Sogut Reportedly In, NWSL MVP Watch, Stadium Redevelopment, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
The end of the US Open Cup semifinal was wild. Austin knocked Minnesota off at the death. In talking with my friends here in the Twin Cities, that was the most Minnesota result possible. Its possibly a small sample size, but many of them go into a game like this expect to have hope and for their team to find some odd, unexpected way of dashing that hope. I feel for them today. It was a busy day, so lets get on to the news.
Dr. Erkut Sogut wird General Manager bei DC United in der MLS (Sky Sports.de)
For those who don’t feel like firing up your preferred translation service, Sky Sports out of Germany is reporting that Sogut will succeed Makay as DCU’s general manager. The article suggests he is well connected within US Soccer. I’m not sure I’ve seen that mentioned in other articles over the last two days.
Hey Spirits episode: TikToks, Biscuit(s), and Bathroom Doors with Sandy MacIver (DP)
If you haven’t listened yet, there’s a bonus episode of Hey Spirits featuring goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. Go listen!
MVP Tracker 4.0: Ranking the best players in the NWSL (ESPN)
ESPN recognizes what a force Tara McKeown has been as she places among the league’s best in blocks, interceptions, clearances, and tackle percentage.
NWSL announces combines for college-age and youth players (Pro Soccer Wire)
After eliminating the draft in the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, NWSL will hold combines youth and adult combines to help teams identify and bring in new talent. This could potentially be a great development for players from non-traditional college soccer powers who many not have been scouted previously.
This years US Open Cup Final is set and Austin will host Nashville. Austin knocked off Minnesota when CJ Fodrey scored in the 120 minute, just seconds before the game would have gone to a shootout. Heart breaking for the loons.
Everyone’s favorite raccoons are getting a new home and some new roommates.
I will admit, it never occurred to me that Name Image and Likeness (NIL) might impact the future of the USMNT. An older article from Yahoo looking at the 2022 WC team found that 8 of the 26 rostered players (~31%) came through the college system. Given the variety of ways players reach the USMNT, I’m not entirely sure NIL will be that impactful.
Sources: Lionel Messi nears multiyear extension with Inter Miami (ESPN)
With Messi signing a multi-year deal, odds are he will finally appear on the pitch at Audi Field.
In addition to drama on the field, the Premier League always provides interesting legal drama as well.
Slot gets late birthday gift as Isak samples power of Anfield (BBC Sports)
Once again Liverpool leaves it to the end to secure a result. They can’t keep this up right?
I’ll end with some United and Spirit members out and about.
United will host a watch party of this weekend’s match against Miami at Ireland’s Four Courts in Arlington. Matti Peltola and Lukas MacNaughton, sitting out for yellow card accumulation and a red card respectively, will be in attendance.
Finally, Ashley Hatch crossed S Capitol Street to throw out the first pitch at yesterday’s Nationals game.
Until next time.
Glad to see MacKeown getting some well-deserved attention.
To be probably the USWNT’s second choice central defender in her second season is awesome
Maybe Messi’s new contract will have a stipulation that he only plays in Miami /s (sorta)
Probably something like “You don’t have to play in DC and Seattle, but you MUST go to Harrison.”
I was really hoping he’d be done after the World Cup, or maybe the end of 2026. Disappointed to know we’re gonna have to hear about him for at least two more years now
No way MLS let’s Miami’s and therefore the league’s cash cow in Messi leave that easily or quickly. More special rules for Inter Messi FC coming probably.
Oh I knew they’d do everything they could to keep him here through the world cup. That was expected. I’m just disappointed to know he’ll be around for at least a whole extra year beyond that
NYCFC will begin playing in Etihad park in 2027. MLS would definitely want Messi coming to play there, and he might also be into it. Plus, I’d bet that MLS decides to announce an expansion during the World Cup, to start in ’27 or ’28.
All of which to say, I’d bet there’s a side deal with MLS itself (so that each team is actually helping ot pay Messi).
Messi adores playing, he’s going to continue until his body tells him no. And he’s still really good at it. But he’s not oblivious to the fact that he may soon not be able to. Said as much in Argentina when they pressed him about playing in the next world cup. He couldn’t commit because he didn’t know if his body could make till next year. I have nothing against Messi. I get tired about the non stop hype people create around him, but nothing against him. He can play as long as he feels like he cannot play anymore. For someone like him, the day it all ends is likely to be devastating. Because with him, it isn’t about chasing numbers or records, it is just that he still loves playing and he probably doesn’t know how to do anything else.
I don’t have anything against him, it’s just the League has focused so much on him that MLS basically stands for Messi League Soccer. The constant focus on him the, bending the rules, it just sucks the oxygen out of the conversation and leaves so little room for anything else.
Nothing new though. It used to be all about Beckham. Older fans may remember. The Galaxy were the darlings for over a decade. In the future, when Messi is gone, it is likely to be Mbappe all-of-the-time or someone new.
Messi’s almost old news in MLS now. Son Hueng-Min is the new big attraction.
I don’t believe NIL will have much impact on the USMNT. For starters, while athleticism matters, it’s not the decider between good teams and bad teams. I still recall Osorio with the Red Bulls trying to build a track team–getting the fastest players he could get in MLS–and they stunk. For another, “Genius” research that has been done shows that even for elite athletes, athletic talent has much less impact then things like: honing your skills, dedicated practice. For the longest time, people in the US would say “just imagine if the Kobe Bryants of the future all played soccer!!!” Small countries (that have a smaller base of athletic talent–like Belgium and the Netherlands) have had world class teams. Big names with huge populations and a lot of people who are great athletes (like China and India) haven’t produced great national teams in this sport.