Naeher announces retirement, Paredes injury setback, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Happy Tuesday, everyone! I went to the Washington Spirit Fan Appreciation Event after work yesterday, and it was a nice little event. It’s clear the players and coach are still upset about the loss, but the fans were supportive and ready to celebrate the season overall. I was also glad to see how many people went to watch parties for the game this weekend. It feels like not long ago that it would have been hard to convince a bar to put a Spirit game on even one TV, and it’s exciting to see support for the team grow.
USWNT keeper Alyssa Naeher retiring from international game (ESPN)
Maybe I shouldn’t have been, but I was shocked to see this news yesterday. The USWNT is going to have a tough time replacing Naeher, who’s been solid in goal since she took over for Hope Solo and was surely an important presence on a team full of newbies over the past few years of transition.
Now some offseason news. First, Steven Goff is reporting that D.C. United is once again in talks to transfer Matai Akinmboni to Bournemouth. It’s not clear how close they are to a deal, though.
Loudoun United announced four (more) players will be leaving the club this offseason: Tommy Williamson, Isaac Espinal, Christiano Francois, and Pape Amadou Wane.
Vancouver Whitecaps part ways Vanni Sartini: Sources (Givemesport)
Another MLS team will be in search of a new coach this offseason.
USWNT boss Hayes hits out at ‘unacceptable’ abuse toward Kerr and Mewis (Pro Soccer Wire)
The fact that there was so much homophobic abuse that Chelsea had to take down a congratulations post for Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis’s pregnancy is just disgusting. Good for Hayes for saying something, and I hope she’s instilling a better culture among her players.
‘I’ve got my mojo back’: Emma Hayes reborn in USA and building new legacy (The Guardian)
I’m glad to hear Emma Hayes is enjoying life in the US and as National Team coach. She’s certainly had a positive impact on the team.
U.S. midfielder Kevin Paredes sustains setback in injury recovery (The Athletic $)
Paredes may not be back on the pitch until January after surgery to insert a pin in his foot last week.
Have a good week and a happy holiday!
Bummer for Kevin.
I’m of the opinion that if United can get $2 million from Bournemouth, then they should do the deal. Their window now is however far Benteke can take them, and they aren’t chock full of promising youngsters who will be on the cusp of something once Benteke leaves. Akinmboni is a talent, but unless he’s the penciled in starter next season (and it doesn’t seem like he should be), I think it’s okay to let him go and develop elsewhere. If we had an MLS Next Pro team (a-HEM), it might be a different story.
There would probably be some kind of sell-on fee involved as well, but $2 million is a pretty decent haul for a young guy without that much first team experience. I believe $1.05 million of that could be converted into GAM, and the rest could potentially help get that MLS Next Pro team set up. United has a good deal of salary cap flexibility, and an extra million could go a long way towards bringing in some more help. Center back is one of the largest areas of need, and that could help bring in a DP quality player without a DP level cap hit.
I personally think, if it’s less than 3 or 4 million, which is perfectly reasonable in this market for a player who could develop, they should absolutely get a sell-on clause.
It seems like pretty standard practice for most MLS sales to have one. It’s just kind of a toss up as to whether that ever actually comes into play. Nice if it does, but not necessarily worth banking on it happening.
Luckily it seems like there are quite a few quality Center Backs that could be in the free agent market this year. Obviously they are dependent on not re-signing with their current teams, but there are several that I think would be good pickups for DC if available. I noted Tim Parker yesterday, but Miles Robinson (though I assume his option will get picked up), Jesus Murillo, Jack Elliott (option), Jon Bell (not a world beater, but solid and a local guy), and quite a few others seem like they could be solid to get
Relieved that Hayes is defending Kerr and Mewis’ announcement, though it’s a bit of a layup after some of her previous difficulties with same-sex relationships (saying players dating is a problem as well as being a champion for Albert’s heinous views). Still, it’s a good thing she’s doing so.
I’m gonna admit, I wasn’t sold on Naeher’s earlier era- thought she was too nervy and didn’t live up to Solo, as hard as those shoes were to fill. However, that was a long time ago, and she’s proven to be every bit the warrior and success generator that Solo was, without a whiff of the toxicity Solo could be responsible for. Naeher was a champion many times over, the players loved her, respected, and relied on her. I hope she thoroughly enjoys this deserved retirement from the USWNT.
