DC United trade for Lukas MacNaughton, Trinity Rodman keeps it real, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, everyone. As we begin the holiday travel season, I hope everyone who’s hitting the road or skies travels safely. Here’s some of the news from yesterday:
DC United acquire defender Lukas MacNaughton from Nashville SC for $200K in Garber Bucks. It’s another player that Ally Mackay is familiar with from his time down there.
‘He’s not a dad’ – Trinity Rodman blasts Dennis Rodman in devastating interview (PSW)
A very revealing interview by Trinity Rodman addresses her father, Dennis Rodman, attending a Spirit match a couple of years ago and how she doesn’t have a relationship with him. She also talks about other stuff going on in her life and career in the Call Her Daddy podcast episode.
Washington Spirit sign free agent midfielder Narumi Miura to 2-year deal, option for 2027 (DP)
Narumi Miura is now a member of the Spirit! She signs a 2-year deal with the club, joining from the NC Courage.
Mbappe scores as Real Madrid win Intercontinental Cup (BBC)
The thing that used to be the Club World Cup has a new name and format, but one thing’s still clear: Real Madrid dominates at it. They beat Pachuca in the final 3-0 to claim the Intercontinental Cup, making Carlo Ancelotti the winningest manager in Real Madrid history.
The Crew are moving their regular season match against Inter Miami to the Cleveland Browns stadium in the hopes to capitalize on Messi. We’ll see how that works out.
USMNT star Robinson admits he ‘would leave’ Fulham (PSW)
Antonee Robinson has excelled for Fulham, and this could be his final season with the club. He’s open to a move to a new club and most expect that club to be much bigger.
PSG keeper Donnarumma bloodied by cleat to the face (ESPN)
Gianluigi Donnarumma took a cleat to the face in a Ligue 1 match against Monaco, and WHEW. Got his face looking like Augustus Gibbons from XXX.
New York Red Bulls sign ex-Bayern, PSG star Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (MLS)
Former Bayern and PSG star Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is headed to the hated rivals up north, signing a 2-year deal with the Red Bulls.
Fans to be banned from drinking alcohol in stadiums at Saudi World Cup (The Guardian)
In 2034, there will be no alcohol at stadiums at the World Cup. Which is expected, given that Saudi Arabia is a dry country.
Enjoy the day, y’all.
I would’ve thought that after Qatar, FIFA would have realized the foolishness of hosting the WC in the Middle East. What stupidity and greed–this is just money influencing this decision.
It was really up to the federations to make this at least uncomfortable enough to make change, and there basically wasn’t a blip.
I can’t wait for all the dune buggy coverage from FOX…
Interesting story about Orange County SC down in the USL as fans have invested over $1M into the club: https://www.themirror.com/sport/soccer/orange-county-sc-usl-investment-864454
Trin’a story is a tough read, for someone who cares for this player’s wellbeing and admires their play. Dennis has been a louse for a long time, rebound numbers be damned. I’m glad she feels the confidence to tell the truth about her experience, giving this man any credit is clearly not warranted.
Wouldn’t at all be surprised is Liverpool makes a move for Jedi. Andy Robertson has struggled of late, and isn’t getting any younger. Robinson was an Everton academy player with deep ties to the area, and his play at left back has been elite. Arne Slot also seems to devalue genius attacking play from fullback in what is inarguably a successful playstyle, Robinson’s discipline would be a huge plus. Could definitely see it happening.
Liverpool or Tottenham
I’m gonna skip past the Saudi nonsense, as I’m going to give myself time to decide whether I even want to watch at that point.
Instead, let me just say, I regrettably think Redbull NJ just pulled off a great signing. At 35, Choupo-Moting is close to a potential form cliff due to age, but even one season of playing near the level he’s shown himself capable of could be devastating. Highly athletic, showed a nose for goal for Bayern in arguably one of their best patches of momentum not so long ago. If he gets on a roll in the league, NJ may have really solved a massive issue up front for them, at least for a season.
For those who like good-looking soccer players, Lukas MacNaughton is apparently also a model.
