Kang donates $4m to U.S. rugby, Akinmboni getting looks, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday, everyone! I have so much work to catch up on, but I expect I will be joining some of you in this morning’s U.S. Soccer chat instead. There’s also plenty of news from this week to distract, and here is just some of it.
USA Rugby announces transformative gift from Kynisca’s Michele Kang (USA Rugby)
Fresh off the announcement of her new women’s soccer company and clearly feeling the Olympic spirit, Michele Kang announced a $4 million donation to the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team.
MLS Transfer Notebook: LA Galaxy clear space for Marco Reus and Charlotte line up forward (Give Me Sport)
Among the rumors in this article is one that several clubs both in the U.S. and abroad are interested in D.C.’s Matai Akinmboni.
USA vs. Morocco, 2024 Olympic Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Scouting Morocco (SSFC)
On the off-chance you see this before today’s early USMNT game, here’s what you can expect from their opponents.
Marta’s legacy is defiance, hunger and joy. But will it end with Olympic heartbreak? (The Athletic $)
Marta is an absolute legend in the women’s game, and I’m glad Brazil made it through to the knock-out round despite her red card.
This reddit user did a lot of analysis of shot-stopping in MLS. Click through if you like goalkeeper and/or graphs.
World Cup 2034: Saudis plan stadium 350 metres above ground (ESPN)
The Saudis have exposed building a stadium into the side of a cliff where it would “only be accessible to driverless vehicles and high-speed lifts.” Why, though?
USMNT Tanner Tessmann is Dabo Swinney’s godson and a pretty good kicker (Washington Post $)
Before opting to go pro, Tanner Tessman apparently considered going to Clemson to both play soccer and kick field goals.
Sanchez brazenly attacked by sprinklers during halftime interview (Pro Soccer Wire)
A bit of fun for your Friday. Former Spirit Ashley Sanchez was put directly in the path of a sprinkler during a halftime interview in NC Courage’s Summer Cup match this week.
Finally, the schedule. There’s just one local team playing this weekend, which is just fine considering there are also U.S. men’s and women’s Olympic games to stress out about watch. Have a good weekend!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United FC vs. Miami FC | Sat., Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Leesburg, VA | ESPN+ |
Troy Lesesne made sure to shout out Matai Akinmboni in his post-match comments after the Santos Laguna game. He’s someone they want to keep around, and it would be great to have him. I just worry a little bit because United’s record at developing their youth is kind of spotty (oh hi, Griffin Yow in the Olympics!). But the center backs this season have been pretty solid. Lucas Bartlett had basically been a squad player in his career, but has been the rock of the line. Conner Antley came up from USL and didn’t look out of place. Garrison Tubbs has been progressing.
So, Matai is a talent, and I hope he continues to get game time. If he does move, I hope it’s to a good situation for him, and he sells for a lot of money.
Oh, and I think Cavan Sullivan’s debut, in addition to knocking Freddy Adu out of the top perch of youngest player to play in MLS also kicked Akinmboni out of the top 5. I guess good eye to Wayne Rooney for signing him.
I had a couple of questions after the Santos Laguna game.
1) That wasn’t the first time we’ve beaten a Liga MX team in meaningful competition, was it?
2) Was it the first time we’ve scored three goals in Chester?
3) For another match, both Luis Zamudio AND Nathan Crockford made the bench, but Tyler Miller didn’t. That also follows Zamudio’s recall, where the excuse that he wasn’t getting minutes doesn’t really pass the smell test (where is he getting minutes here?). It’s possible Miller was hurt before the Santos Laguna game, but he’s definitely been a coach’s decision scratch in other recent games. Is this him being lined up for a move? Or is this another example of a player just getting deep in Troy Lesesne’s doghouse?
I’ve noticed the same thing with Miller. Either has to be a secret injury or theyre trying to move him. As far as having BOTH Crockford and Zamudio on the bench, I believe I heard that Leagues Cup requires there to be 2 goalies as available substitutes for some reason, so that would explain why there’s two goalie subs at a time when there are actually other field players available (as opposed to the usual reason of they are the only healthy people on the team)
Sucks that he got starts during the team’s absolute worst stretch of games in every metric. He’s much better than his play and our results would indicate during that period. Hopefully gets a chance to play somewhere – I do enjoy his long goal kicks (and I’m sure he still has it in him).
I sorta have a different take on the same theme- I think he proved that he’s not the leader for this squad that Bono is. He should find a squad that he can start over with.
In the U20 CONCACAF championship, currently in 2nd half of extra time as Mexico tied it with literally last play of the game. Ref was giving crud ton of yellows late in the 2nd half of regulation, but now it’s like he’s swallowed his cards….definitely seen fouls that got yellows in regulation and deserve yellows still but just get called a foul now…this is going to pks.
Nvm Mexico wins it at the death….definitely outplayed the US the whole game.
Santos Laguna and ATL were 0-0 after regulation then Santos downed ATL in penalties 5-3.