Recollecting the Spirit Final, DC United Hone in on DP Target, Drew Skundrich Retires, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Hello, all! I’m officially on a new soapbox, and we need to talk about one of the most pressing issues facing commuters in this vast and expansive country of ours: We don’t have enough damn rest stops. Case in point, leaving Baltimore around 2 PM yesterday, I felt the need about half an hour after I started driving to find a place to take a 10 to 12 minute nap to make sure my driving was safe, and was therefore looking for a gas station or a restaurant with a restroom for the process. I took an exit, assuming that, if I followed my gut, I’d eventually find something. I legitimately didn’t find the right place till I found myself in College Park half an hour later. I live in Alexandria. It’s time our elected leaders acknowledged that desolate or corporate regions off the highway need damn rest stops.
Anyway, on to the news!
Y’all, pretty excited about this collab, and very grateful to the writers who submitted for it. Read on for a glimpse into the experience of watching a historic, yet painful moment for local soccer that we’ll be thinking about for some time.
Alright, you cretins, I know you all very much have not kicked the horse of jonesing for DC United as an organization to provide you with transfer news, if not hope. Here’s Donald’s reporting on how a 23 year old Romanian is being pursued as a DP.
There continues to be much speculation surrounding Trinity Rodman’s future club status, including in Trin’s own mind. Meanwhile, Annie Elliott’s heart and nerves could use a break.
Trinity Rodman’s free agency pits Washington Spirit against team’s landlord– Washington Business Journal
This is a dynamic I’m quite curious about. Levien’s move to sign Rodman to his barely registering USL club puts him at odds with Michelle Kang, who has a strong relationship with Trinity Rodman, but also plays in the DC Power owner’s stadium. This is behind a paywall.
Potential USMNT 2026 World Cup Group Would Destroy Confidence– SI.com
The ceremony known as The World Cup Draw has yet to take place (at the Kennedy Center, Buddha preserve our souls). The USMNT as hosts will be in Pot 1, which traditionally houses the strongest programs in the world, which means that mechanically they avoid the most dangerous opponents before the knockouts. Sports Illustrated points out that the US could still face nightmare scenarios, regardless of that advantage.
USMNT gets better idea of who it could draw in 2026 World Cup– Stars and Stripes FC
Who has a more thorough breakdown of how this might shake out? Donald has a more thorough breakdown of how this might shake out.
Emma Hayes says opportunities for USWNT players to play in Europe should be ‘celebrated’– The Athletic
USWNT coach Emma Hayes expresses some views that not now, Emma, we need Trin to stay, dammit.
USWNT Coach Emma Hayes organizes surprise hero’s welcome for Gotham players– NWSL
This includes a video where a group that includes Naomi Girma cheer wildly as Gotham’s championship winning players round a corner with their luggage. Et tu, Naomi?
FIFA alters World Cup draw format so top sides won’t meet early– ESPN
This is a rare FIFA decision that I agree with. But then, this is the first FIFA decision in a while I don’t find myself physically repulsed by.
Speaking of which…
Cristiano Ronaldo set to avoid ban at World Cup after FIFA red-card verdict offers probation– Associated Press
Probation. As in, if the lucrative star FIFA refuses to go without for even a moment of the 2026 World Cup better not do anything again, or FIFA will, JK, they’re beyond consequences for shameful behavior.
Loudoun United’s Drew Skundrich retires from professional soccer– DC News Now
This coincides with Andi Sullivan recently giving birth to the couple’s first child, Millie, back in July. We wish the Loudoun stalwart and former DC United utility player the best of luck as he pursues his next phase, both professionally and in private life.
Why women’s soccer is so important to queer people– CNN
I’m gonna be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of the journalistic framing, but it is progress that such a large corporate news outlet is willing to talk about the incredibly strong and deep connection the LGBTQ+ community has found with professional women’s soccer. This centers on a supporters organization in England, but anyone familiar with the phenomenon known as Rowdy Audi can attest to the joyous and defiant vibe queer supporters bring, and the community it fosters.
MLS Cup conference semis talking points: All roads lead to Miami– ESPN
Reminder that the MLS playoffs still exist, regardless of Levien and Kaplan’s insistence that it might be a dream we all had.
Estevao Joins Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe With Incredible Champions League Milestone– Sports Illustrated
The playing schedule for professional players, particularly in Europe, is becoming untenably brutal. Thankfully, there are young stars constantly emerging who have the legs, and the 18 year old Chelsea forward, Estevao, is a welcome addition to the pantheon.
Finally, in news relevant to all DC residents, it looks like the person who in the end was not supporting anybody has bowed out because those people returned the favor. Bowser was a part of the development negotiations surrounding Buzzard Point during her tenure.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
While we wait for DC’s end of season roster decisions, which have to be made (though not announced) by today, Goff dropped some info on the process last night. He is expecting the team to decline Benteke’s option, but they are apparently trying to negotiate a new, non-DP contract with him. Without looking up the exact numbers, I believe he made around $4.5M this year, so a TAM-level deal would reduce him closer to $1M (I think its roughly $1.25M). That’s a big cut, but Goff seems to think its at least possible, though I guess we’ll see if it actually happens.
