Trinity’s FC 26 Ranking, Loudoun Wins and Bolsters Defense, Pulisic on USMNT Drama, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. I’m glad to be back after being out of town for a bit. Big thanks to Talonesque for covering for me last week while I was out of town.
Back From Injury Nightmare, Trinity Rodman Is Poised for Another NWSL Title Push (SI)
Rodman discusses her recovery, that first goal, and the title game against Orlando last year. It always amuses me when athletes grouse a little bit about their ranking in a video game. However, the fact that Rodman thinks they scored her defensive ability too low shows what an absolute competitor she is.
Loudoun United Football Club signs defender Boluwatife Akinyode (Loudoun United)
Loudoun adds to its defensive corps by adding Akinyode from the other Miami (Miami FC) through 2026 with option for 2027.
Takeaways from Loudoun’s 2-1 win at El Paso (DP)
Our own Ryan Keefer takes a look at Loudoun’s most recent victory, which featured a goal from DC United alumnus Drew Skundrich.
Competition Creates Uncertainty In Women’s Pro Leagues (Forbes)
I don’t think I agree with this article’s central thesis, particularly as it relates to NWSL. This part struck me as a potentially flawed “However, in the world of sports, history suggests that interleague competition is destabilizing. Time will whether these various women’s sports leagues can avoid the fate of their men’s league equivalents.” The premise ignores the fact MLS and USL continue to coexsist, if not always amicably and American fans are used to multiple levels of soccer due to the existence of soccer pyramids in other countries.
Pulisic on Pochettino relationship: Not as much drama as you think (Pro Soccer Wire)
My hope for the next international window is that the USMNT comes, performs well, avoids drama and generally turns down the temperature. They haven’t won enough to have this much drama.
2026 FIFA World Cup ticket lottery opens, plagued by long waits and frustrated fans (The Athletic $)
The first day of the World Cup ticket lottery went as well as you’d expect. Buried in the article, FIFA is planning on launching its own ticket resale platform this fall in order to get in on the resale commission and fee game. FIFA embracing everything fans “love” about Ticketmaster and Stubhub is a perfect way to improve fans opinion of the organization………
Sources: Cristiano Ronaldo may make U.S. return in friendly (ESPN)
Speaking of potential ticket shenanigans, I can only imagine how much US Soccer might try to charge for tickets to this game.
And finally,
FBREF 2024 most viewed soccer teams in each US state (Reddit)
This fascinates the map nerd in me. In addition to the Spirit representing the District and a variety of domestic teams representing their home states, there are some oddities in the data. Colorado’s interest in Crystal Palace and New Hampshire going for the Union are surprises.
Have a great week.
If all I ever heard from Trinity in the media was the stuff about video game scores and the like, then I would roll my eyes (that’s true of some players, only reach out or become accessible to the media for grousing and narrative control). But Trin is very out there and refreshingly honest with her takes and input. She also celebrates her fans in interesting and sometimes quite direct ways.
I wouldn’t want to be a superstar athlete in the zeitgeist as far as how the media drills into you, but she seems very adept and comfortable with it. Bless.
Trinity Rodman is a BEAST defensively. I think, out of all the attacking talent on the USWNT, she’s the most complete player in terms of her all-around game.
It’s like she’s a full Mbappe without the Mbappe. Mbappe sometimes underperforms because he’s moody and over concerned with his personal offensive output, to the point that he’ll never track back or press because it takes away from his own efforts. Thus, the team does worse, and he gets fewer stats.
Enter Trinity. She’s completely secure in her talents, always a part of the unit, and you see her creating chances for others, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her steal an opportunity that would be more available to someone else. Will hound fullbacks and wingers she deems a threat to her own half. Her goals and assist could likely be way higher if she wasn’t so dedicated to being part of the offensive soup, and if she insisted on staying in positions that benefit her own game. With her, the vital stats are excellent, but the eye test for her abilities and ethic are “hachi machi” levels of amazing. Love me some Trin.
I don’t follow EPL/European soccer super closely, but I had no idea Arsenal was that popular. I figured it would have been Man City or Liverpool based on recent success. I can’t say I’ve even seen anyone wearing an Arsenal jersey or anything since I was probably in college 10-15 years ago.
Given the data is from 2024, I assumed Arsenal was so high on the list because they were challenging Man City for the Premier League title at the end of the 23/24 season.
Does anyone else miss turning comments and replies green when they hit at least 3 thumbs up/recs?
DCU Trade Alert:
DC has received $100k in 2025 GAM from LAFC in exchange for a 2025 International Roster Spot
Oh joy…
I like that we freed up two international slots (Schnegg and MacNaughton got green cards), and then used that to… trade them away. I think GAM can roll over now though, so reloading a depleted coffer by trading away “assets” you weren’t going to use (such as the discovery rights for that striker that RSL signed) is fine business. It’s just super uninspiring to stand pat on a roster that needs so much work. Hi Caden Clark, I guess.
So we’re outside the transfer window. The only players that can be added now would be free agents. I guess LAFC is about to sign somebody? Or have they been noncompliant with their roster? Or maybe somebody is about to come off the injured list?
In any case, there is no real prospect of DC being able to bring in school any international players now. Maybe LAFC can but we can’t.
I wish they had used the slots, but they’re useless now. So getting some gam is free money.
FWIW, I was in Hollywood for a documentary premier at the silicon Film Festival last weekend. “Make it to Munich” (google the trailor, 2 minutes)
Old teammates from Scotland joined at the Chinese Theater and it was a blast. Kilts abounded. Also, the super-fun Ryan Porteus (former Hibernians) is now featuring for LAFC. He loves working with Steve Cherundolo. Over beers, he feels (kindly) for the plight of the DCU fan.