Baribo Arrives, Coachella Schedule, Trin Updates, New Divisons, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve reached the point in the season where with all the baked goods everyone is bringing to work my blood type now comes back as liquefied Domino sugar. Oh, to be young again and have sugar not impact me as much. But that’s enough of that. There was a ton of news so lets get to it.
DC United signs Tai Baribo to Designated Player deal (DP)
After a number of departures, United announced its first arrival of the year. Donald breaks down the terms of the deal and Baribo’s introductory press conference.
Baribo’s arrival wasn’t the only D.C. United news today.
DCU was one of two teams to make a move in the Re-Entry draft. Given all the local ties and the fact Segal played for Ben Olsen, I kind of hope both sides are able to come to terms on a deal.
Today may bring more roster news for DCU.
We now know when the Black and Red will take the stage at Coachella this preseason. They will face the Timbers on February 7th and Minnesota on February 11th.
Major League Soccer Announces Eligible Player List for 2026 MLS SuperDraft (MLS)
The SuperDraft snuck up on me. I wasn’t tracking until yesterday the draft is today at 2 PM and DCU has the first pick. Will they use the pick or trade for more Garber bucks? If they choose to draft, who will they take?
Sources: MLS divisional revamp may split old rivalries, blend conferences (The Athletic $)
While the proposed new division’s make sense geographically, I’m a little sad to see DCU separated from RBNY, Philly, and New England. I may be a bit sentimental, but there is something to be said for embracing and promoting the history of the some of these rivals.
Hey Spirits episode: The NWSL/Trinity Rodman contract saga (DP)
The Hey Spirits crew is back with a new podcast diving into the ongoing NWSL/Trinity Rodman contract battle. If you haven’t listened yet, cue it up for when you finish reading today’s Freedom Kicks.
The NWSLPA’s grievance was announced almost immediately after the news broke of Commissioner Berman’s veto of Rodman’s deal. Then it got lost in the noise of the “spirit of the league” discussion and the introduction of the High Impact Player concept. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for the league to respond.
The World’s Most Valuable Women’s Sports Teams 2025 (Forbes)
Two local teams made the list. The Spirit show up at #20, while the Mystics are on the list at #15. Interestingly, over half the list (13 of 25) are soccer teams. Eight of those teams play in NWSL. The fact that the league has eight of the top 25 most valuable women’s franchises in all sports in the world, yet doesn’t think it can justify paying Trin is giving me a migraine.
Women’s Club World Cup: dates confirmed for January 2028 (All for XI)
The 2028 women’s soccer calendar is going to be absolutely packed. FIFA announced that the first ever Women’s World Cup will happen just a little over two years from now in January 2028. That is also an Olympic year so fixture congestion is going to be an issue. For the Spirit, they potentially can still qualify through the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
In the UEFA Women’s Champion’s League OL was up a player for most of the Match against Athletico Madrid and ended up knocking them off 4-0. OL secured a direct to the quarterfinal berth alongside Barcelona, Chelsea, and Bayern München. Despite the loss, Athletico Madrid grab one of the last two knockout round spots alongside OH Leuven.
World Cup 2026 prize money: Winner to receive $50 million (Pro Soccer Wire)
A larger tournament means a larger prize purse for participants. The winner will receive $12 million more than France did for winning in Qatar.
It seems like this is the week for good news for alumni of the DMV soccer community, We’ll end by adding one more to the list.
What did I miss?
Given that the ceiling for a Designated Player is only limited by the resources you can provide a player and the player’s willingness to play in your city… think this is a bad start.
We’ve expended some real resources to get him, and we won’t have those elsewhere. Maybe he’s too good for a TAM player, but I don’t think even that is a certainty. We’re making a poacher who wasn’t even a league DP before the focal point of our attack. Unless DC United’s owners are able to expend equal resources twice towards greater talents to provide a ton more creativity and chance generation for him, a poacher of any talent level won’t help us be competitive to the extent we need. And I question whether he’s of a sufficient level to begin with.
