USL Jägermeister Cup, Annapolis Blues name women’s coach, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! I have realized how much shorter the Christmas shopping season is this year (due to a late Thanksgiving) and am really scrambling to get all my gifts in time. There has not been a ton of soccer news to distract me from this purpose, but I managed to find a few items of interest.
USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League (Loudoun United)
The expanded Cup will include all 38 teams in USL Championship and USL One, beginning with a group stage in late April. Loudoun United will play first against the five other teams in Group Five, including Richmond Kickers and North Carolina FC.
Stoppage time matters: how substitutions and using all minutes played affect player statistics (American Soccer Analysis)
Cool article that looks at the increasing length of game time and how the way it’s calculated skews the stats of substitutes in particular.
Ashly Kennedy Named First Women’s Team Coach in Blues Club History! (Annapolis Blues)
The Annapolis Blues are moving fast in putting together their coaching staff in anticipation of their first season. Head coach Ashly Kennedy has coached at various teams around the region over the past several years.
“Better Than Yesterday”- Jonatan Giraldez Still Coping With Washington Spirit’s NWSL Final Loss to Orlando Pride (Essentially Sports)
This man is really not used to losing soccer games.
Viktoria Plzen vs Man United: Ruben Amorim pleased by Rasmus Højlund, Amad row (ESPN)
Not sure I agree that a post-match shouting match between teammates is a “good sign” for the team.
For a little something fun, here’s DC Power’s Jorian Baucom preparing for and performing a small part in The Nutcracker with the Washington Ballet:
Finally, we have our last match schedule of 2024! The Power are playing the final match before their midseason break this weekend. They’ll return in February.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Power FC vs. Lexington SC | Sat., Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. ET | Lexington, KY | Peacock |
Ah yes, it is time for the Nutcracker. I actually did that scene (parents’ dance, Act One) for many years. Few skills required. I applaud Jorian’s participation in this one. I deceived the company that soccer made me talented, it took a lot of work. I cannot emphasize how incredibly athletic and poised ballet dancers are. They make it look easy. It is not.
For those in the Virginia burbs, Manassas Ballet puts on a tremendous show with full orchestra, kids and a full professional company. They perform at the Hylton Center on the G. Mason campus in Manassas. A superb venue. I’ll be presenting the colors Wednesday for Salute to the Military Night. Can’t wait. Love me my Nutcracker.
End of plug, but I promise that you would enjoy this. Do consider….
Unrelated, Ally MacKay has announced a signing of a central defender from the Nutcracker League Division 2. “He has the chops for the game…” said an excited MacKay. Transfer fee included two front row tickets to this season’s show.
Though oldest son Gregory played in the American Professional Soccer League (MLS immediate predecessor) with the immortal New Mexico Chiles, we all agreed that cousin Christina Foisie, primers ballerina for the Cincinnati Ballet, was far and away the Rusk-Foisie clan’s top athlete.