Pulisic scores amid dating rumors, Mozambique gets first AFCON win, and more: Monday Freedom Kicks
Good morning everyone! It’s the last Monday of 2025, so as we say goodbye to 25 and hello to a World Cup year, here’s what happened over the weekend:
Christian Pulisic nets in Milan win, on pace for best campaign (ESPN)
Christian Pulisic got yet another goal for AC Milan, and he’s tied with Lautaro Martinez atop the Serie A golden boot race with 10 goals.
‘Fake news’ – Pulisic denies dubious Sweeney dating rumors (PSW)
This news was clearly fake…Pulisic is dating pro golfer Alexa Melton and Sweeney is dating Scooter Braun. But of course, misinformation and, at best, unsourced rumor spread like wildfire, even though most people had to know it was fake.
DC United has someone who really wants to get a trial with the club:
Afcon roundup: Mozambique stun Gabon to end 40-year wait for win (The Guardian)
Mozambique get its first ever AFCON win by surprising Gabon with a 3-2 win. Sudan also benefitted from an own goal to get their first AFCON win in 13 years.
AFCON 2025: Why are east African teams so far behind other nations? (The Athletic)
The Athletic takes a look at why East Africa is lagging behind the rest of the continent on the soccer field.
Martha Stewart takes minority stake in Swansea City (SBJ)
Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, and Luka Modric have all acquired ownership stakes in Swansea City, which could be interesting. Of course, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan sold their shares in Swansea back in late 2024, so maybe some of them went to the Doggfather and his bestie.
Crystal Palace coach Glasner provides Richards injury update (PSW)
Chris Richards is questionable this week for Crystal Palace after needing stitches in his ankle, but the good news is that he’s not expected to miss much time.
Enjoy the day, everyone.
Reports have Nashville trading Shaffleburg to LAFC. Though we would have still probably wanted someone even better, I was sort of hoping that DC would make an offer for Shaffleburg. Having his speed on the wing would have been nice. Hopefully a high-caliber winger is still in the works for us
Haak signed with the Galaxy for just a year (plus a club option year)…kind of a gamble for him, isn’t it? I’d imagine he wants out of MLS if the report that he turned down better money from NYCFC is true.
Isn’t New York the city that is so nice, they named it twice?
It has been reported before via Japanese sources, but Goff is now reporting that DC is finalizing a contract with Keisuke Kurokawa. Contract through 2028-29, plus an option year; plays as Left Back/Left Wing.
Will be interested to see what sort of fee is associated with this, but this seems like an odd outlay of resources for a position that is relatively solid already with Schnegg. I wonder if this implies something about Schnegg, or if Kurokawa is actually more of a LB/LW backup/depth piece.
We can have more than one left back on the roster
Oh for sure, we definitely need more than one. It just seems like using an international slot and maybe TAM on left-back competition (compared to a guy that is also on a TAM deal) seems like a lot of resources committed to one position that wasn’t necessarily the problem last year.
I think there’s a legit argument that a competent domestic left back would be the toughest profile to find, relative to other positions.
I definitely would like there to be enough international DP spots available, but as long as that’s the case, having two international left backs might actually be sorta practical
Another possibility is that Schnegg and Kurokawa move to more of a wingback role (ditto with Herrera) and sometimes we play with 3 CBs.
I don’t know Kurokawa and haven’t even seen his highlight tape. But one thing that is true of all players coming out of Japan (male and female) is they place a heavy emphasis on technical skills. The Coerver approach (small-sided, emphasis on ball skill) starts early and goes all the way up to adult. So I’m expecting a LB that is a good distributor of the ball and handles a high press well.
I’m a fan of Schnegg’s effort and apparent attitude on the pitch, but I must say competition at that spot would be nice. Having some guys that can pass and/or keep the ball while under pressure will go a long ways to making us more than a speed bump for the rest of the east.
I know I’ve read something about his being good statistically, but Schnegg failed my eye test. He was a disaster defensively on the left side in a 3 man line, and maybe worse as a LB. Maybe as a CB in a four man line, or a winger (with little speed) in a 4-4-2, he’d be decent.