The owners didn’t just pay for a vital piece to a revitalization, they overpaid for a TAM player so that they could plug it into a vacuous offseason news cycle. They’re just hoping we expect the next thing. By the time they realize that this alone isn’t enough for fans, the transfer window will be practically dead.
Sell. The. Fucking. Team.
I could argue Benteke was a poacher, too and he could have used better service. Baribo is younger and will cost less per year.
Benteke was a target man and the greatest aerial battler for long balls this league has ever seen.
Reject this framing.
Also, the idea that we should celebrate the owners saving some money on salary for a designated player, whose greatest benefit is that there is no limit… I need fans to stop doing this like it’s their money.
I don’t think Baribo is a bad signing. Is the contract a good one? I am not sure. It is a long term DP contract so the front office apparently wanted to lock him in. Was this the Benteke replacement? I think this would be better if Benteke was still here. More than one scoring threat is what the team needed. And I agree that DCU needs to spend money on improving the roster on many positions and not just look at DP’s.
This seems like another classic DCU mistake. To much money for too little talent. I hope I am proven wrong.
While I certainly wish they could have started with a higher-profile or more prolific signing for a DP, I think from what’s been reported about this, Baribo was going to want a DP contract from Philly had he stayed with them. So he was TAM when we got him, yes, but he very well could have been a DP for them had he re-signed for them in 2026. I don’t think this signing specifically is bad. It could very well work out, but he does need help, and I hope they put in the work to make that happen. He’s at least someone that is used to the league, so the adjustment period should be shorter than bringing in a European or South American. I know people have been clamoring for a sale of the team, but I don’t think this move is really that egregious to warrant it on its own. We’re in a position that we’re going to have to over-pay for players, regardless of who they are or where they come from, if we want to even try to get better. If the owners are willing to make those over-payments (which, based on this move, at least seems like they are), then that’s really the only way we’re going to be able to get better players.
“Warrant it on its own…”
You think this is my sole issue with the owners? Ok, it’s not, they’ve hollowed out this club and are only around because they’re too greedy to sell the club as a real estate package for anything less than an eye watering amount. Let’s move on from that idea.
My point is that, if there’s any doubt he’s not a difference making star, it’s a bad idea.
If he this signing was made in conjunction with some other moves clearly designed to create a competitive team, yeah.
We got someone who was previously a TAM player, and I’ve done a thorough internet search every week for months. This is the only move thus far. There’s nothing else reportedly in the works.
The new season will get here, and it will just be Peglow and Herrera trying to get this guy the ball.
Oh I know there’s more to it than just this move. I guess I just don’t see this move as a knock against the ownership, really. Not saying its a great move or anything, but there have certainly been worse ones. They still need to do more, 100%. Baribo alone won’t be enough. That being said, there hasn’t really been a ton of movement within the league yet (Seattle being the exception), so I would expect things to pick up in January. We didn’t even know about this move until a few days before it actually got finalized (even though it was maybe in the works from this summer???), so things can pop up quickly. Though I do share in your sentiment that I just wish there was more rumors or SOMETHING at this point.
Darth Garber has moved Baribo to Miami on a DP exemption clause. DCU will pick up the tab…..
This killing off of long time rivalries by division separation is what I’m calling MLS’s “diehard diuretic.” Also could be referred to as a “passion purge.”
They just want casual fans, ones with opinions and long standing connection to clubs, they’re too demanding. Why not make sure there’s enough room in the stadium for parents who can’t explain offside to their kiddos who are just looking for a fun weekend outing. Or that couple where one of them leaves every five minutes to go get more refreshments, cuz the game being played is secondary. Maybe it’s a good networking opportunity for business professionals, who are even less interested in soccer.
And yeah, Garber, those people love to show up in the dead of winter.
Fuck off.
This is why I have become so cynical.
Bogert reported last night that Dayne St Clair looks to be headed to Miami. It was a long shot that he would come here, but sad to see him off the FA board (and going to Miami of all places) while we still need a good goalie.
