Angel City disciplined, potential conflict betwen Club Cup and Gold Cup, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday, everyone! I have had a cold most of the week and am looking forward to being able to socialize and see the sun this weekend. So let’s just get to the Kicks!
NWSL Announces Disciplinary Action Against Angel City FC for Salary Cap Violation (NWSL)
Angel City entered into secret deals with players that resulted in them exceeding the salary cap by $50,000 for four weeks this year. The discipline: $200,000 fine, a 3-point deduction in the standings, and both the team President and GM are suspended from player transactions.
FIFA exemption sets up potential clash between USMNT and clubs next summer (Pro Soccer Wire)
According to reports of the new rules, clubs participating in the Club World Cup will not be required to release players for international duty, which could leave the U.S. men (and other CONCACAF teams) without some players during the Gold Cup.
LAFC’s Denis Bouanga eyes another Golden Boot: “It’s not over” (MLS)
I love to have someone to root against.
SafeSport shelves probe of former NWSL coach, sparking outcry (Washington Post $)
More evidence that SafeSport is wholly inadequate at their task of getting abusers of out sports. Rory Dames was the subject of multiple complaints and featured prominently in the investigation into abuse commissioned by the NWSL, and now he’s been removed from SafeSport’s list of restricted coaches.
USWNT to close out 2024 with road friendly against the Netherlands (Stars and Stripes FC)
The Dec. 3 match will be the second leg of an away tour for the U.S., following shortly after their match at Wembley.
Madison Wolfbauer selected for USL Super League Team of the Month for September (DC Power FC)
Defender Wolfbauer was named to the league’s first ever Team of the Month after starting five matches for DC Power and scoring a brace of penalty kicks against Spokane Zephyr FC.
USMNT’s Mauricio Pochettino has fans thrilled about the long term, but here’s why the short term should excite (CBS Sports)
Some reasons to look forward to the USMNT games in October?
Finally, here’s the schedule of events for the weekend. D.C United play again on a short turnaround this week, while both Loudoun United and Washington Spirit are trying to shore up their playoff positions.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford Athletic vs. Loudoun United FC | Sat., Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. ET | Hartford, CT | ESPN+ |
| D.C. United vs. NE Revolution | Sat., Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Foxborough, MA | Apple TV |
| Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride | Sun., Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. ET | Orlando, FL | ESPN2, ESPN+ |
Have a good weekend!
Wow, some really interesting stories. I’d just like to make the slightest correction, looks like the Spirit game is on ESPN2, not ESPN proper, which, I don’t know, some people might be looking to record (like me) for conflicts, or asking a bar to turn to that channel
Google shows ESPN as an option too, but Spirit website just says ESPN2. I will update!
For recording purposes, I think people will want to keep an eye out for where it ends up – ESPN proper looks to be showing WNBA in that slot, but there’s at least one “If Necessary” game that day that might now happen. With playoffs, they move things around all the time, including start times. Probably will finalize tomorrow, after tonight’s games, depending on results.
On Bouanga’s goals/production:
He leads MLS in both shots (144) and shots-on-target (58), yet still trails Benteke in goals scored. Benteke is quite a ways down on those lists (93 and 43 respectively). Doing the math…
Bouanga scores on 13% of his shots and 33% of his shots on target.
Benteke scores on 24% of his shots and 51% of his shots on target.
Naturally, these percentages are unchangeable numbers and irrefutable evidence that Benteke should just shoot the ball 12 times a match for a guaranteed 3 goals.
Glad you’re healthy. And this is a lovely time to be outside right now.
The cap violations against Angel City have me going “huh”? They’re not a very impressive roster, it’s not like I look at their team and go “oh, they spent big bucks on that Spanish international who then tore her ACL” or “they signed a bunch of USWNT players who used to be good but are now past their prime.”
And Matt Doyle has a nice article about how DCU has evolved offensively to be more than just Christian Benteke offensively: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/dc-united-are-they-finally-more-than-christian-benteke Now what I’d like to see is much more analysis about why DCU has been bleeding goals so much. It’s just too superficial to say “we need better talent at CBs” (which is true but I think we’d all praise the work of McVey and Bartlett as at least every capable players though not star players). Or to say “we had injuries and suspensions” (which we did, but not all season long). I think there is a combination of scheme, coaching, player skills (for instance, left back until we “temporarily” got Snegg, has been an issue if teams sent after us at that position).
