Bartlett’s United Future, Spirit Marketing Hire, Adams Injured, and More: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Honestly, today I’m just grateful I’ve avoided a cold weather immune system breakdown so far.
On to the news!
Offseason Files: Catching up with defender Lucas Bartlett– DC United
I’m including this link because, in it, Bartlett says he’s excited for a full season under Weiler, who he expresses admiration for. However, it’s hard to tell how fast the DC United media department decided to go from interview to publishing this piece, because:
What I’m Hearing: Colorado keeps retooling, another Liga MX bid and more around MLS – The Athletic
Behind the paywall, something stirs. Namely reporting that Bartlett has asked to speak to the club about his future, as transfer rumors within the league swirl. Personally, I think Bartlett is hardly the issue with United’s defensive solidity- think that has more to do with the tepid threat posed by the offense and the alarming speed with which opponents could bypass the likes of Enow for much of the season- so I think United should give him a decent enough contract, even as they look to the CB position in the window.
Some Spirit news, as Kim Bolt has been named to fill a freshly created role within the FO. For United fans unfamiliar with the concept in regards to a soccer club, Merriam Webster defines Marketing in this context as: The process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service. Anyway, glad we cleared that up.
Moving on to some USMNT related news, as the USWNT is off for a bit, with no major headlines to cover.
United States captain Adams injured against Manchester United– ESPN
In a largely successful attempt to prevent Casemiro from getting an unopposed shot off in Monday’s EPL clash, Tyler Adams made a desperate lunge with his foot in front of the Brazilian’s shooting leg, and had his ankle promptly kicked through in a way that did not look pleasant in slow motion. He was able to limp off on his own power, but an MCL injury is suspected, meaning an unknown period of recovery for the USMNT captain. This does nothing to sooth Poch’s concern that Adams cannot stay healthy and in form for the World Cup. However, it must be said that, after the early injury, the game itself was a high scoring banger, worth checking out the highlights here.
USMNT’s Agyemang scores 2 in Derby County win over Wednesday– ESPN
Good for Patrick, but, basically, Josh Sargent is probably hating his luck on this one- his Championship rival has inarguably been more effective when called on by the national team, so an injury to Pepi, Balogun, or Wright might not actually benefit his standing if Agyemang continues to score.
Ex-USMNT star Michael Bradley named NY Red Bulls coach– ESPN
If you like and admire the former USMNT stalwart, get ready to alter that mindset.
Chelsea are thoroughly pleased by their NWSL purchase. The idea that this is “Worth Every Penny” should sting Berman and the NWSL owners for not making it a tough financial decision and being such an easy larder to raid. Or they would be, if they weren’t so gosh darn cheap.
World Cup 2026 ticket prices blow past original projections as FIFA embraces variable pricing– Business Insider
FIFA feel they’ve been really good this year, what with doing so much for peace and the commissioning of eldritch horror infused trophies to give wannabe dictators, that they thought, hey, why not try some greed for a change?
Gotta love that hubris, I mean, enthusiasm from the co-owner who assures fans that the best version of Miami will be next season. Cuz that’s how a team built on geriatrics always works.
Yes, we’re including this USL2 story due to a fun name, what of it? I’m a big fan of the uniquely bizarre names for regional teams in these divisions, something for the fans to latch onto. Why not?
With the World Cup coming to Kansas City, these fans get to root for their home countries here– NPR in Kansas City
Whatever you think or predict next summer’s tournament will be like, it’s important to remember what global soccer means to a lot of people. This country is a melting pot, but there is immense pride in those identities being able to celebrate their roots in these games, as well. It might not be FIFA’s focus, but this is what it should be about.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
I’m also a fan of unique names for teams. I prefer them to the basic City Name FC or Sporting this region. It should be fun not dour.
Kind of cool to see Lorain with a team. It’s a suburb of Cleveland, and not really a big city at all. But nice to have them embrace that rather than try to appropriate Cleveland into the name.
That badge is phenomenal! As good as any I’ve ever seen.
Currently, Bartlett would seem to be the starter along with Rowles. In fact, the only other center back on the roster is Garrison Tubbs, unless Matti Peltola plays back there. Rene Weiler did seem to prefer Lukas MacNaughton over Bartlett when both were available, so there may be a source of tension there. Center back is also a place to naturally try and upgrade since the defense let in 66 goals last year. That could cost Bartlett his starting role, but a) Rowles is likely to be missing some time for national team duty; b) maybe so will whoever else comes in; and c) does Bartlett really fancy his chances as a starter on some other MLS team?
