Klopp says no to USMNT, Bethune wins third straight ROTM honors, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! We are finally (albeit briefly) experiencing some cooler weather today, and I am actually looking forward to some time outside this evening. I’m not super pleased about having a thoroughly-scheduled weekend after a week in which I picked up more responsibility at work, but at least half of those activities are watching soccer matches.
It may not surprise you that a lot of the news and chatter in the soccer world yesterday was about Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT coaching job.
Report: Jurgen Klopp turns down approach for USMNT head coach job (Stars and Stripes FC)
Many fans’ favorite for the job, former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp, has reportedly turned down U.S. Soccer already.
Fallout from Gregg Berhalter’s departure…who’s next? (USA Soccercast)
If you’re wondering who else could take the job, Donald Wine discussed some of the options on his podcast yesterday.
Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune named June’s NWSL Rookie of the Month, Presented by Ally (Washington Spirit)
Bethune made news last month when she was the first person to be NWSL Rookie of the Month twice in a row. Now, she’s the first one to win three times in a row.
Martin shares thoughts on Loudoun’s midpoint (The District Press)
You’ll have to wait until later in the morning for this one, but Ryan Keefer spoke to Loudoun United’s coach about their season so far.
How Uruguay vs Colombia descended into chaos – and the questions raised by the ugly scenes (The Athletic $)
Some details on the post-match brawl that broke out between the Uruguayan team and Colombian fans on Wednesday. It sounds like the players’ families were seated near Colombian fans, and some of the players became concerned about their safety as things got rowdy.
MVP power rankings: Will FC Cincinnati star Luciano Acosta repeat? (MLS)
With 10 goals and 15 assists, Acosta tops this month’s MVP power ranking.
Euro 2024, Copa América Stock Watch: Which players starred? (ESPN)
As finals for both tournaments approach on Sunday, this article looks at which players impressed and which did not. I agree Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé had weak tournaments, but I think you could also argue that more Americans should have made the “Stock down” list.
The Killers pause London concert, watch England win, rip into ‘Mr. Brightside’ (Pro Soccer Wire)
This one’s for the Millennials.
With the NWSL on break and NPSL in playoffs, there aren’t a ton of local games this weekend. Considering there’s also a USWNT friendly on Saturday and Copa América and Euros finals on Sunday, I think this will be plenty. Here’s your schedule:
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United FC vs. Indy Eleven | Sat., July 13 at 7 p.m. ET | Indianapolis, IN | ESPN+ |
| Annapolis Blues vs. Virginia Dream | Sat., July 13 at 7 p.m. ET | Annapolis, MD | – |
| D.C. United vs. Nashville SC | Sat., July 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | Apple TV |
Have a good weekend!
USA vs Scotland tonight at 6:30 PM at Buzzard Point is missing from the list of games.
Also Scotland is favored by 30+ points, but who cares! Go Eagles!
See you there! Salt Line 3 pm warm up, then off to club section.
I saw someone in a rugby jersey on the Metro this morning (and what I believe was a cricket jersey yesterday).
Well, you have to go through the process of checking with Klopp but there was basically no-way he was going to say yes. I think back to the 1994 WC team. The USSF started out by contacting Beckenbauer about coaching the US. He diplomatically said “NFW” but suggested Bora Miluntonic–who ended up being a perfect fit at that time and situation for the US.
I’ve already shared my listed of favored candidates. Go for Ragnick, Frank, or Renard. I know Frank and Renard aren’t sexy choices. But any of those 3, I think, would be a great fit. I”m not sure about development of a larger program. But all 3 also have good reps are working with younger players in the short-term.
And for those who didn’t want to pay Apple, the DCU game vs Nashville is free this weekend. BJ Callaghan doesn’t officially take over until July 22nd.
Congrats to Bethune. As long as the US advances out of the group stage, I expect her to play in the Olympics. Lavelle has trouble staying healthy. There will be some games where Hayes will want to use Macario as a false 9. That leaves Bethune as the A-mid role (it’s not something Horan is good at).
I think many people would consider Renard to be a sexy choice…
This is a joke about Renard being handsome.
Rog of Men in Blazers made a joke about Renard figuring out which shirt button is appropriate to button, so that he can do three below that. Dude knows he’s a handsome bloke.
Hah! Yeah, I’ve seen a few comments about how it looks like he just stepped out of a fashion shoot for men’s clothing.
And speaking for French soccer coaches, I’ve got a younger brother who’s bald, in incredible shape (did track in college, triathlons afterwards, works out every day, Vegan diet). He lives on the West Coast, flew in to DC 2 years ago and a cab picked him up at Dulles and was driving him to his hotel in DC. The driver was from Ghana and was convinced he had Zizou in his cab. He finally worked up the courage to ask my brother if he was in town to interview for US National Team job. That’s when my brother found out he thought he was Zidane. In all fairness, there is a rough resemblance to the two of them physically. When he told me about this afterwards, I told him he should have adopted a french accent and said he was in town to interview for the DC United job.