Yeah, fixing the defense is a big issue. Left back is the easiest culprit to point to, and center back is next, although I certainly agree with you that I’ve largely been pleased with Bartlett and McVey. I think that beefing up the midfield is probably what mostly needs to happen. Getting a dedicated CDM in there, like a healthy Canouse, or an effective Enow, would probably help. But yeah, this is the big problem to solve over the offseason. (Second problem is avoiding yellow cards, but that may just be a side effect of the way Lesesne is instructing everyone to play. For instance, Miami has nearly as many yellows as we do, and it’s worked out okay for them.)
They also seem to give up an inordinate number of low-percentage goals. In that Doyle article, he mentions that the xGA is 48.1 versus 66 actual goals allowed. That’s nearly 20 extra goals shipped! I would also say that Bono has been pretty fine in goal, but he’s not really a match-winner like a prime Bill Hamid or someone like Andre Blake or Roman Burki.
Bartlett, McVey, and Bono are all fine, but could all be improved upon. They’re not the top of the action item list, but we’ll see what Ally Mackay does.
Thinking a bit more on it, and I think there’s some blame to be laid at the feet of tactics. How many times has United scored and then coughed up a lead? Lesesne seems to prefer more of a Losada “always be attacking” style versus a classic Benny Bunkerball. That style leaks goals, but it also gives the players confidence and belief to come back against Columbus and Nashville. Can they tweak that style to be a little more pragmatic when they’ve got a lead without sacrificing the belief and hunger to get more goals? We’ll see.
This is probably too simple, but has a life long defender, a lot of goals are a lack of communication and awareness. Not tracking runners or being pulled out of position. It’s largely technique that SHOULD be focused on and drilled, but Lesesne may simply not prioritize it. I don’t have much to point to. As you said, better defenders doesn’t necessarily fix this.
I will say that the lack of consistency in formation/lineup is also a large contributor. Having to switch from a 3 to 4 back formation regularly makes players have to think more about where they need to be rather than it being instinct. Same goes for the rest of the team. Hard to build trust and cohesion if you have a different guy next to you every game or you’re in a different spot.
Lesesne brought all of his staff up from USL roles. I don’t know if more MLS veteran coaching would help alleviate that or not, but communication and awareness seem like things that can be fixed with coaching to some degree.
Good point, but what has me worried is that there are 2 games left and arguably the defense has gotten worse as the season progressed. Either Lesesne and co aren’t focusing on it or whatever they are doing clearly isn’t working.
I think Barlett, McVey and Bono are great supplemental players. But we need someone at the top end to really keep things organized, leads the team back there, etc. Someone needs to be able to get everyone pointed in the right direction out there. As much fun as the comeback was on Wednesday, we still let a really, really poor Nashville team score three goals. I feel like a real vocal leader back there might have helped make the game a little less exciting but more straightforward for us.
Yeah, I agree with this. I would be mortified if it was a DP slot, but we need a new Hamid or Birnbaum to rally and dictate the tone and resolve
Oh, for sure, I don’t want a DP level either. Nashville has Zimmerman, after all…
But that voice that both Hamid and Birnbaum had, to keep the structure, if MacKay finds that person, we’ll be dramatically better next year.
Admittedly 2 of those goals came from Alex Muyl…who seems to like scoring on DCU…but your point still stands….that Mukhtar free kick was a beauty, but should never have been given.
In relation to this, I think some of the goals come out of how they attack. The amount of times DC will be on a regular attack (i.e. not following a corner or freekick) and one of (or both) of McVey and Bartlett find themselves like actively being a part of the attack in or near the opponents box is…a lot. And that obviously leaves things VERY thin towards the DC goal. Luckily Herrera is pretty fast and can often recover in time, but that doesn’t always work.
