Netflix gets WWC broadcast rights, Annapolis Blues join USL League Two, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Happy Monday, everyone. Two more days till Christmas and Hanukkah, so get that shopping in! Here’s what took place over the weekend:
Netflix secures exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups (SSFC)
Keep your Netflix accounts current. They are the new home for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups, and with that comes a ton of questions and concerns.
Annapolis Blues FC to join USL League Two in 2025 (USL)
The Annapolis Blues are headed to USL League Two! This should be a fun season for them and I’m excited to see what they can do.
Matuesz Klich is headed to Atlanta United as DC United traded the midfielder for some Garber Bucks and a MLS SuperDraft pick. In that, they still have to pay enough of his salary that it takes up a DP slot. So, Klich will still be occupying a DP slot for DC while he plays next season for Atlanta.
Can we buy his contract out or pay it down? Well…
And in even further news, the pick that we received from Atlanta was traded away too.
MLS SuperDraft 2025: Every team’s selections (MLS)
The MLS SuperDraft was on Friday, and DC United was very active. In addition to the traded 23rd pick, they drafted Hakim Karamoko from NC State, Daniel Ittycheria from Princeton, Jonah Biggar from South Carolina, and Grant Bailey from Loyola Chicago. Now comes their opportunity to make the team.
Congress passes RFK bill in surprise move, giving D.C. control of stadium site (WaPo)
Mixed in the shuffle of Congress funding the government late late Friday night, they passed a bill that will turn control of the RFK site over to DC. That paves the way for DC to use it however they may see fit, which would include trying to lure the Commanders back…but wait, could that also be Michele Kang’s music we hear?
How Morocco became a burgeoning football superpower (The Athletic)
Morocco has stormed into the elite in world football, and this article gives a look at how they seized on the opportunity and built their recent success from the ground up.
Barcelona members ratify historic Nike deal in boost to club finances (ESPN)
FC Brokelona needs cash, and a new Nike deal that was ratified could bring in more than €100 million per year to help them out of the billions (plural) they’re in debt.
DC United, Marlo Furniture donate 60 beds to those in need during the holiday season (WTOP)
DC United was in the giving spirit this holiday season, partnering with Marlo Furniture to donate 60 beds to families in need.
Why Brazilian sides are being targeted by multi-club groups (The Athletic)
Brazilian clubs are receiving a new wave of investment. The Athletic tells us why the interest has grown for them.
The 100 best male footballers in the world 2024 (The Guardian)
The top 3 men’s players in 2024, according to The Guardian: Rodri, Vinicius Jr., and Erling Haaland. Christian Pulisic is the only American who makes the list, and he checks in at #95.
How Merseyside became America’s 51st state (The Athletic)
Everton is the latest Merseyside club to be bought by American owners, joining archrivals Liverpool. Other smaller clubs in Merseyside either have some American ownership or are being approached by potential American ownership…this is the start of something in English football.
Enjoy your Monday, everyone.
As an Everton fan, I am relieved that their survival seems much more likely with moneyed and ambitious new ownership, as well as a new stadium it looks like they’ll actually get to play in as a Premier League club. I await being able to watch them do more than draw with great anticipation.
Netflix will work out exactly as much as Netflix cares about the end result. It would be cool if games were on demand to watch whenever fans can get to it, as time zones often make viewing a pain. But… I’m concerned.
I’m assuming the Commanders are the biggest prize that DC could lure in with that real estate, but yes, I would giggle my ass off if Kang somehow pulled off a massive upset. I couldn’t care less about the former racial slurs, though it would be nice to have a place that could eventually host larger scale soccer games with changed turf.
A national soccer stadium is a good thing. NFL can play in that sandbox too.
Maybe get Old Glory DC in there to and bring the area’s pro rugby team into DC!
I’ll finally get to see my first game at Audi Field next season. My fiance wanted to get me tickets for Christmas, so we’ll be going to the game against Colorado in May. I haven’t been to a DC game since 2013, and haven’t even seen the new stadium yet, so super excited to go.
Having you join us is a great Christmas present for us all. Huzzah!
Since Donald raised it — just repeating here that while DCU is precluded by rule from using owners’ money to buy out a 2nd contract for 2025, that doesn’t mean they can’t buy down Klich’s contract with GAM — below the DP threshold — if they find another DP under a rock somewhere, maybe in the summer, when it would require less GAM. I could be wrong about that, but obviously I don’t think I am. I don’t think it’s likely — seems like we’re in the bottom of the league when it comes to ambition — but just noting it as a possibility.
One thing, though, wouldn’t Goff address that if it were a possibility? Maybe not, but it could just be a tough pill.
Still don’t get why DC wouldn’t just keep Klich for this year and pay him for the year… sure they wanted to move on, but he’s a good player, not quite DP level but better than having 1 DP for the year. Not the kind of player you’d want to buy out.
I’ve got to believe that there’s another shoe/ boot to drop that nets us another DP by mid-season.
This is the DC area I’m just assuming that’s not gonna happen because nothing is allowed to make sense around here.
Oh! Michele Kang, Washington Spirit, And Jonatan Guirakdez make great sense. OTOH, DC Power FC …
Goff is a reporter. He provided details about what happened and why. Not speculating about what could happen.
Point taken, I just don’t see any evidence that it’s part of the plan from Mackay.
Anyone else know of instances when a player retired with time on their contract? It feels lame that we’re on the hook (in terms of the team’s budget mechanisms, of course we have to pay) for Birnbaum’s contract this year. It has to be some sort of CBA/league compromise.
I’m really not feeling optimistic about next season when we have these big anchor contracts still weighing down our ability to put a skilled team together. Perhaps it’ll be better merely because we’ll have 18 players suited up more often, but I don’t see any areas being given an obvious, meaningful upgrade so far. LAFC just signed Ebobisse as a backup, as an example of a team that already has talent on the roster and isn’t making enormous cuts.