Leagues Cup format scrapped, USWNT end at #1, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday. I’m out of town one more day, as I escaped for a long weekend with some friends before the holidays. As I settle in to work, here’s some of the news from over the weekend:
Leagues Cup scraps mid-summer pause to MLS, Liga MX seasons (ESPN)
I’ve always said that the only way Leagues Cup works is if it’s an ACC-SEC Challenge style where it’s just two days on the calendar, one Tuesday-Wednesday in say May, where there are 18 matches split between those two days. Winning league gets the trophy and can host Campeones Cup and get the bragging rights. This is a step in that direction, but not a huge step.
USWNT end 2024 at #1 in FIFA world rankings (SSFC)
The final rankings of 2024 are out, and the USWNT remain at #1. They carry that ranking into a 2025 that sees them play some difficult teams in the first 4 months.
Post-match Recap: DC Power Football Club Loses 3-0 to Lexington SC on the Road (DC Power)
DC Power lose at Lexington SC in their final match before the midseason break. Their next task: find a new head coach.
Alex Zendejas boosts USMNT prospects with starring role in Liga MX title triumph (The Athletic)
Alex Zendejas has been on a tear, and his assist helped Club América win the Liga MX Apertura title over the weekend.
10 MLS free agents to watch this offseason (MLS)
Are any of these players on your wish list for DC United?
Washington Spirit: Offseason expectations, needs, and potential targets (DP)
Who should the Spirit pursue in the offseason? Who will they target in free agency? André has the inside scoop!
Speaking of the Spirit, they’re on Bluesky if you’re over there!
Inter Miami CF unveil 2025 The Fortitude Kit (MLS)
Miami has released their away jersey (they’re breaking MLS rules and releasing another home jersey as well), and San Diego released their inaugural jersey. So…MLS CAN release jerseys before the holidays! Why can’t they do that for everyone to build some buzz?
Enjoy the day, y’all.
Gio Reyna scored a banger in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-1 tie over the weekend. I would love it if this is the start of some great, long lasting form. In theory, Dortmund are a great team for his playstyle, can’t really think of another team that would be better for that. So, here’s hoping!
Bayern is supreme. Live this life.
If you’re encouraging me to root for Bayern, sorry, don’t have a genuine connection to them, which is the only reason to root for a conglomerate like Bayern. Unless “very rarely experiencing a losing instance in sports” is your top priority when choosing a club.
In terms of the free agents mentioned, Jack Elliott is signing with Chicago. United obviously needs center backs, and Elliott has been quite good in MLS, so that does seem a bit like a miss. I’m hoping that they’re looking at bringing in a really top center back (my head is turned by Steve Kapuadi right now).
Of the players left on that list, Albert Rusnak would be the top choice. I had my eye on him after his time at RSL was up, and it makes a lot more sense if Mateusz Klich does indeed move on. Unfortunately, I think Rusnak wants to stay in Seattle and Seattle wants to hang on to him.
Raheem Edwards is a really intriguing option. We need fullback depth, and Edwards might fill the Pedro Santos role.
Yeah unfortunately the speed of the free agent market made the list age pretty quickly. Edwards would be a good, experienced option if we aren’t short on international spots. I’m hopeful that the roster has guys like him so we don’t go into the summer with only 10 outfield players in the 18 like this year (only a slight exaggeration).
Edwards had a green card back in 2022. I don’t know if that elapsed when he went back to play in Montreal.
I was really hoping we’d be able to get Elliott, but at least the free agent market has a lot of solid center back options. Tim Parker and Lalas Abubakar stand out to me as decent ones still left on the board.
Parker is good, although likely to be expensive (and not a sure thing to want to come play here). I don’t think he should be our big tentpole signing of a central defender, although he might want to be paid like it. Parker was making $1 million last year.
Abubakar might be a decent veteran rotational player, but I feel like his skills have been slipping in recent years, and he also made a base of $665,000 last year, so he’s not cheap either. That said, he’d be our first player from the University of Dayton since Chris Rolfe, and I can’t be upset about that!
Remember the Magic Headband!
Both jerseys that I’ve seen so far have basically been plain black shirts. MLS had done a good job of moving into more interesting designs, so it’s disheartening to see teams like Miami and San Diego not doing anything more than poorly ripping off DC United.
San Diego’s is a navy blue jersey with that color swatch that goes around their crest coming up on the teamgeist template. But yes, expect a lot of monochrome jerseys this offseason.
Fashion. It comes down to fashion.
-David Bowie
DC has announced the signing of Joao Peglow. He’s on a three year deal with an option for a fourth. Ally Mackay seems really high on him, and let’s hope he’s right (and that Lesesne can bring out his potential). The announcement doesn’t mention anything about TAM, and his status is just “international.”
Peglow & Pirani, the caipirinha connection!
Unless one or both is a tee-totaler, in which case never mind.