I think DCU really needs a starting goalie. I don’t think they have one on the roster now. Last year they got rid of all three goalies. It would be good if they found one of the better ones in free agency. Hoping to see a goalie and attacking mid in time for training camp.
Yeah, that’s sad news that a) we’re not getting him; b) he’s leaving Minnesota (I like when stars stay with their teams); and c) he’s going to Miami of all places, who can somehow squeeze him in, wink wink.
It’s also leaving the once-formidable list of available MLS goalies looking a little more threadbare. Maxime Crepeau is probably now top of my list, but he’s slipped a step and has also been linked pretty closely with Toronto. I’d rather not go for Sean Johnson or Pedro Gallese, but I guess they’d do in a pinch (Johnson > Gallese). I do wonder if Rocco Rios Novo can be had. He just won an MLS Cup and would presumably be relegated to backup to St. Clair. Offer Miami some allocation money for him to help offset the St. Clair salary and bring him in.
Otherwise, we’re probably looking at an international keeper. Sometimes that works out, but it really hasn’t ever done so at DC (2008 Open Cup champion Louis Crayton notwithstanding).
FWIW, Rios-Novo was seemingly available in the Re-Entry draft. He was on the list as available, at least, with the note that his option had been declined by Miami. Looking into it more, it seems as though he was actually on loan with Miami, and they were looking into re-negotiating his contract. So getting him would probably require us to negotiate with Lanus instead of Miami, so GAM is probably not an option (other than sending Miami GAM for his rights)
Good to know. Either way, I’d probably have him on top of my wish list now that Coronel and St. Clair are taken.
I was pretty impressed with Rios Novo.Maybe I didn’t see enough of him, but I thought this could a real find for USMNT if he makes the switch.
I don’t really get the Gabe Segal signing. I like plucky local guys as much as the next person, but with Baribo signed, we’re up to 23 players, and we’ll presumably get to 24 with our draft pick today. Segal brings us up to 25 without really bringing up the level of the squad. I guess he’s our Kristian Fletcher replacement? Basically, I’m not sure what he does that Jacob Murrell doesn’t already do.
Anyway, welcome to the team, Gabe. Our first two signings of the offseason have both spent time in the Israeli league. That’s something.
The DCU website has Badji, Karamoko, Murrell, and Peglow listed as forwards. Now add Segal and Baribo. I don’t know what to think either. Another DP signing? Benteke and Fletcher were in this group and I am a big fan of both and thought they should still be on the team.
I’d imagine that Karamoko gets loaned out (or plays for whatever Next Pro team we’re partnering with… guh!), and Badji is a top candidate to get bought out. Pirani is more of a forward than Peglow is. There’s also a good chance that we draft Nicholas Simmonds, and he’s a forward as well. But yeah, unless Murrell takes a leap this year, Baribo is the only real threat to score.
Speaking of buy outs. Can the club buy out contracts now? They were hamstrung before, but I think they have two contracts they can buy out now. Enow would be on my list to buy out.
Yes, they can buy out two contracts. There’s lots of good candidates that SHOULD be bought out, but most of those are signed through 2027 or beyond. Assuming they’re not going to buy out anyone whose option they picked up this offseason, that only leaves Herrera, Rowles, Schnegg, Badji, Servania, Stroud, Farr, and Murrell as players with contracts through 2026 (everyone except Herrera also has options for additional years, but I’m not sure if those count towards buyout prices. I’m assuming in those situations, the option years would be “declined”).
So, the team COULD buy out other players than these, but that involves them spending a bunch more money. Of the eight players I listed, I’ve had Badji and Stroud as the most likely to get bought out. It’s possible that Stroud could have a resurgence, and if he can send in crosses to Baribo like he did to Benteke in 2024, then that would be really nice. But his position is also one that I’d like to see a DP player brought in, and they also brought in Caden Clark.