Let the rumors spread! Lol
“Zidane just interested in opening a coffee shop at Audi Field.”
It’s a tricky thing, to replace the leader of a program who returned it to some measure of success in the last big competition after the previous leader had failed spectacularly. But many loud voices had demanded change, based in part on recent failures in important ancillary events.
Yes, this is about Berhalter. 😉
OK, so the Klopp pipe dream is over. I really hope USSF & Crocker pull this one off. I agree with others that at this point best to forego any developmental or program-wide requirements. Just need to choose the best available game tactician and man manager. I do wonder about Gallardo; could be brilliant, but if you were Crocker would you bet it all on him?
And the first alternate is called up. Macario is out of the Olympics. Irritation in her right knee (her left one had the ACL surgery). Lynn Williams is called up–absolutely the right call. Right now, I figure Sophia Smith is the “center forward” striker (with Swanson and Rodman on the wings–sort of). Williams is versatile–can play outside or inside.
What this also means is that if Lavalle gets a nick, then Bethune gets called in. Assuming the US plays more than 3 matches, I’m going to be very surprised if Bethune doesn’t get some playing time or even a start in the Olympics at some point. To me, Albert is a Horan replacement–a box to box mid, or a D-mid. Not someone you want pulling the strings on the attack.
For my money, Macario gives you flexibility and talent, to be sure- Williams gives you wins, full stop. Coming off the bench late, there’s basically no one barring Sophia Smith I want running at a tired defense.
Bethune is going into the squad if any offensive players have an issue. We should hope she isn’t needed, but what a backup at this point
I think Williams is the backup to Sophia Smith as the central striker in a 433. Dunn is the backup to Swanson and Rodman.
The “injury” rules at this Olympics allow for same days switches and back. I would bet that Bethune gets into one game, especially if they’ve got the group locked up before the Australia game.
20 minutes into the rugby game, and the field is looking really bad in places; tomorrow night could be rough!
There are a bunch of places along the west sideline that look like this
Shoutout to the grounds crew, though, who are out here frantically putting the field back together whenever play moves elsewhere.
The stadium wasn’t ready for such a large crowd. I got to the stadium around 6:30 didn’t get through security and ticket scan till like the 30’…
No, I walked up to gate A and couldn’t figure out why they only had three lines open. Then I stopped to get tacos behind the Chico stand, but they were a unique vendor (not someone I’ve ever seen at soccer games) and had kiosk roof water leaking into the food, so I ditched that plan. I noticed that the lines at A didn’t thin out til around the 30th or so.
TBH, it’s not the first time I’ve noticed that non-DCU games (because it happens at high-attendance Spirit games, too) are not ready for fan volume.
At least I had a nice chat about rugby and soccer with a Scotland fan who also supports Old Glory and DCU while I was waiting in line.
I entered through Gate C. Waited 16 minutes to get through — only two checkpoints. Walked up just as Scotland scored first try a four+ minute mark. Halftime 28-7 Scotland. Scottish scrum is too strong for USA. Scots have pushed over three tries from loose mauls.
I’ll be honest, a US try in the first half was more than I was expecting, so even at 28-7, I’m still ok with it.
Good game. Scotland wins 42-7.
I love Rugby fans. On the metro home i was talking about the game with a guy from Ireland and a guy from Kenya.
I’m a little surprised that Emily Sams got added as an alternate (when Macario was dropped and Lynn Williams elevated) instead of Sam Staab. I think that between Fox, Dunn, Krueger, Nighswonger, and even Sonnett, the US women have outside options. Heck, if they play with wingbacks, even Rodman has the work-rate and defensive chops to excel in that role. I would think that just having Staab’s throw-in in a critical situation (late-game, trailing) would be worth having her on the roster.
No game thread.
Starting XI: Bono, Herrera, McVey, Peltola, Dájome, Stroud, Klich, Rodríguez, Santos, KDP, Benteke
Bench: Miller, Murrell, Tubbs, Sargis, Garay, Zamudio, Pirani, Akinmboni
Huh…the commentator mentioned the US Scotland game from last night as well as the midweek Women’s game.
Some additional news that isn’t DCU or LU-related (so I’m posting it in this thread).
First, Luis de la Fuente (Spanish National Team Coach, you know, the guy that just won the European Championship) had his reps contact the USSF to say “I’m interested in the USMNT job.” I’ve heard only good things about this guy. AND….he’s got extensive experience coaching youth sides (academy, reserves, Spanish Olympic side) which should fulfill Crocker’s criteria about “development” expertise.
Second, you’ve probably heard that the Copa final was delayed 30 minutes because fans rushed the gates. I think the Copa was a superb practice run for the US stadiums prior to 2026. You’ve got Atlanta being bashed for a crappy field, now this with the turf. US stadium sites for the cup need to “up their game” because they haven’t hosted anything like a WC with a group of rabid international fans before. This ain’t no friendly were coaches will overlook last minute turf or NFL lines or a thrown-together locker facility. Lots of “lessons learned” here for the game sites of 2026–if they want to learn from this Copa.