… apparently not wrong. He’s not going to retire as much as become a full time stud. Farewell to the local dating pool.
anybody remember this: Bobby Boswell was named one of the 50 Most Attractive Bachelors in the November 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine as Mr. Virginia.
I have no opinion on MacNaughton but wonder what others think about how well he would fit into DC’s defense. We clearly need help back there and need a few more players to shore things up in the back.
Separately, I was unaware the InterContinental Cup was even being played. I watched the Liga Mx final (2nd leg) between America and Monterrey Sunday night and don’t remember any mention of it. Anyway good on Pachuca for having made it to the Final before getting dispatched by Real Madrid. Pachuca beat Botafogo and then Egypt’s Al Ahly on PKs to get to the final. Those are better results than Concacaf teams typically earn.
From Jason Anderson: Team-by-team GAM allocations published for the first time. We move from “completely opaque” to “through a mirror darkly”.
Per Goff, DC has selected Derek Dodson in the re-entry draft. He was at Minnesota, and had been loaned out to Birmingham. Played forward in college, now plays as a wingback. Would imagine he’s backup for Herrera and Schnegg
The college he went to was Georgetown, so he’s familiar with DC. In the second round of the re-entry draft, you can negotiate a player’s contract, but he was making $89,000 last year, so there’s not really any room to negotiate it downwards.
He has more experience in USL than MLS, and I’m a little leery of going to the USL well so many times if we’re planning to be a winning MLS side, but it doesn’t hurt to have some goal-scoring ability from the fullback position. We now have two fullback backups in Dodson (assuming he signs) and Antley, but I certainly wouldn’t mind getting someone else back there.
Antley coming off an ACL repair, so I wouldn’t count on him, especially in the early parts of the season.
The USL well would be fine, but a young guy who was deemed surplus at Minnesota? Less exciting.
That’s not an issue for me. As I recall, Dodson was drafted by MU and then their management changed. Different people have different evaluations. And someone who doesn’t fit one scheme may be an excellent fit in another. Look at Herrera who was good at Montreal but outstanding here.
Miami unfortunately sends Campana to New England for $2 million and many add-ons. So he remains in the East and will probably have more minutes to cause us all sorts of problems. If Porter doesn’t rip his soul out.
BIG update from Goff: DC is in the process of trading Klich to Atlanta. DC would get the 23rd pick in the Super Draft and $350k *conditional* GAM. DC may end up keeping some of Klich’s salary on their books to make it happen. I’d assume this is mostly about opening up a DP spot, less about what we’re actually getting in return
I will be sad to see him go, as he’s easily one of the tidiest guys we had on the ball. A little rough off-the-ball, but so was everyone else. Nonetheless, it’s probably a good move in that it means we have more roster flexibility.
Goff’s update indicates that this does NOT free up a DP spot. We’ll be hanging on to most of his salary. Basically, we get some GAM, a late first rounder, and free up some cap room plus a roster spot. That’s it. We don’t get to go after another DP.
So… in effect, we’re going to pay for Atlanta to have an extra DP, while we roll out Benteke and the 10 smurfs. Who needs a Miami-like relationship with Garber when you can exploit DCU?
MLS Mock Draft up, and Travis Clark has DC United getting high-scoring winger at Cornell, Alex Harris. Seems like that would be a real coup — or at least the right pick. Smart, highly regarded, and prolific scorer. And, a native of Washington State — no green card needed.
WOW!!! …Did not see coming the RFK site ‘actually’ getting transferred under DC control.
Once it got pulled out of the legislative budge deal to keep the government open, seems everyone, media included, figured it dead.
Understanding Trump would never allow it to be transferred to DC (Mayor Muriel Bowser) had it not gotten done prior to his arrival in the WH.
Then the miracle Hail Mary at 1:15 AM in the U.S. Senate came out of nowhere.
Got to believe once Michele Kang’s lobbying effort got involved, it had something to do with this surprise move in the U.S. Senate.
Opens the door for her to negotiate with the DC to build a gleaming new women’s soccer only stadium for her Spirit on the RFK site. Likely next to a new Commanders stadium too.
Beautiful property on the riverfront with a metro stop. Projected development to include retail, residential, Sports complex with stadiums & open parkland.
‘In Michele Kang we trust.’
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