Despite the league worst defense last year, Bartlett wasn’t really that much of a problem. I think he might have regressed a bit from 2024, but if Christian Benteke didn’t exist, we’d be talking about how dominant in the air Bartlett is. He fits right along Steve Birnbaum and Frederic Brillant in that regard. He’s a solid defender, in the prime of his career, and is American. His salary is kind of high ($450,000) and he’s signed through 2027 with an option for 2028, so if he does slip a bit more, he could become an albatross.
Bartlett wouldn’t be one of the players that I’d be looking to move, but it appears that this is something the player is pushing (and why DC is a place that players want to get away from is VERY worrying). It’s hard to really make a strong case to hang on to any player from a Wooden Spoon team, so if DC can move him for a decent transfer, then you have to say thanks and good-bye. Sogut continues to have his work cut out for him.
I think a lot of our defensive woes last season actually stemmed from our fullbacks/wingbacks having to play more as wingers for large stretches of the season. If we have better/more consistent wingers, Herrera and Schnegg can focus more on defending (while still helping in the attack when needed), which leads to Bartlett and Rowles not being left to defend entirely by themselves, which means we get beat less often defensively. They’re not perfect, sure, but I think the defense as a whole does better when we’re not asking them to be full-time attackers and full-time defenders at the same time.
I agree that our midfield was the biggest weakness on the team last year. The source of our problems on offense and defense. And by not being able to possess the ball better or create more threatening offensive moves, it allowed opponents to have more offensive opportunities, putting our defense (which was also not that great) under more stress, which would often cause it to break.
I agree with this and always thought the coach did not adjust his system to his opponents or his players. The opposition always knew what to expect from the attack (Benteke) and defense (high press).
If there are multiple clubs interested in Bartlett, then he is worth more than his current contract. They would have to make an offer higher to get Bartlett from DCU. I hope this doesn’t end up like the Acosta situation years ago.
I mentioned yesterday that there being multiple teams interested in him is one of the few positives I can take from the news. He’ll look good when he’s not in a defensive hellhole like we were before Weiler arrived.
The team actually exercising Tubb’s option was a surprise but now looks like a key move…I always thought he looked up to the task individually. Certainly better recovery speed than the rest of the central defenders.
I’m personally skeptical of Tubbs. I don’t think he’s necessarily dumb, but being a CB is so much about positioning and being far superior to dynamic attackers between the ears to negate their strengths.
I’ve never watched him and thought, good anticipation by Tubbs. Don’t think he’s MLS CB grade at this stage of the league.
Is it one month to the start of training camp? Waiting to see who else DCU is targeting.
Addition by subtraction is only good at tax time.
I smell a dumpster fire. I hope I am proven wrong.
Genuinely baffled that the owners don’t even seem to be able to pretend that the org is busy this offseason.
They did a mini-media blitz to reassure fans and say mealy mouthed things about their own responsibility, but they think fans aren’t paying attention to and waiting for legit new stories?
Fans are basically like share holders who need positive updates to stay committed, how do fucking business people not know that?
Your remarks about the Spirit’s Kim Bolt’s hire resonate. DCU is by comparison an amateur organization. Wooden spoons = relegation everywhere else in the world. It’s really quite sad.
Ask Swansea……
I do understand that contract negotiations can go bad at any time so they would not want to announce until only formalities remain, but I am really wondering if they will make good choices.
Some MLS moves around the league were just announced:
Jon Bell signs with Austin, so that’s another CB off the FA market
Peter Stroud (Jared’s brother) moves from NYRB to Minnesota
Bogert reporting that the Baribo to DC deal is now done. Cash transfer, as reported before, around $4M, will be a DP.
I talked about it a bunch, but I think it’s a good signing. I sort of view it like Mateusz Klich. Someone that will be really good for us, but would be a lot more exciting if they were a TAM player. If we’re able to sign two other DPs, including at least one who’s really high level, this is going to look even better.
Everything I’ve seen and heard about Baribo is that if he gets service, he’s a killer. So we need to be adding players who will give him service, especially since I don’t think we’re going to be playing a lot of high press based on what Weiler showed last year (which may not mean anything).
Also, I hope Christian signs with a team outside of MLS. It will hurt immensely to see him return to DC 1-2x a year and inflict pain on us. I wish him only the best–a total class act.