MLS updates roster rules, Spirit NT replacement signings, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! The weather is in the high 80s instead of the low 100s this weekend, and I am jumping for joy.
MLS announces significant roster rule changes (MLS)
The new rules, which take effect with this year’s secondary transfer window, will allow teams up to six “prime” roster slots and gives some flexibility about how to distribute them among DPs and U22s. They’ll also allow teams to convert up to $3 million on transfer revenue into General Allocation Money without restrictions on the amount per-player.
D.C. United Acquire $75,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money from Toronto FC (D.C. United)
Related? D.C. United traded the discovery rights to Henry Wingo for this. Hopefully they’re gearing up for some more moves to take advantage of the new rules.
Washington Spirit signs three to national team replacement contracts (Washington Spirit)
With six players headed to the Olympics, the Spirit were under the roster minimum for the upcoming NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. To help flesh out their gameday roster, they’ve signed Defender Jenna Butler, goalkeeper Kaylie Collins and forward Olivia Stone to short-term contracts
Vieira for USMNT? Reported talks with U.S. Soccer draw mixed reactions (Pro Soccer Wire)
Patrick Vieira emerged as a possible USMNT coach yesterday, and Jason Anderson took a look at what that could mean.
Fans file lawsuits over Copa América final chaos, seek over $100K (ESPN)
$100K is on the low end of what I would expect them to pay out for that debacle.
Bruce Mwape banned from private contact with Zambia players at Olympics (The Guardian)
It’s really disgraceful that Zambia is continuing to allow this man to coach their Olympic team after the many allegations of sexual misconduct by some of his players and other women around the team.
CBS Sports announces multi-year, multi-platform rights agreement with English Football League (EFL)
Paramount+ will now be your home for Championship, League One, League Two, Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy matches.
Trinity Rodman and Her Gel-X Manicure Are Going to the Olympics (Harper’s Bazaar)
Rodman spoke to Harper’s Bazaar about both soccer and fashion. I had to laugh at the description of Trin’s red-white-and-blue nails as “the original colors of her pro soccer team, the Washington Spirit.” Thanks for the Spirit shout-out, Harper’s, but surely there’s some more relevant reason she might have picked those colors?
For a bit of pre-weekend cuteness, some cross-team support: Spirit’s Ouleye Sarr rooting for fellow francophone Christian Benteke on Wednesday night. He responded, “T’avais déjà capté lol” and maybe someone who speaks French can tell me what’s going on here.
Finally, we’re back down to a shorter schedule of events, but there’re still some fun games. Old Glory DC is in the Major League Rugby semifinals, and both D.C. United and Washington Spirit have friendlies this weekend.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Glory DC vs. NE Free Jacks | Sat., July 20 at 5 p.m. ET | Quincy, MA | FS2, The Rugby Network |
| D.C. United vs. Celtic FC | Sat., July 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Washington, DC | – |
| Washington Spirit vs. Chivas de Guadalajara | Sun., July 21 at 4:30 p.m. ET | Chester, PA | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo |
Have a good weekend!
I just want to give a little dap to Christian Benteke’s footwork. It’s not something he’s known for, but on his first goal, he totally takes advantage of a strong touch by then megging the defender (I’m not quite ready to say he took that strong first touch on purpose to set up the defender, but am comfortable with his quick thinking to meg the guy). He then also did a great job of holding off Hasani Dotson and working an angle on Dayne St. Clair. There were three or four different moments where I thought that golden chance would fall apart, but Benteke played it perfectly. And yes, Minnesota made kind of a hash of things defensively, but a lot of that was because Benteke was outplaying them.
He also floated around basically unnoticed on his second goal. Not an easy thing for him to do when everyone’s game plan has been to shut him down recently
Yeah, he started at the penalty spot and made a nice curling run to the back post (getting some shielding from the mass of players behind him), then got up before everyone else for a great header. Kind of a nice tribute to Steve Birnbaum with the ol’ “kick it to your best header at the back post who sends it back across goal for someone else,” only this time it actually worked.
Said this late on the other thread, but MLS acting like Miami is fully compliant with the new rules and in fact has a free DP slot is both bogus on its face and gaslighting to critics. It’s counter factual, as far as I can see. MLS is supposed to be everyone exploiting the same rules, even if they’re designed to help the few. Now it’s not even that anymore.
I also can’t help but see Viera as another MLS coach, perhaps more seasoned than a few options by experience in Europe, but MLS was arguably where he had his best record. He never particularly came close to winning MLS Cup. The World Cup is a tournament. If we’re looking specifically at his European experience, it’s not a great record, and pretty quickly let go from all of them.
In short, it seems unlikely his direction would be sufficient to boost us in two years
Agreed. Look, Berhalter is a good coach. But he took this group as far as it could go. His approach/tactical mindset just wasn’t going to help them reach the next level or two offensively (let alone other issues). To bring in Viera is to effectively say “let’s hope he’ll be better.” No, you need to find someone who you think can use high pressure more effectively to generate chances. Or is tactically more astute offensively. Or can help this team maintain their ball possession but be quicker, more one-touch in the final third so they’re less ponderous there. Or is more effective on counters. There are a number of things I would praise Viera on. But none of them are the issues/criteria I just mentioned.
Completely agree. We kind of need whoever it is that comes in to flip the paradigm – more defensive/out-of-possession structure, more freedom with the ball.
https://www.intermiami.news/transfers/inter-miami-most-likely-team-to-sign-20m-rated-usa-international-this-summer
Apparently, Miami might be making a play for McKennie.
It’s not even funny anymore
Does this mean they are at least following the international slot limit?
Personally I find it hilarious.
Old Glory loses 33-29 in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. The difference was penalty kick goals by New England courtesy of penalties by Old Glory in the first half. We’re fortunate that the Free Jacks missed 2 in the 2nd half.
So, at the Celtic friendly, they did a nice tribute to Birnbaum, starting him and then subbing him out immediately. Got to give him an ovation and such. All the players had #15 warmup shirts on. Decent show really.
Also, we have a non rostered player starting. No idea who it is – doesn’t look like anyone from Loudoun but hard to tell from where I’m sitting. Anyone know?
They did a nice halftime presentation for Birnbaum too. Worth watching us get beat up just for that really. Down 2-0 at the half.
Also, trialist one appears to be DC Academy kid Graham Jones. My son’s google-fu is quicker than mine.
Well, the game was bad, the academy kid appeared to pull his hamstring, Fletcher reinjured his ankle and the only highlight, Zamudio, came off maybe injured, maybe just cramping. But at least they did right by Birnbaum.
Thanks for the reports although they are not all good news. I remember DC dominating Celtic – back in the Mighty Era of David Stokes and Freddy Adu!
4-0 back then 0-4 this time. Payback….
I am glad they gave Steve the nod on the pitch rather than halftime. He deserved it.
I am not sure why they schedule these games if they are not going to take them seriously. It doesn’t even give the younger players a good experience being outclassed all over the field.
Even Lesesne rightfully punted on this one. He probably did not want to get players injured after a congested schedule.
Money. From fans that don’t know better.
I enjoyed spending my money on this, and I do know better. They had a nice scotch tasting in the club section, and Celtic management was very present and delightful to talk with (maybe our management might take notice of this charm offensive). Celtic came to play this time compared to their (hungover?) stinker at RFK.
It was a friendly. As a friendly, it was decently executed. We honored our retiring captain and the crowd was a happy lot, regardless of which team was supported.