Loudoun re-sign Awuah, tragedy in Guinea, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Hello and happy Tuesday! I have just finished a two-hour recording of Hey Spirits, so apologies if these Kicks are brief. We do have a few off-season items and international news to discuss, so let’s get into it.
Dozens killed in crowd crush at Guinea soccer match (CNN)
Starting off with some tragic and scary news from Guinea. At least fifty-six people are reported to have died after the crowd became enraged by a referee decision late in the match, and police responded with tear gas. Hoping there are no more deaths, as many people are still hospitalized.
Fiorentina player ‘awake, alert’ after collapse during Serie A match (Washington Post $)
In better news, the player previously reported to be in a coma is now awake and in better condition, though diagnostic tests are still needed to determine what happened.
Loudoun United FC extend Kwame Awuah to a two-year contract through 2026. (Loudoun United)
Loudoun have re-signed defender Kwame Awuah (and on his birthday!)
San Jose acquire three players in trade with New England: Sources (Give Me Sport)
San Jose gain Mark-Anthony Kaye, Dave Romney and Ian Harkes in exchange for $500,000 GAM and an international roster spot. I’m guessing this was a Bruce Arena-led deal.
In silly season news, Steven Goff is speculating about a possible goalkeeping signing for D.C. United:
2024 November USWNT Friendlies – USA vs. Netherlands: Seeking more than a moral victory (SSFC)
Get ready for this afternoon’s USWNT vs Netherlands match-up with this preview. Personally, I’m most excited to see whether Lily Yohannes will take the field against her almost-team.
Everton’s Ashley Young eyes dream FA Cup tie against son (ESPN)
Inter-generational sports: they’re not just for the LA Lakers.
That’s all for now. Have a good week!
Holy moly, I had no idea about Guinea. It’s absolutely devastating how often something like this seems to happen. I’ll be thinking about those who lost loved ones today.
We’ll have to see what happens with Navas–should be interesting. And I also agree it will be fascinating to see if Yohannes starts. Frankly, the US Midfield could use her. That was the weakest link in the Olympics and Hayes needs to get that part of the team sorted out.
To be clear, Goff isn’t connecting Navas with DC. Navas is working with Luciano Emilio to pursue a move to MLS.
Now, Emilio has connections with DC, and DC needs a goalkeeper. It’s my fervent hope that Ally Mackay is working on this, but right now there’s no actual connection between Navas and DC.
Just to throw another wrinkle in, Mackay and Lesesne have shown themselves to be pretty unsentimental about their roster moves. I don’t think Emilio having a connection to DCU means much to them as far as signing or not signing Navas. Either they think he’s right or not.
“Well, he’s no Jordan Farr. Pass.”
I’ve made my concerns known about potentially signing him, but I will say, I don’t think Mackay and Lesesne’s lack of connection to Emilio affects the dynamic at all. Emilio is involved, and Emilio is still a fan of the club. That doesn’t mean he won’t try to get a good deal from anyone, but his closeness would be an edge. And “unsentimental” does not mean that, if Mackay likes the idea, he’s refusing to exploit that dynamic, in fact, I imagine it would be the opposite.
In short, if Mackay wants in for Navas, he’ll go in for him.
That’s what I was trying to say. Or maybe moreso, if Kasper were in charge, the connection to a previous United figure would factor in more regardless of the quality of the player being discussed.
Oh and it looks like Ellis is no longer with San Diego. Instead, she’ll work with an organization more suited to her morals – FIFA.
Christian Benteke is 34 today.
As a birthday present, Benteke got named to the MLS Best XI. It’s the first time United has had a player on the Best XI since Lucho and Rooney in 2018. It’s the 29th player from DC to make the Best XI, second most after the Galaxy.
“Second most after the Galaxy” really bothers me in all aspects, we need to restore the proper order of things. Not sure if the current owners care much though.
Yeah. The Galaxy showed that a rebuild can be done quickly if you’re getting the right pieces. Getting Ally Mackay and Troy Lesesne in place seem like good moves, and they’ve cleared out pretty much every last piece of the roster that could be cleared out from 2023. Let’s see who they bring in.
TIL that Miami hired Javier Mascherano a week ago to be their coach.
Hey, Annie, reminder to put up a thread for the USWNT vs Netherlands coming up soon! It may be me just talking to myself at that time of day, but it is fun to have a space for that
It is yes.
I’m working on it. Seeing if the lineups will come out soon so I can include them!
If anyone is interested the 2024-2025 HSBC 7s series kicked off last weekend with the Dubai event and continues this coming weekend with the Capetown 7s.
The Men’s Eagles 7s had a forgettable Dubai 7s first losing all 3 of their pool matches (28-12 vs New Zealand, 42-20 vs Fiji, 26-0 vs Spain). They then went on to lose both of their Sevens 2 matches (15-12 to Uruguay, and 19-12 to Ireland). On the bright side, 5 players made their debut with the Men’s Eagles 7s this past weekend.
https://eagles.rugby/news/five-debuts-as-usa-mens-sevens-kick-off-new-era-in-dubai-2024121
The Women’s Eagles 7s on the other hand had a much better performance at the Dubai 7s as they finished 5th and captured 12 standings points. They started off pool play defeating Great Britain 26-15 despite an early yellow card. Then they beat Spain 33-17, which secured them a spot in the quarterfinals. In their final pool match they lost to France 14-5. They got an immediate rematch with France in the quarterfinal where they lost 38-12. However, they wrapped up the competition defeating Ireland 17-7 in the 5th/6th place match. The women’s team saw 6 players make their debut.
https://eagles.rugby/news/usa-womens-eagles-capture-12-points-at-dubai-svns-2024121
Darth Garber has been extended as MLS Commissioner through 2027.
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/mls-commissioner-don-garbers-contract-extended-through-2027