Spain win Euros, Argentina win Copa América, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Sorry y’all! It has been a helluva busy weekend for me as well as a loaded Monday with the USWNT in town. Here’s a very late, condensed version of the Freedom Kicks:
Spain strike late to beat England and claim record 4th Euro title (ESPN)
A late Mikel Oyarzabal goal was the difference as Spain wins its 4th European Championship over England, 2-1. As I’ve always said, they keep asking if it’s coming home. I argue it’s always been home…that home is now Madrid.
Argentina win 16th Copa America after crowd trouble delays final (BBC)
It took extra time, but Lautaro Martinez was the decider for Argentina as they win their 16th Copa América. The game was overshadowed by the massive crowd breach that delayed the match for 80 minutes in a security debacle for which Conmebol must accept responsibility.
Cristian Dájome’s brace was the difference as DC United gets its first win in over 2 months!
According to Steve Goff, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente has some interest in the USMNT job. However, he just won the Euros and Spain want to keep him, so maybe the “interest” is leverage to get a bigger salary from the Spanish federation? Either way, don’t get too excited either way about the prospects of de la Fuente coming to take over for Gregg Berhalter.
USA vs. Mexico, 2024 Friendly: USWNT takes down rivals in 1-0 battle (SSFC)
Sophia Smith’s goal was the difference as the USWNT win their first Olympic sendoff match. They’re here tomorrow night at a sold out Audi Field, so hope to see you all there!
Again, sorry this is late, but continue the discussion! Stay cool!
Maybe the de la Fuente interest is just for show–to improve his bargaining position. Spain has offered a salary of $1.96 million. Berhalter was making more than that.
I know Conmebol took the brunt of the blame for last night’s fiasco. But the stadiums hosting the WC in 2026 need to view this tournament as a wakeup call.
And it was great to see Bethune get on the field in the first “send-off” match. I wonder if we’ll see Hal Hershfelt see time? I tend to think not–Coffey is an iron-woman and then a bunch of other active roster players (Albert, Horan, Sonnett) can all play a D-mid, holding mid spot. I think Hershfelt is on the roster to provide practice depth and prepare her for down the road. Bethune, OTOH, is likely to get minutes at the Olympics because I don’t think Lavalle can stay health and in-form for every match–that’s her MO.
Hershfelt is probably the last of the alternates to get called, it seems
I think it was Taylor Twellman who pointed out that Wembley had seen a similar stadium invasion by fans. CONMEBOL is at fault here, but it’s not strictly a CONMEBOL problem. Large soccer event organizers around the world need to start getting a lot more prepared, because fans seem a lot more inclined to do some really dangerous things.
Not just dangerous, but unlawful.
A bad weekend for the country, but a great weekend for my major soccer rooting interests. USWNT, Argentina, and DC United (!!!) all won — as did Spain (a minor rooting interest.
Dajome’s Buzzard Point brace lifts DCU over Nashville 2-1. The tally to date:
Buzzard Points (home goals): Benteke (7, incl. 2 pks); Dajome (3 — he makes MLS TOTW); Pirani (2); Bartlett, Klich (pk), Ku-DiPietro, McVey, Murrell, Rodriguez, Santos, Stroud
Talones (home assists): Santos (3); Benteke, Herrera, Klich, Stroud (2); Antley, Birnbaum, Ku-DiPietro, Rodríguez
Taloncitos (drew home pk): Benteke, Stroud, Tubbs
Dájome made team of the match day and his second goal is up for goal of the week.