Bethune is Rookie AND Midfielder of the Year, new MLS transfer record, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! Real cold weather is finally here, and I’m enjoying the opportunity to wear oversized sweaters and my Washington Spirit varsity jacket. However, I fear it will make for a very chilly evening for those of you lucky enough to be in Kansas City for the NWSL Championship tomorrow.
Washington Spirit’s rookie sensation Croix Bethune wins NWSL’s inaugural Midfielder of the Year Award (Washington Spirit)
Wow! I was not expecting this! Yes, she’s had Rookie of the Year in the bag for months, but Croix Bethune winning Midfielder of the Year (in the first year for the award) shows what a big deal she is. To be fair, tying the league record for assists in just 17 games is big.
FC Cincinnati breaks MLS transfer record with Denkey signing (Pro Soccer Wire)
The reported $16.2 million FC Cincinnati paid for Kévin Denkey from Cercle Brugge beats out the previous record of $16 million for Thiago Almada.
Trinity Rodman has learned how to fail. She’s better for it. (Washington Post $)
A look at Rodman’s development as she prepares to play in the second NWSL final of her young career.
‘Now was not time to leave’: Pep Guardiola pens new two-year Manchester City deal (The Guardian)
Did anyone really think he’d leave?
Can the NWSL ever compete with MLS, NHL, NFL or NBA? (ESPN)
As the NWSL grows in viewership and recognition, this article asks whether it could ever be considered a true major league.
MLS Cup playoffs are broken. Here’s how to fix them. (The Athletic $)
Another think-piece for your Friday. This article argues the current playoff structure fails to sufficiently reward in-season performance. I thought there were some interesting arguments, but I’m not sure how much I want playoffs to favor the top teams.
In addition to the NWSL Championship, the USL Championship final is this Saturday, and Loudoun United are hosting a watch party at Anchor Bar.
Finally, here’s our schedule of events for the weekend. The biggest one (sorry, Power) is obviously Washington Spirit in the NWSL Championship match. I hope you’ll all think about tuning in!
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Power FC vs. Ft. Lauderdale United FC | Sat., Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Davie, FL | Peacock |
| Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride | Sat., Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. ET | Kansas City, MO | CBS, Paramount+ |
St Louis City FC supporters group St Louligans not fighting trademark battle. https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2024-11-20/st-louligans-soccer-trademark-legal-battle
https://www.washingtonian.com/2024/11/21/the-washington-spirit-good-luck-charm/
I probably should’ve included a Baby Meera article. What a strange phenomenon
Annie–praising cold weather? You’re a sick woman!
I totally agree with you about Bethune and the MotY award–I did not see that coming. Congrats! Now, if we can just keep her on the field for an entire season!
Some great features out in the Post about Spirit individuals. A nice article about Jona Giraldez. And you cited the Rodman one (and then there was the Trin Spin one before that).
You hot weather weirdos had your chance. Let the comfy warm clothing weather commence!
Sitting on my couch with a fuzzy blanket, a warm beverage, and a cat on my lap: what could be better?
I think Ted Lasso said “a weighted blanket, “Sleepless in Seattle” and a box of Snookers.
I am going to Aruba
Expect a signing for DC United or the Spirit as I scout away
We’re looking for a Centerback and another GK.
I heard the Surinam Messi will be training there.
I’m actually a bit surprised Pep is staying with Man City, I thought he was smarter. Perfect opportunity to ride out of town a legend (even if this season seems to be the end of a squad era). All those charges are coming down the pipeline for the club, and does he want to rebuild the squad if they get relegated? Titles stripped? He would have been wise to get out, make it someone else’s problem.
Even if they got all their titles stripped and got relegated (which I really, really doubt) and had to get rid of nearly every player, they’re still a massively wealthy (state-sponsored) club. He’ll just add to his legend by bringing an upstart young squad up from the Championship.
Again, if that all happens.
Check out Paddypower and their hilarious take on Man City with the “asterisk squad”
Maybe it’s his ideal job, but it seems to me that this couch is too formed around his shape. There’s an indent in his shape. Remaking the squad is a challenge, but I would have thought a new project was in order, even without the absolutely insane distractions and possible ramifications of the owners’ behavior
Good for Croix
I just kind of wish MLS playoffs were relevant enough to my fandom to have an opinion on them.
I would say, since they’re basically a mini tournament anyway, keeping a larger field is fine. The top club in the regular season wins the Supporters Shield. They don’t get a star, but they get a trophy and a spot in the various champions competitions, just like the MLS Cup winner. And the other top clubs also tend to get various prizes and recognitions.
As for making the regular season more relevant, again my fandom doesn’t really allow that to compute. I still have fun watching all the regular season games.
The length of the playoffs with all the breaks is awful. They could easily have a very exclusive cup that wraps up quickly, doesn’t lose momentum, and doesn’t make it feel like the rest of the league hasn’t played in a year. There are enough games the rest of the season (not to mention the leagues cup ugh).
Darth Garber proposed just rolling out Inter Miami for a two hour festival celebration of their appointment to the MLS Cup Trophy presentation.
My frustration has been less with the scheduling from MLS (though it could be better) and more from the sheer number of international windows that Fifa has decided to cram into Fall. If the windows were spread out more evenly, this would be less of an issue. After having back-to-back-to-back windows in September, October, and November, we dont have another window until March, and then not another one until June. 3 windows in 3 months followed by 2 windows in 7 months.
US Men’s Eagles legend and long time captain Will Hooley sat down with Old Glory’s Cory Daniel ahead of tomorrow’s test match against Spain. It’s the final game of the year and an important test for the Eagles.
https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/daniels-eagles-poised-for-spain-showdown/