Kundananji’s taunt, Nicole Douglas to DC Power, and more: Election Day Freedom Kicks
If you, like me, are coming into today with a terrible sense of dread, I hope at least the Freedom Kicks can help you distract yourself for a while. AFTER you’ve voted, of course.
It wouldn’t be Tuesday without some awards nominations. First up, we have Ashley Hatch’s goal for the final 2024 NWSL Goal of the Week. It was a banger, but I don’t think she can beat Christine Sinclair’s retirement goal.
Next, Loudoun United’s Kwame Awuah has been nominated for the USL’s Comeback Player Award, given to a player who has put on an impressive performance after returning from injury. Awuah was injured in early 2023 and came back to play in all 34 of Loudon’s games this year. (Thanks to Ryan Keefer for this info!)
The Expected Own Goals NWSL Awards Ballot (American Soccer Analysis)
Voting for end-of-season awards will also begin soon for the NWSL, and a few Washington Spirit players are already being talked about. Croix Bethune is the favorite for Rookie of the Year, but I love to see Casey Krueger and Trinity Rodman getting some attention too.
The overstuffed football calendar is reducing quality but increasing drama (The Guardian)
I’m not sure overplaying top players is the best way to bring more parity to the Premier League.
DC Power Football Club signs forward Nicole Douglas (DC Power)
A familiar face is returning to DC. Nicole Douglas was drafted to Washington Spirit in 2023 and played the 23-24 season for one of Michele Kang’s other clubs, the London City Lionesses, before returning stateside to join DC Power.
Stop that, Racheal Kundananji (Pro Soccer Wire)
This was indeed filthy.
In Her Own Words: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
Finally, if you haven’t bought tickets for Sunday’s Washington Spirit playoff match yet, take it from Croix: you should.
That’s all for now. Take of yourselves, everyone!
Yes…yes indeed that Kundunanaji move was absolute filth.
While nothing was said officially, it looks like DC will be losing Claudia Pagan. She announced yesterday that she’ll be joining Morning Footy on the Golazo Network full time, and it looks like she removed DC United from her Twitter bio. Great to see her moving up the ranks, but sad to see her go with all the great content she did over the past few years
Absolutely devastating, not the least cuz I think I’d have to listen to Charlie Davies to follow her there
Good for her. She’s knowledgable and also polished on air–she’ll do a great job. And also sad to see her go.
Annie, the vibes are that this is a serious day, this choice of choices. I think enough people are thinking of the repercussions of this choice that we’ll be ok.
That’s all I’ll say.
Last night New Mexico United defeated USL champs Phoenix Rising 2-1 before 15,000+ at Isotopes Park. Will now face Las Vegas in USL semifinal also at home, I believe.
Personally I liked Hatch’s goal the best. If Sinclair wins, it’s out of sentiment and not quality or difficulty.
I agree completely.
Malik Tillman with a nice goal in the Champions League against Girona. I just wish he had a lot more dedication in his play for the USMNT
I don’t know if we posted this back when it came out on Oct 24, but The Athletic has an interesting look at the latest MLS salary numbers.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5870076/2024/10/24/lionel-messi-mls-salary-guide-top-earners/
Something that stands out to me is Lorenzo Insigne is a whopping 48.4% of Toronto FC’s total salary spend at $15.4 million. Benteke’s $4,687,500 is obviously DCU’s most expensive player and is 28.4% of our salary spend. Messi is at $20,446,667 and is 49.0% of Miami’s salary spend.
There are definitely worse DPs in league history, but I don’t think any of them come close to being a bigger bust than Insigne.