Sweetbuck posted a possible left back coming from Japan. That would be Schnegg’s position. Would they buy him out?
Maybe. I’ve been kind of surprised that two of the few rumors that have been out there around DC United have involved them going after fullbacks (this one from Japan, one from the Dutch second division). After last season, no one’s job should be safe. But it would certainly seem like central defense is more of a need than the wings.
I would also think that Schnegg could have some value to an Austrian club or something (he won the Austrian Bundesliga there before coming to DC). A transfer would seem at least plausible rather than a buyout.
Yeah, the Dutch rumor is a right back and that would be Antley/Herrera. Moving on from Herrera? Man, this off season is not very optimistic for me. Maybe the thinking is the outside backs were our defensive problems.
Dutch second division doesn’t really scream “Herrera Replacement” to me. I see that more as a Dodson replacement
If we’re keeping Herrera, I can see Weiler pushing him up as a wide midfielder or even more attacking winger. That would leave Antley as the only RB, but we should be looking for a new fullback (on either side) anyway. For competition and to have someone lined up for the future.
I’d guess that Weiler will be inclined to poach from Switzerland and Japan.
I think Segal is more of a classic 9 than Murrell, who is probably best playing off of a regular 9.
As far as buying out a contract, I don’t know what Badji is making, but I really don’t see what he adds to the roster in terms of actual production. There are other fast guys who can do some hold-up play, and who might even score goals.
I’m on record also as not being a big fan of Schnegg, but maybe as a veteran back-up LB, I’d feel better about his spot here.
Congratulations to Marc Machado, but… DC coulda had him.
Sigh.
Ryan Keefer just shared this tweet, a rumor linking DC to a Japanese defender (seemingly a left back and left midfielder from what I can find)
https://x.com/JapanFutballHub/status/2001671051798024466
I was kind of hoping we might have a shot at drafting Junior Diouf, and I was a little surprised to see that he wasn’t one of the Generation adidas signings and wasn’t eligible for the draft. Turns out that according to Tom Bogert, he has an offer from Anderlecht. Hard to fault a freshman for wanting to explore that career path rather than maybe being drafted by DC United.
MLS Super Draft Update:
DC selects defender Nikola Markovic from NC State
6’5 Central defender, Generation adidas, sophomore. He’s Canadian, so I think might need an international slot. I’m a little surprised since it seemed like attackers were the highest rated players in this draft, but people seem to think pretty highly of Markovic and it certainly is in a position of need for us.
Yeah, was just about to come back to say that it looks like he’ll need an international spot. And given that time in college doesnt usually count towards getting a green card, that’s probably 2 years or so that he’ll be an international (assuming he sticks around that long)
I could be wrong about this, but I thought I read MLS was seeking a ruling from the Administration so that Canadian players could be domestic.
It would make sense, if you’re going to have a league in two countries.
There was a ruling recently from FIFA that the 3 Canadian sides can be treated as US domestic clubs. This means they will have the same transfer windows as MLS rather than CPL — but I wonder what this would mean for CONCACAF tournaments with Canadian representatives? Could an MLS side still qualify for that?
It would be good to find a way to not have him take up an international spot, and I’m not gonna pretend to be deep in the weeds on current league rules about that.
But I will say, I think any college attacking talent is unlikely to pop in the league at this point. If he’s athletic enough, had the right profile, and has got it between the ears, this is a decent move
I think DC just traded with New England to get pick 8???
Anyway, DC now selects Richie Aman, Forward, Washington
Confirmed, trade of 150k 2026 GAM and 50k 2027 GAM. Seems like Sorgut and Weiler like the draft
They must be using the reports from the scouting department. 🙂
From the Sogut quote, I’d guess they were looking at teams in the Final Four, and with Washington winning, they got to see a lot of them.
200k isn’t all that much, and split between two years. Dallas threw a whole bunch more for the #2.