I mentioned this on the Columbus game thread, but I do think Peltola has been doing a phenomenal job defensively over the last couple of games. Not perfect by any means, but I feel like if he didn’t do well over the last couple of games, it would have been 2 losses instead of a draw and win. He’s seemingly found something in whatever his role is now, which has been good to see. I think we saw some flashes of his potential early on in the season, but then he plateaued a bit (as most of the team did). But if he (and Pirani for that matter) can stay hot, that really helps things
I still maintain a true offensive threat on the wing who can dribble AND cross into Benteke while also being a decent goal threat themselves will solve issues all over the field. Opponents this year can get forward with a little too much boldness because we’re not devastating consistently in possession- you want the opposing team to be worried about that most moments of the game.
The reason I keep harping back on a right winger with a dominant right foot is, that’s typically a structural weakness for defenses to deal with, especially in MLS. Left backs often are deficient one vs one, or get out of position, or both. When you have someone who doesn’t have to cut inside and can just run the width and the end line and contribute assist after assist in transition, it’s a great advantage. It also allows the left side to operate with more of a right footed dribbler cutting inside, and I’d argue those forwards are easier to nab.
Funny, I want a left winger….I think our right sided attack is pretty good, and if/when Schnegg gets back, his brief performances were promising on the attack, and having a killer left wing would open up many possibilities.
To each his own! :^)
Adding a potent CB to bolster that part of our line up is a really good idea. Keeping our existing guys (who are doing a decent job) gives us more rotational options (injuries happen, call-ups, etc)
There are some good thoughts here in reaction to my initial post about a detailed analysis of our defense. Here is my take (for what it’s worth).
Tactically, I’m not sure how much that plays a factor here. For instance, if we played a low press or bunkered more, I think we’d have given up even more goals. We swapped around schemes but I’m not sure how that changed how we defend (though I get the point about “thinking” vs. “instinct”).
I’m kind of thinking that we need to only keep one of Chris McVey and Matai Akinmboni next year. Either we sell Akinmboni to Bournemouth, or some other suitor, and offer McVey an extension (or pick up his option, I’m not sure what the case is). Or, if we don’t sell Akinmboni, then keep him and give him the minutes McVey would have had to help further his development. This would be in conjunction with us signing a badass CB, whether at a DP level or not. I’m also assuming that Hayden Sargis is gone, regardless (good night, sweet prince!).
Thus our depth would be:
Badass CB
Bartlett
Peltola (Enow, Canouse, and Hopkins would handle CDM)
McVey/Akinmboni
Tubbs
Possibly a drafted CB
What do you think? Does that leave us too stretched at the back in case of injuries or int’l callups (Peltola, possibly Badass CB)? I just worry that having McVey in addition to the others would get in the way too much of Akinmboni’s development, and the best possible outcome is probably to sell him this winter for a decent price. I would be pretty happy with a fee of $5 million, for instance. I’m not sure how realistic that number is.
Pirani makes Team of the Matchday for Wednesday night: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/team-of-the-matchday-cf-montreal-seattle-sounders-keep-momentum
I a impressed with the improvements in his form. Kind of surprised, but pleasantly so.
Obrigado, Gabe!
So, thought I’d relay this story from a soccer podcast I just heard- Christine Sinclair, who you probably have seen play for the Canadian women over an eon, and who has the record number of caps of any player ever for the national team, was interviewed, and this is the story she told about exchanging jerseys with Becky Sauerbrunn of the USWNT.
Christine very much admired Becky, and when they became teammates years ago in Portland, Sinclair shyly asked to exchange national team jerseys with Becky, who immediately agreed. They went home, got the jerseys, and made the exchange in the stadium.
After the exchange was made, Sinclair was walking out with some of her teammates, and saw something on the ground. It was her jersey.
She sent a picture of the jersey to Becky, who was mortified. Turns out, it was not malice- it had fallen out of her bag.
Anyway, thought it was worth sharing, as I can just imagine the reactions of both these women, who have battled hard and got to play with each other over time.
Per Goff, McVery has been suspended for the match against New England. The suspension is for violent conduct that occurred in the 37th minute of the Nashville game
Oh, hey, Don
I’m not sure if the incident theyre referring to is the one where he accidentally stepped on a Nashville player’s leg, or the one with Surridge. The leg issue I could see being warranted, the Surridge one…not at all
I’m just gonna hold to my theory that Don Garber noticed the standings, and didn’t like the idea of us in the postseason
Pretty sure it’s Godoy.
https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/chelsea-real-madrid-star-lassana-diarra-court-case-against-fifa/blta27a1a9d32e49f60