They made her dance, and then she retired.
(Kidding, she’s incredible.)
I just wish there was an obvious successor. They really haven’t been giving anyone but Casey Murphy game time, and now that she’s struggling, it looks like they’re going to have to take some risks on players with little international experience. (The two in camp right now have a combined one cap!!)
Sometimes it’s better not to. I think they could easily plug Kingsbury for a year or two while they wait for the next big thing to emerge. Overall, holes in the lineup can be a big opportunity, so let’s have faith the next starter is gonna ascend.
I think the USWNT would find a GK and then stick with that player. And then they’d get hurt or retire or something (ahem…Solo) and we’d be “WTF?”. We’ve got 3 years. Between a revitalized NWSL that is playing at a higher level with more talent and also more sophistication, I’m confident we’ll develop 2-4 candidates who are decent options. There will be plenty of caps to be had between now and the WWC. Personally, I think Kingsbury deserves a shot but I can understand if the decision is to go younger.
I was never a huge Naeher fan. Her club play hasn’t been anything to write home about the past couple of years. Her distribution isn’t good and she is terrible at making decisions on when and how far to come out. But she has ice water in her veins, is great on PKs and is a pretty good shot stopper–especially a big moments. She’s chosen a great time to go out–against two big teams on the road.
And that is a bummer for Paredes. That would rule him out of the January camp for the US Men. And that’s a shame because he’s a mini-Jedi Robinson, a perfect sub for him. And that’s important because Robinson plays such a big role for the US Men, that it’s critical to have a good sub in-case he gets hurt, card accumulation, etc.
That’s a shame about Kerr and Mewis. I know there are homophobes all around the world. But I would have thought better about England and London in particular. Especially since the fact that they’re a couple is not exactly news. But it seems like they’ve fallen victim to the mindset of “I’m OK with gay people as long as they stay invisible!” What a shame.
I know not many of you follow rugby, but this is big news. The US has been tabbed to host a New Zealand vs France match sometime next year. New Zealand is already facing Ireland in Chicago as part of the end-of-year international window next year.
https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2024/11/26/plans-for-the-usa-to-land-new-zealand-vs-france-test-match/
St Louis City have named their new head coach.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/st-louis-city-name-olof-mellberg-head-coach
My soccer buddy Tom Calhoun and I went to the Spirit Fan Appreciation Event last night. Maybe a thousand fans were gathered standing in the grassy field across from Buzzard Point stadium.
A big stage was flanked by two big screens and, if anything, too loud speakers for my cochlear implant. Spirit introduced every member of staff for
a walk across and wave before introducing each player individually to big cheers and flag waving.
I could understand every word of Michele Kang’s remarks. She made it very clear that this was a fan appreciation night and the positive contribution that the big, enthusiastic crowds had had to the team’s on-pitch success.
I understood less of Jonatan Giráldez’s remarks nor of the several panels of three or four players that were called upon for remarks. It was clear that all lauded the fans’ support.
Overall, a first class event and I repeat my prediction: Spirit will outdraw DC United in actual fans in their seats next season.
They already do. Kang is a far better owner than Levien and co.
Yep. Kang is a fast growing icon who has earned it, Levien and co. are a joke that has long lost any semblance of humor. Get out of my club.
For future reference, Spirit’s 2024 attendance was 14,651 and DC United’s “announced” attendance was 18,187. Nonetheless, Spirit’s two playoff sellouts (19,215 and 19,365) were the two biggest actual in-place crowds I have seen, having attended almost all DCU and Spirit home matches since Buzzard Point opened in mid-2018.
The Rooney DCU vs Columbus playoff game had to be very close to those numbers. It was rafter hanging stuff. (But I totally get your point).
Even then, there always seem to be empty seats in the club seats section for DCU matches. Not so, the big Spirit crowds.
More club drinkers, I’d wager…..
:^)
Pep made a bad call extending. His side just collapsed to Feyenoord, conceding three goals and blowing three goal lead to tie it late in the CL. I’ll be the first to say “Feyenoord are a solid team,” traditionally one of the better Dutch sides, but goodness, he overstayed.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid today… what a script.
Um, are you kidding me?
https://youtu.be/NWIPUAJ4te0?si=mK_MNNaYFs5kBOCF