How are you all enjoying this spring weather? I’m using the rain as an excuse to stay inside and avoid yardwork.
Another women’s soccer team is coming to Washington – and Audi Field (Washington Post)
It was originally reported that the new, Tier 1, USL Super League team would be based out of Segra Field. Personally, I’m not a big fan of this change that would make them the 4th tenant of Audi Field each spring. Given the trouble Washington Spirit had in getting D.C. United to agree to let them play full-time at Buzzard Point, I’m concerned this could make them homeless again when their lease expires in 2026.
D.C. United forward Christian Benteke voted Player of the Matchday for Matchday 13 (D.C. United)
His second time winning the honor this season!
Meanwhile, Aubrey Kingsbury is up for NWSL save of the week for her dual saves off of a Racing Louisville penalty kick.
Three things to know as North Carolina FC starts a two-game week against Loudoun United (USL Championship)
Like their opponents, Loudoun are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and could use the boost from a win.
USWNT, NWSL Red Stars await update on Alyssa Naeher injury (ESPN)
With just two months until the Olympics, starting GK Naeher joins the growing list of USWNT players with injuries that could impact their availability.
Why more MLS coaches aren’t on the hot seat; Benteke’s aerial expertise: Takeaways (The Athletic)
This week’s Athletic round-up included for some incredible stats about Benteke’s dominance in the air. For example, “Benteke has more aerial duels won by himself than 12 other MLS teams.”
NYCFC coach Cushing denies allegation he punches Toronto FC player (Pro Soccer Wire)
The claim is that Cushing punched a young player on Toronto FC when the two teams played in March, leading to the post-match melee last weekend.
Canada Soccer names Jesse Marsch as head coach of Men’s National Team (SportsNet)
Bizarrely, it sounds like the Canadian MLS teams are helping to fund his salary. Things really are a mess up there.
Since we have multiple midweek games this week, here’s a little midweek chart to help you keep the details straight.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United FC vs. North Carolina FC | Tue., May 14 at 7 p.m. ET | Cary, NC | ESPN+ |
| D.C. United vs. NY Red Bulls | Wed., May 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | AppleTV |
That’s all from me for now. Enjoy the day!
The strangest thing to me about the Marsch Canada job is not that MLS clubs had to chip in, but how his style of play seems dead wrong for Canada’s best players. Alphonso Davies thrives on width and space, and Marsch likes to compress and centralize everything. Buchanan will also be affected, though he seems like maybe he could adjust. Canada basically has four dangerous forwards and a bunch of scrubs to back them up, I don’t know if the Redbull brand of soccer is what the doctor ordered.
Well said about Marsh’s tactics being a questionable fit for Canada’s player pool. You beat me to it. 😀
Marsch is smart. Maybe he sees something we don’t with respect to his usual red Bull style, or he has a tactical adaptation in the works?
Smart and stubborn coincide in him. Maybe he surprises me with flexibility and nuance, but he didn’t show that at all in Leeds. Brenden Aaronson is still getting his game back after Marsch turned him into a frenzied malfunction, and he is a player suited to that style. I don’t think it’s wise for this Canada side to press high and play a high line defensively, so if we see that, I think Marsch’s dedication to his Redbull ethos has outweighed his intelligence. Badly.
He kept Leeds up, and that went his head.
We’ll see….(?)
The Canadian FC has only themselves to blame. They’re a hot mess–financially unsure, not well organized. They lost Herdsman because of it–and he’s found a system that fit the players well and maximized their potential.
I’m not so sure that Marsch is a terrible fit. He’s not initially a great fit. But the high press approach is a way to compensate for deficiencies in talent. And I do think Marsch is a good coach.
Benteke’s honor is well-deserved. And his dominance in the air–there is so much to that. it’s not just he’s tall, can jump, and is strong. His positioning, his timing, his comfort level in a crowd–he’s such a total package for the aerial part of the game.
As for the women’s team–so much needs to be sorted out with this. I always took it to mean that–despite the language–it would be to NWSL what USL is to MLS–a league below that develops players. The rationale for DCU–you’re filling the stadium (I believe the league kind of follows the traditional euro calendar of Fall to Spring) when it’s often vacant. Frankly, I’d rather have a third soccer team than lower division football, monster truck rallies, and concerts at the stadium. Now, if it’s an attempt to directly compete with the NWSL–meh.
Antley ruled out for the season with an ACL tear. Gonna REALLY need some wingback depth in the summer now
Christ.
He was quite good.
Fuck
Antley definitely surprised me. I didn’t have high hopes for him, or most USL signings. But he definitely didn’t look out of place. He’s not going to be a star or anything, but he was a pretty worry-free option, and also had massive flexibility to play all over the backline. His story mirrors Troy Lesesne’s as well.
On the bright side, I believe he’s under contract for next season. But for this season, it’s definitely a blow. There’s not really anybody to back up Herrera now, and we don’t have anybody that’s a true solution at left back.
We may have Tubbs and Akinmboni, but yeah, zero fullback options for sub or injury.
So…about Akinmbony…he just got loaned to Loudoun, so he’s not an option now either
Oh. Oh great.
I don’t think that happens if McKay didn’t have some guys lined up for the summer transfer window. It’ll still leave us shorthanded for a few weeks (which probably means more injuries and a shorter bench).
It’s bad, I feel for him. He had a place on this team.
How many blood sacrifices are required to have a starting-quality left back for a full season?
Sucks so much for a guy who has labored so hard to finally get to MLS. That turf in Atlanta is an abomination.
Benteke averaged a little over 7 aerials won per scheduled game last season; this season, 11.2 aerials won. At that pace he would win 380 (!!!) aerials this season. I cannot find MLS season records for aerials won but I’ll bet that the record isn’t even half that. An historic talent.