The DC United Offseason Escalated Quickly, Spirit Re-sign Defensive Stalwart, Chris Richards Stretchered, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the blog, a writer was stirring, some content to flog! The news links were dropped in the article body, while commenters hope that the news won’t be shoddy! When up from the depths, there arose such a clatter, some moves that surprised us- could DCU matter?!
Anyway, time for the news…
It pains me that one link must come before the other in this situation, but two of our writers posted original pieces last night, and they’re both well worth your time.
Donald has you covered concerning the two longtime veterans with longstanding experience in NY MLS franchises making their way to Buzzard Point. Is it wrong I’m more impressed by the Redbull one?
Meanwhile, PJ has a piece arguing thoughtfully for NWSL to do right.
As far as further United news goes, there are rumblings, Boehm writes for the MLS website that United are rumored to have further DP ambitions this window, and Keefer of course found a tweet all in Hebrew from Beitar Jerusalem Football Club that suggests Boris Enow is on his way to the Israeli league. Which, if true, would be a Christmas gift United’s midfield would enjoy.
NWSL slammed for ’embarrassing’ new high-impact player rule– Pro Soccer Wire
There are a number of ways that a “high impact player” status can be conferred to an NWSL star, many of them eye brow raising, one of them genuinely quite ludicrous. European journalists and their famously ignorant views on NWSL talent being a factor is beyond stupid. Sports Illustrated has a further breakdown of the proposed measures.
There are few current fullbacks in NWSL up to her level, so retaining the Canadian veteran is a relief for The Spirit’s competitive streak. Now, about Rodman, Berman…
Transfer Rumor: USWNT forward Catarina Macario draws interest from NWSL clubs– Stars and Stripes FC
USWNT star, Cat Macario, is being courted by a number of NWSL clubs. For those wondering why on earth they think they can wrest Cat from a club like Chelsea, it should be noted who Cat is up against for playing time. As a 9, it’s becoming clear that a rejuvenated Sam Kerr and Aggie Beever Jones are preferred. At the 10 spot, coach Sonia Bompastor seems to believe that 20 year old Dutch player Wieke Kaptein is the present and future of the position. Having finally achieved fitness and a presumed starting spot for her country, Cat is very much on the menu for clubs interested in her signature.
USMNT’s World Cup Hopes Rocked After Star Player Stretchered Off– Sports Illustrated
Chris Richards has a nasty injury described as a “gash” after landing wrong from what seemed a routine aerial move. The USMNT star CB was stretchered off. It’s just not good news at this juncture, but at least he was competing in such a prestigious compe- oh, goddamit, it was the Carabao Cup. Great. His club coach has since expressed some optimism about his prospects of playing again this season. We’ll have to wait and see.
Some profiles of players and what they need to do ahead of the World Cup.
Goal.com grades Mauricio Pochettino’s impact in a copious array of responsibilities.
Sources: Kansas City Current to hire Chris Armas as coach– ESPN
As a group of people who are quite anxious for this Spirit squad to go ahead and win the whole thing this season, I think I speak for all the writers when I say, do it, KC. Great idea, totally competent coach…
Goal.com takes a look at the latest coaching hires in MLS, and speculates about their impact.
Holiday wishlist: What every MLS team needs this winter– MLS
It’s somewhat dizzying to see DC United feature so high on an MLS list of things, but don’t get too excited- it’s alphabetical. The writer is thinking what many are about what United need, having locked in Tai Baribo as a focal point.
FIFA only harming itself with absurd World Cup ticket prices– ESPN
Yeah, despite FIFA recently saying that SOME $60 tickets will be made available, it’s not great.
ESPN FC Women’s Rank: Top 50 soccer players of 2025– ESPN
The publishers of the article explain their method at the bottom, but the first American athlete coming in at 23rd, and possibly because that player plays for Arsenal? Naw.
And, finally, just a reminder that the DMV and Baltimore is a fantastic catchment area for potential academy players. Hint, hint, Levien…
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
Unless we can grab Espinoza and guarantee him a new contract somehow, then we probably won’t see a wide attacker or midfielder until the winter transfer windows start to open
If Sogut really managed to sell Enow, even at a loss, I’m ready to take a sip of the “smartest guy” Kool aid that Levien drank in hiring him. That was among the worst moves we’ve done in the last 10 years, getting out of it early is an achievement.
Thankfully, the new management team seems to be dismantling step by step everything the previous coach and GM did last year. This flurry of activity before Xmas is very unlike the wait until the last minute and then make panic moves DC United of recent years.
What a terrific Christmas Eve post. It would be so easy with all the holiday commitments to make this a short one with “hey y’all, enjoy your holidays!” but instead we’re treated to a rich range of diverse soccer goodies. And a poem to start out with as well! I especially appreciate the close reminding the DCU owners of what a potential treasure chest (and income earner) an MLS Next-Pro team could be. Well done Talonesque!
I thought Carle had a great season and she fits well with how Gonzalez wants the team to play. Good job locking her up.
I’m continually frustrated by the lists of top 100, top 50 players that ignore the American talent in NWSL. I’d have to consult the list again but was LaValle the highest ranking American in NWSL? Shame. For instance, where is Oliva Moultrie? What about Emily Sams? The ESPN list had only 3 American women who play in NWSL and 2 of them (Rodman and LaValle) had mixed seasons due to injury.
And Talonesque, I know that Santa came early for you, with the Enow to Israel rumor. We’ll see.
To all, regardless of your faith community, whether you find the season to be joyous or melancholy, I wish you all some happiness at this time. And may the teams we root for provide us additional reasons to be excited and passionate about them. And thanks so much to the DP team who does so much.
Greatly appreciated!
Thankfully, my travel to family was yesterday, and I was able to have a quite restful night and quiet morning to put it together before breakfast.
Glad to have the readers!
Thank you for the soccer news.
I’m just thankful the COR on my contract decided to authorize telework by doing training related to our jobs from home. Because I was anticipating having to burn PTO I hadn’t planned on using today and on Friday with Trump’s Executive Order last Thursday that turned today and Friday into Federal Holidays. The joys of working in a SCIF…
On a note about the Sean Johnson signing, Taylor Twellman on Twitter seemed to indicate that dc was close to signing Dayne St Clair before he went to Miami. Another reason to hate Miami
Really well done,