Mauricio Pochettino finally hired by USMNT, NYCFC update crest, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. There’s lots of soccer at Audi Field this weekend. A few of us will be at the DC Power home opener tomorrow evening, so hope to see some of you there.
Mauricio Pochettino officially announced as USMNT head coach (SSFC)
Finally, Mauricio Pochettino is the USMNT head coach. He was announced on Tuesday night just before the USMNT’s 1-1 draw against New Zealand.
There’s some inside info in this article about how the deal got done to bring Poch to the USMNT. He will be making $6 million per year through the 2026 World Cup, thanks to some hefty contributions from people like billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin.
New York City FC Update Badge Ahead of 2025 MLS Season (Sportslogos)
NYCFC has updated their crest for next season. It’s not much of a change, but when you compare the old to the new, you can see some differences.
USMNT fan broke arm blocking Haji Wright shot (Pro Soccer Wire)
Ouch. A USMNT fan at the match broke her arm trying to block a Haji Wright shot. That’s gonna be a nice reminder of how hard these guys can kick. Take it from me…I know from personal experience.
5(ish) GIFs from the Spirit’s 2-1 win over Portland Thorns (DP)
André compiles some of the best GIFs from last weekend’s Spirit win. Winning GIFs are the best kind!
A local team is going to participate in the U.S. Open Cup. Shoutout to the Alexandria Reds.
USMNT’s Gio Reyna out for weeks with injury (ESPN)
Gio Reyna’s groin strain that was discovered when he came to USMNT camp is enough to keep him out for a few weeks.
Colorado Rapids sign USMNT defender Reggie Cannon (MLS)
Reggie Cannon has found a new home back in MLS with the Colorado Rapids. He was recently with Queens Park Rangers, but a row with Boavista over unpaid wages (and transfer money) led to his contract being nullified.
I know the NZ game was meaningless, but in the two games post Berhalter, they showed ingrained habits that Pochettino will be mortified to see. They simply don’t make movements off the ball or run for each other, except to run backward cuz the line is high and there’s space behind. This was made all the more glaring because the newcomer, Marlon Fossey, actually was doing professional work in that regard, and one of his plays led to the disallowed goal (which seemed like a very bad call). It’s really odd to see a single right back doing a good job with zagging in possession, only to watch the rest of the team effectively stand where they were told.
We’ve been doing this for years, Poch has his work cut out. I don’t think he’s a bad coach, obviously, but this effective this quick? It’s not a fair challenge two years before a home WC
He should make them watch Evita a dozen times, feed them Patagonian beef, and supply Malbec for hydration.
Then, they will beg to realize the majesty that is Taco Bell.
This will render a new sense of patriotism, and they will start to give a ****
Emma Hayes didn’t need that long to make the women look completely different than how they did during the friendlies before her hiring. Yes, they are more talented in relation to the rest of the world compared to the men, but they certainly didn’t look like the frustrated disaster from their WC campaign. I don’t think Pochettino will need more than 2 training sessions to shake their default game patterns. Look how different they played under Callaghan in just a few months.
I’m expressing concern for the WC. But I hope you’re right
https://www.sportingkc.com/news/mls-terminates-felipe-hernandez-contract
He wears the crown….
First, I’m happy for Benny that he has gotten such a great performance out of Houston and HH.
Second, the USSF story is that Gio arrived and had a groin strain. The Dortmund version is that they sent him off healthy and returned severely hurt and so will miss a bunch of games.
Apparently there is a large movement to do away with VAR in Norway: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41193617/norway-var-fan-protest-fishcakes-croissants-tennis-balls
Teddy KDP is signed to a U22 contract that runs through 2027 with an option for 2028.
He and Pirani have both started getting on the scoresheet a little more often recently. If they can both continue doing that in 2025, we’re going to look a whole lot better.
I want to believe in Ted. I really do. I don’t know if I’d bet anything but good wishes on it.