Nancy wins MLS Coach of the Year, DC United signs goalkeeper, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone! Two days until the NWSL Final…can’t wait to cheer on the Spirit from somewhere here in the District. Safe travels to everyone headed out to KC to cheer in person!
Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy named 2024 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year (MLS)
Pretty deserving award for Wilfried Nancy, as he wins the MLS Coach of the Year.
D.C. United Signs Goalkeeper Jordan Farr from the Tampa Bay Rowdies (DCU)
The Black-and-Red have a goalkeeper! Jordan Farr will join the team from the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and it sounds like more signings are coming.
Michele Kang, U.S. Soccer announce $30 million investment in women’s soccer (SSFC)
Michele Kang does it again, investing $30 million in U.S. Soccer to help bring women and girls more opportunities to develop their game. It also includes more investment in developing female coaches and referees.
FC Dallas name Eric Quill head coach (MLS)
FC Dallas has a new coach in Eric Quill, who comes over from New Mexico United. He also coached North Texas SC and is familiar with the FC Dallas setup.
USWNT to face Japan, Australia, and Colombia in 2025 SheBelieves Cup (SSFC)
SheBelieves Cup opponents have been announced, and the USWNT will once again load up against some pretty good teams.
Hey Spirits episode: Semifinal review: Hal Hero-shfelt and God-mode Aubrey Kingsbury (DP)
Get ready for Saturday’s final by firing up the latest Hey Spirits episode!!
Concacaf Nations League Finals matchups set as USMNT goes for 4th straight title (SSFC)
The USMNT are back in the Concacaf Nations League Finals, where they will face Panama in the semis in March.
Italian club Piacenza sack two head coaches on the same day (The Athletic)
*channels voice of Smokey from Friday* How do you fire two coaches on your day off?!
USMNT to kick off 2025 in January Camp friendly against Venezuela (SSFC)
The USMNT’s first match next year will take place in Inter Miami’s temporary house as they will face Venezuela.
UEFA award Romania 3-0 victory over Kosovo after walk-off (ESPN)
So, Kosovo walks off the field in protest after hearing anti-Kosovo chants from the Romanian fans. Romania is fined and punished for their fans’ chants. But Kosovo is also punished for walking off by declaring the match a 3-0 Romania win.
UEFA, make it make sense.
Ex-Manchester United star Juan Mata buys stake in San Diego FC (ESPN)
Juan Mata joins the leadership group at San Diego FC, becoming the first active soccer player to own a stake in a MLS team.
Messi ties Donovan’s all-time international assist record (PSW)
Did you know Landon Donovan was the all-time international assist record holder for men’s soccer? Well, now he has to make room for Lionel Messi, who tied his record on Tuesday.
Enjoy your Thursday!
For those who wish to reflect on happier times, MLS Cup 1999 is the Wikipedia article of the day.
Some USL news
Ryan Keefer just shared a tweet that there are reports out of Poland that DC has been linked to Joao Peglow from Radomiak Radom. He’s 22 (turns 23 in January, so not U22 eligible) Brazilian and appears to be a winger based on the report
Yeah, I watched some highlights. He seems fine. Quick, likes to cross the ball, though tough to tell how accurately. In 16 games in Poland, he only has 1 goal and 2 assists, so not eye-popping. He’s under contract until 2026, and if he can’t be a U-22 then I hope they’re able to acquire him at a reasonable rate.
He plays on the left, which is a hole we need to fill. If the coaching staff has confidence in their ability to develop Pirani, then I can see how they’d also feel good about getting Peglow to level up.
In short, doesn’t seem like an amazing signing, but could potentially be good. He shouldn’t be the tentpole of this window’s acquisitions though.
For what EA Sports FC 25 player ratings are worth he’s rated at only 60: https://www.ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/ratings/player-ratings/joao-peglow/71914
They rate Pirani at 67 and KDP is 64.
Woof.
Again, I’m not opposed to the signing. But seems like they’d hopefully be bringing in at least one more player at that position.
Hard to really say how I feel about any 1 signing, given that we need so many new players. Farr and this guy don’t come across as guys that will get us into the playoffs, let alone competing for hardware. But if they come in and keep things stable when Mysteryman is called up or injured? Could be great.
https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2024-11-20/st-louligans-soccer-trademark-legal-battle
Maybe they could buy DC United and torture our supporter groups some more?
https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/11/21/the-washington-spirit-good-luck-charm/