With that decision, and the $7M+ that is being discussed in Romania, that seems to at least indicate that the team is trying to shake things up. I don’t think they try to reduce Benteke to below DP levels unless they’re trying to use those DP spots on someone else.
Personally I think Benteke moves on. He’s clearly talented and has proven himself in MLS, which is always a crapshoot with international signings (ahem, Munteanu). He also seems to care about the team and likes the DC area (despite living in Dubai and not having gotten a green card although he’s played here since 2022.
Anyway, having someone like Benteke on the roster isn’t a bad thing. If they do manage to renegotiate his contract, I’d imagine he’d be here for two or three more years, though. He was more susceptible to injuries this year, and that’s probably not going to get better in the future. Plus he plays very much as the focal point of the offense. Do we want to spend $7 million on a new center forward and then play him wider (although to be fair the scouting says he can play wide)? As good as Benteke is, a remaking of the team makes more sense to me than trying to renegotiate his deal.
DC announces roster decisions:
Contract Options Exercised for 2026 (6)
Conner Antley, Caden Clark, Jackson Hopkins, Hosei Kijima, Gabriel Pirani, Garrison Tubbs
Contract Options Declined for 2026 (5)
Christian Benteke, Derek Dodson, Kristian Fletcher, Randall Leal, Rida Zouhir
MLS Free Agents (3)
Luis Barraza, Christian Benteke, Lukas MacNaughton
The team is actively negotiating with both Benteke and Fletcher.
I think Fletcher is really the only surprising one here to me. Would have figured he was an easy pick-up, but maybe there’s some other kind of plan there. Figured Dodson would come back too since he was cheap reliable depth. This leaves the team with 22 players currently under contract (Benteke and Fletcher, if returning, would be 24):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Jordan Farr, Kim Joon Hong
DEFENDERS (5): Lucas Bartlett, Aaron Herrera, Kye Rowles, David Schnegg, Garrison Tubbs
MIDFIELDERS (10): Oscar Avilez, Caden Clark, Boris Enow, Jackson Hopkins, Hosei Kijima, Matti Peltola, Gabriel Pirani, Brandon Servania, Jared Stroud, Gavin Turner
FORWARDS (4): Dominique Badji, Hakim Karamoko, Jacob Murrell, João Peglow
Took long enough…the negotiations probably held up the release of the list, but I don’t know if keeping quiet really mattered.
All sensible decisions in my eyes. Benteke can’t be the star of the show for much longer even though he is absolutely a solid contributor. I can’t imagine Fletcher getting much better offers than whatever we show up with honestly… presumably the team still thinks he can grow with us and they can actually sell him once he’s healthy. He might prefer to play anywhere else. All the other free agents and declined options are not huge loses. I’m sure McNaughton will land somewhere and immediately look steady, and Leal may end up scoring against us if he stays in MLS (I can’t remember if he’s said he’s leaving the US or not). Best of luck to Barraza getting healthy and latching on somewhere with a better defensive culture. The one surprise I have is that we’re bringing back Tubbs, given he was sent away while Weiler experimented with the back line. I’m still somewhat optimistic about him – he looked like a much more agile player than our other CBs in the limited minutes I saw from him.
Definitely still expecting movement, because there’s quite a bit of dead weight under contract.
My only thought with Fletcher is if they want to try to sing him to a longer contract than just picking up a 1 year option to try to solidify him for a while. But I could be totally off on that.
As for Tubbs, I also think he could still become good, and with him technically counting as a homegrown, he’s cheap and essentially hits the cap with a $0 price tag, so he’s good for that.
Drew Skundrich has his first job after retiring — he’s now a performance coach for Loudoun
They’re not making *all* the wrong decisions after all. Super happy for him, Andi and their kid.
Loudoun announced their roster decisions today as well. After declining options and having others expire, they are left with 8 total players on the team.
Wow, a real tear-down by new ownership!
I’d be pleasantly surprised if they’re competitive again next year…even though I’m not sure they would’ve reached the same highs next year without changes. Since jettisoning all of their good professional people, all signs point to the owners being ok with struggling while they figure out how to do it their way, whatever that may be.
Doyle dropped some thoughts about upcoming free agents/re-entry draft prospects in the link below. In his footnote, he has this to say about DCU pursuing Munteanu:
“Less understandable: they are linked to a Romanian No. 9 who has 1g in 11 games this year, and whose 2024-25 golden boot season was the product of outlier, unsustainably hot finishing. Hence the regression.
They’re said to have offered $7m already! His team apparently wants $18m!! What the fuck!!! Do not do this!!!!”
I have little reason to question his opinions after correctly dismissing our prospects at the beginning of this year.
https://tacticsfreezone.substack.com/p/mls-roster-deadline-day-nine-out