USWNT win in Olympics, USMNT U-23s lose, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. The Olympics have been awesome thus far and we got one week to go! We start under the Olympic rings with the two American teams playing soccer:
Trinity Rodman extra time goal leads USWNT to tough Olympic quarterfinal win over Japan (SSFC)
Trinity!! Her 105th minute goal was the difference as the USWNT beat Japan 1-0 to advance to the medal rounds. They will take on Germany, who sent Canada home in their quarterfinal match, tomorrow for the second time in this tournament.
Medal dreams die as U.S. Men’s Olympic Team falls to Morocco in quarterfinals (SSFC)
Paris was not as kind to the USMNT U-23s. Their run in the Olympics came to an end against Morocco, losing 4-0. However, it was a nice run for the team in their first Olympics since 2008. After the match, Walker Zimmerman had some strong words of advice for anyone who wants to represent on the national team.
Hoffenheim boss Matarazzo reportedly offered USMNT job (Pro Soccer Wire)
Pelligrino Matarazzo could be a candidate for the USMNT head coaching job. He’s always been someone I have said should get a serious look, and perhaps he could be the guy. But, looks like it could be all for naught as it sounds like he has disputed the reports.
Where would a 100,000-capacity home for Manchester United rank in global terms? (The Athletic)
Could Manchester United be replacing Old Trafford with a 100K seat palace? This article takes a look at some of the biggest stadiums on the planet, including my home, The Big House.
Juventus boss Motta tells USMNT star McKennie to find new club (Pro Soccer Wire)
Looks like Wes McKennie will be finding himself a new home after Juventus once again tells him he is unwanted. Where should he end up?
Ex-Barcelona Player Wants To Buy La Liga Club Weeks After Leaving Them (Forbes)
Martin Braithwaite felt he was wronged by Espanyol when he tried to leave them for a new club in a top flight league. So, he paid out his own release clause and now the former Barca player, who has made a lot of money in his career, is now thinking of doing the pettiest thing possible: buying the club that wronged him. If you’re rich enough to have this kind of petty, I can’t be mad at it.
Stay cool out there!
When do we find out DC United’s Friday opponent in the Leagues Cup? And do we have an idea of who the likely candidate(s) is or will be?
Vamos Noah Lyles! (I thought you were 2nd place there for a while)
Vamos Tori Huske! (never had a doubt)
Four Courts was packed with screamers for Yorktown High’s Huske. Yes, even this bitter W-L HS grad was lustily pulling for her. Job well done!
DC find’s out it opponent tonight. They will play the second place finisher from the group of New England, Nashville, and Mazatlan. I believe at this point, any of the teams could still finish second, so we have no idea at all who they’ll end up getting. This does pose an interesting question if Mazatlan is second though, as I guess there would be another venue hosting issue to sort out. I assume DC would just play at NE or Nashville if either of them are second
The U-20 Men lost last night to Mexico in the U-20 Men’s CONCACAF Championship. Mexico outplayed the US for most of the match. Mexico had their initial equalizer called back by VAR for offside. Then they tied it in the 90+7′ to send it to extra time then they won it with a goal in the 120+2′.
The US did take the Golden Boot in David Vazquez (3 goals), the Best Player in Nikolas Tsakiris (2 goals and 2 assists), and The Fair Play award.
fascinating that there was 90 +6 announced, and they scored at +7; fascinating that 120+1 was announced and they scored at +2.
concacaf…..
(to be fair, I do think this was random coincidence….but it’s still concacaf….)
The ref was also very CONCACAF…he was giving cards like candy in the 2nd half…then the same kind of fouls got no yellow cards in extra time…
Those were free passes to AMC movie theaters. Don’t be so jaded.
Good on Zimmerman. He’s right and it shows. Gone are the days when Deuce would have just assumed blow up a opponent’s statehouse to win a game.
In the Major League Rugby Championship Match in San Diego yesterday, the defending champion New England Free Jacks beat the Seattle Seawolves 20-11 with great defense especially late in the 2nd half to repeat. 2 years in a row now Old Glory has been knocked out of the playoffs by the eventual champion. Last year in the Eastern Conference Final and this year in Eastern Conference Semifinal. It was a great match to watch.
The Major League Rugby Draft is later this month with the exact date and time to be determined.
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/usl-is-having-a-moment-new-stadiums-record-player-sales-and-promotion-and-relegation-maybe-on-the-horizon/
One post-quarterfinal analyst (Matt Doyle, I think) gave Crystal Dunn a perfect 10 (first I’ve ever seen) for her flawless defending and crucial cross-field pass to Trinity Rodman setting up the game winner. Rodman got a 9 noting not only her game-winner but her constant and crucial defensive work. And the peerless Naomi Girma also reaped a 9.
Matarazzo’s denial is a non-denial denial. It’s correct, he’s probably never said he wanted to leave Hoffenheim. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to coach the USMNT and it doesn’t mean he’s been approached about a deal or even that he’s agreed to one. If negotiations are still taking place, of course he’s not going to say “well, I’ve been offered the job, we’re negotiating so maybe I’ll be leaving Hoffenheim or maybe I’ll be staying.” That would be idiotic.
Right on. Things can fall apart and/or fail to progress.
Unpopular opinion, and I get I’m making it late: I feel uncomfortable when the white veteran makes the Zimmerman comment. This has happened before, most notably Donovan, and there’s a weird dynamic to it. I don’t know what Zimmerman saw in training, I didn’t see any complacency or lack of effort on the field, that’s not why they lost any of their games on the pitch. I don’t remember a player who wasn’t white making this comment, and it smacks of its own entitlement to me.
If you want motivate your teammates, find another way. This is, and always has been, bullshit.