My comment was less so “wow that’s a lot of GAM’ and more so “wow, they care enough about the draft to actually get MORE picks.” From what I’m seeing, this guy could be an immediate contributor. If that’s the case, 200k GAM is some fine work for that, and well played by Sorgut (big IF there, obviously)
Oh yeah, I agree, I was just remarking in the seemingly reasonable gamble.
Hmm. United has a lot to rebuild, but given that they are terrible at developing young players and don’t have the Next Pro team, I would have discouraged them from stocking up on draft picks. Take the #1 for sure, but that would have been enough.
So, hopefully Aman can prove himself well and show once again that I have no idea what I’m talking about.
Paul Harvey of American Soccer Analysis likes him, calls him an immediate starter and impact player. So, that’s nice.
I’d read about him coming into the draft. He’s really grown as a playmaker this year. Not sure why MLS listed him as a Forward. He’s a Midfielder. I wouldn’t expect him to start at MLS level, but if he’s quickly ready for playing time and contributing that would be massive.
I think that’s just been more of a general nomenclature shift that wide midfielders are just denoted as wingers, and thus, forwards now. The shift seems to be happening beyond MLS even
Analysis I’m seeing on BlueSky from people who are presumably well plugged into college soccer is that both of these picks are very good. Both could end up being immediate starters, if needed.
If they both make an impact next season, time to stuff an extra packet of beef jerky in the vents for Kasper. He’ll have earned it.
Seriously, though, I doubt this was Weiler or Sogut looking at college tapes, and Kasper used to be the college draft guy
I’d be really surprised if Kasper wasn’t involved in at least this side of the roster building. We haven’t exactly struck gold (or even iron) since he stepped away.
Regardless, I’m hoping the young players can come into a mentally refreshed team in a few months.
It was one of his strengths that got nerfed with the rise of academy development.
But if it’s useful now, he’s getting a salary still, so might as well use him
From Sogut:
They probably didn’t have a lot of time to look at tape, but they (not clear if that’s Sogut and Weiler, or Sogut and Kasper, or all 3) were at the Final Four. They got to watch Washington win twice, and that seems to have really influenced picking two players from the championship game sides.
Pick 31: Isaac Emojong, Utah Valley University, Midfielder
Paul Harvey is far less complimentary about this guy.
All-WAC Second Team isn’t a compelling resume line, but what do we expect in the 2nd round? Athletic young player, shoots a LOT, and scores, too. Maybe he’ll surprise.
Pick 61:
Stephane Njike, Forward, UMD
Would be a lot to expect him to make the team now, especially if he would take up an international slot — but All-Big Ten First team is nothing to sneeze at. He was 2nd at UMD in both goals and assists. It would be great to find a place for him, perhaps at Loudoun, where DCU could monitor his progress.
Pick 85: Lasse Kelp, Defender, UMD
Sogut knows to draft some Terps!
If we had a Next Pro team, they’d have a place to develop, but maybe we can park them in USL
Kelp seems fishy. Seriously though, it’s surprising he fell so far in the draft. Big Ten Defender of the Year and semifinalist for MAC Hermann trophy? Played every minute. Yeah, he was a senior transfer from UMBC, but there’s a credible prospect.
Njike also seems like a player who could surprise if he gets playing time somewhere for the next year or two.
Given they probably both would take international slots, they’d have to wow the team in training camp, But, if they spent a year in USL, and got their green cards, Weiler might take a long look at them either before the short season to start 2027 (before DCU’s MLS rights expire), or even as summer additions going into the 2027-28 season.
And as if the above wasn’t enough to talk about, now they’re buying Sean Nealis from RBNY. From which I infer that Bartlett is moving on, Nealis will be too highly paid (currently ~$550k with NY) to have him, Rowles, and Bartlett all rotating at center back.
Keep going, guys. There’s still 60% of last year’s roster yet to turn over.
Goff is reporting that DCU is trading for Sean Nealis, we’re giving up “financial considerations.”
To me this suggests that we’re going to move some of our existing CBs having just drafted Markovic and acquiring Nealis.