Champions League chaos, DC United back in US Open Cup, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday, y’all. There was a ton of soccer news from the past couple of days, but we of course wake up this morning dealing with the aftermath of the tragic airplane-helicopter collision that occurred last night. Hoping beyond hope they were able to get survivors out of the water, and our heart breaks for the families of the passengers and crew onboard both the plane and the helicopter.
Man City through while Inter, Atleti, Leverkusen, Villa make top eight (UEFA)
It was truly Matchday Mayhem on the final day of the Champions League league phase. Manchester City barely got through to the knockout stage.
North American cups: Where MLS teams will compete in 2025, qualification criteria (MLS)
DC United will be back in the US Open Cup in 2025. But that will be the only cup competition they will be a part of, as new qualification criteria means they thankfully won’t have to participate in Leagues Cup.
USA Soccercast, Episode 149: Analyzing MLS participation in cup competitions (SSFC)
Get my takes on how MLS has “divided up” the teams among the various cup competitions and how I think Leagues Cup could be much improved by making it more like the ACC-Big 10 Challenge format and reducing the number of Concacaf Champions League slots it gets.
What are Barca doing? They may not have a spot for their home El Clasico match in May cuz of The Rolling Stones.
Major League Soccer Returns to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV for Historic 30th Season (MLS)
MLS and Apple TV announced some things regarding their coverage yesterday, including T-Mobile customers once again getting MLS Season Pass for free.
Kickers unveil new crest, refreshed brand identity (Richmond Kickers)
The Kickers get a new crest. What do we think?
Billionaire Who Chaired NASL Admits He Used Burner Account to Attack MLS, U.S. Soccer (FOS)
This story is wild…fully wild.
Welcome back to the DMV Moses Nyeman!! He returns to Loudoun United on a 1 year deal with an option for a second.
USA Soccercast, Episode 148: A fun January Camp and Naomi Girma makes world history (SSFC)
Catch up with my pod where I discuss the USMNT’s fun January Camp as well as Naomi Girma moving to Chelsea in a world record transfer!
More signings could be coming to Washington Spirit, plus injury updates and preseason vibes (DP)
Annie gives us the breakdown of what could be coming for the Washington Spirit as preseason begins for them.
Jorian Baucom departs DC Power FC for Fort Lauderdale United (DP)
DC Power moves the club’s first ever signing to Fort Lauderdale in what is being described by the other side as a trade. Unclear what the terms are behind the deal or if there were any funds exchanged. Baucom scored the club’s first ever goal in the fall portion of this inaugural season.
USWNT and NWSL Star Trinity Rodman Sets Her Sights on 2025 (JWS)
Trinity Rodman talks about her goals for club and country this year.
Columbus Crew 2 name Federico Higuaín as Head Coach (Crew)
Shouts to Federico Higuain as he becomes the head coach for Crew 2.
Tanner Tessmann named Young Male Player of the Year (SSFC)
Tanner Tessmann gets the U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year award after a great year for Venezia/Lyon and the USMNT/Olympic team.
District Press teams with Stimulus Athletic for new DC-themed apparel (DP)
All the soccer in DC is coming soon, and our Stimulus store is still around for you to get stocked for the new season! Ordering over the next couple of weeks will likely have you looking fresh around the start of the Spirit’s season…and of course, cherry blossom season!
Enjoy the day, y’all.
T-16 days (exclusive of today) until the first game of the 2025 MLR season for Old Glory DC on Feb 15 with a trip to Florida to take on the Miami Sharks at DRV PNK Stadium (home of Inter Miami).
Some big names not returning for the 2025 season:
https://gloriousrugby.com/article/old-glory-players-not-returning-for-2025
Excellent news re: MLS Season Pass! Definitely good to save money but still be able to watch my team flounder ?or succeed?), or just watch the top teams…
I do think we’re safe from the wooden spoon this year. Even if we end up closer to it, it looks like Vancouver has the inside track.
Who do you think DC will be better than in the East?
I would say they’ve got a good shot at being better than Montreal, Nashville, and Toronto. Maybe Chicago.
While Im sure DC will still lose by a combined 10 goals to them, I think Philly has gotten decidedly worse this offseason. We should finish higher than them in the standings
This football season I learnt that one ever knows how things will turn out. My football team was expected to win no more than 8 games at most and ended up playing the NFC finals with a mid-roster. Granted DCU doesn’t have a Jayden but one never knows. I would say that we should just try to enjoy the season and use it as a distraction because I think we will need it.
But speaking of being good, Atlanta looks scary.
Now that Chicago has a real coach, I’m not really sure, though they are definitely in the very murky “could make the playoffs comfortably or miss out on the last day”, possibly with us. I just think we’re as likely to finish 2nd from the bottom.