DC United Persist in Signing Players, Fulham Eye Pepi, An Extremely Old Player, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
It’s that last day of 2025, and we’ve got a lot to reflect on. However, today’s selection is actually pretty light on year-end recaps and evaluations, because the news doesn’t stop. So, here it is!
D.C. United Signs Japanese Defender Keisuke Kurokawa from Gamba Osaka– DC United
We start off with a signing that has been landed. DC United has signed a 28 year old veteran from the J-League who is predominantly a left back, though is used to playing down the left flank in general. He will take up an international spot, as does David Schnegg, last season’s starting left back. My take: Finding a domestic left back with enough ability to compete in MLS and is also willing to play here is an incredibly tough thing to accomplish. John Tolkin is one of the few that has fit that description in recent seasons, and he was a Redbull academy success, and he was valuable enough to make the move to Europe. As long as DC is able to retain enough international spots to sign the DPs they need, having two international left backs on OK salaries is actually sorta practical.
D.C. United near club-record deal for CFR Cluj forward Louis Munteanu– The Athletic
The news that has set the DC United fanbase buzzing online is the pursuit of Romanian forward, Louis Munteanu, and the Athletic are reporting that deal will be the largest DC United has ever expended on a DP. Given his age profile (he’s 23), that sorta makes sense- the market is littered with competent 28 and older players who clubs are anxious to cash in on while they have a chance to get a transfer fee, while the market for younger players in this increasingly intense and fast soccer landscape is costly. It remains to be seen what role Weiler would envision for him, but, as always, we’ll have to wait and see if this deal lands to figure that out.
Philadelphia Union Acquire Defender Finn Sundstrom from D.C. United– Philadelphia Union
To round out the DCU related news, the club has relinquished the rights to a 19 year old American CB that we had acquired through waivers. In exchange, Philly sent us their 2028 first round draft pick. Sundstrom may come good in the coming years, or may not, these are the low level moves you see all the time in any league. Regardless, DCU will hope that America and MLS still exist in 2028, and that Philly sucks in 2027. Moving on.
D.C. United set to move match up against Inter Miami to Baltimore– WUSA9
Sounds like the Baltimore game will have an earlier start time. There, I talked about it.
Charlotte FC sign USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre– MLS
Luca de la Torre is indeed going to play on the East Coast for an MLS side, but not United, as some fans hoped. The article is scant on details, but there is no mention of a DP tag, in which case, Charlotte got an excellent TAM level player who will give any midfield in the league headaches.
USMNT Forward Rated at $54 Million Is Targeted by Premier League Club—Report– Sports Illustrated
It is an interesting moment for Ricardo Pepi. He played the super sub behind PSV legend Luuk de Jong and his deteriorating mobility for what felt like an eternity, then got a serious injury when he was poised to seize the starring role, forcing the coach to adjust till his return. If he goes to Fulham, he’d almost certainly be a super sub again, this time behind 34 year old Raul Jimenez. Players are often stoked to make the move to the EPL for any club, but if Fulham are serious and PSV are open to the move, Pepi will have to contemplate his growing super sub status.
USMNT Player Tracker: ‘Diabolical’ Pulisic, Aaronson impresses and no Richards panic – The Athletic
Pulisic and Aaronson had good weekends, and Richards is set to be back faster than any legitimately stretchered player potentially ever.
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records– NPR
Infantino implies that the price gouging is all our fault. (Redacted).
It’s literally the last day of 2025, so Goal.com took the liberty of making some 2025 related awards and handing them out, albeit digitally. It’s definitely a good idea to seize the chance to celebrate Lily Yohannes as a breakout young player, cuz soon labelling her as such will be beneath her profile.
The January transfer window moves Liverpool should make– ESPN
Not local, but whatever, it’s my day for Freedom Kicks-
ESPN delves into the absolute mess Liverpool made of their offseason with high profile moves, expensive signings, and zero overall plan. It’s a fascinating storyline that may see the club finish closer to their humble local rivals, Everton, than whoever wins the league this season. And to that, I say, go Toffees.
The USL Players Association is going for it, and deserve support for their campaign to be rewarded for their dedication and secure in their financial status as professional soccer players.
Ranking the Top 25 USMNT Players in the Last 25 Years– Bleacher Report
There are DC United players on this list, which may surprise some. It will surprise no one that they’re early DC United players.
Agent hits out at report McKennie wants MLS move– Pro Soccer Wire
Cory Gibbs (who, you may recall, ended his playing career popping around MLS) is now Weston McKennie’s agent, and is torching any suggestion that Weston is or could consider playing in MLS at this juncture. From a professional perspective, I totally get wanting to quash these rumors, because Weston realistically has a narrowing window to make one more big money move in Europe before his age profile disintegrates that fee. Gibbs is trying to up McKennie’s value estimation, and doesn’t want people thinking he’d entertain DP offers. Still, a former MLS journeymen making these comments is a little funny.
Landon Donovan’s new hair, and the side effect he wasn’t expecting – The Athletic
It’s a weird one.
France is always so eager to “honor” the US. That must be it. This is in no way a sardonic dig at our current state, the origin of the statue, and a puff of cigarette smoke in the face with a smirk.
Japanese legend Kazuyoshi Miura to continue professional career at 58– ESPN
Finally, yes, you read that correctly. I’d just like to point out that David Moyes, the EPL’s oldest currently employed manager, is 62.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
I’m fascinated to see how Munteanu fits in. He’s supposed to be excellent at providing service. I’m thinking–given how Baribo plays (relying on service) that Montana is most likely going to play as a withdraw forward (so a frontline of 2). I think we’ll play with 3 CBs, 2 shuttlers/wingbacks, a double pivot (unless we sign a DP in that role). Hopkins will be a box to box midfielder, making late runs in to the box ala Michael Bradley when he was in the Netherlands. Munteanu and Baribo will play up top.
Also, let me just add that when we first hired Lesesne, spell-check continually changed his name on me to a host of wrong spellings. Well, right now auto-correct is turning Baribo in to “Barb” and Munteanu into “Montana.” So at times you may see me insisting our frontline consists of Montana and Barb. Argh!
And I still think we’re going to see a bunch more moves.
Will note that Schnegg does have his green card. So, while we are probably committing TAM to both contracts, only 1 international slot is being used.
Oh, even better
I found the swap with Philly (#1 pick for Sundstrom) to be surprising but smart.
We acquired the rights to Sundstrom but that doesn’t mean he was in our plans (seriously, other than a flier) or that he’d be willing to sign with us. And an MLS veteran (which Sogut is not) would know that Philly is willing to “overpay” on draft picks because they have such a good academy and MLS Next-Pro side—they don’t rely on the college draft for talent so a #1 pick them to is chicken feed.
I bet we couldn’t have gotten a #1 pick from any other club in MLS. So either Philly approached us and made the offer. Or Sogut is showing he’s got some savvy and is learning the league quickly. Maybe it cost Philly very little (because they don’t value draft picks). But to us, a #1 pick is useful, especially if we have a coach willing to develop inexperienced talent and/or an MLS Next-Pro side (hint, hint Mr. Levian and Co.). I think that’s a useful trade down the road. But importantly, I think that tells us something about our GM.
As for the Cory Gibbs statement, I think that’s stupid. He doesn’t have to claim that MLS sides have given him offers. But as an agent, it’s always useful to have an appearance that other teams value your client.
I think Weston’s issue is not so much the salary competition, but the prestige problem. He’s worth 50+ million easily on the market, but I don’t know if top clubs consider him that caliber based on his reputation, and Americans struggle to be alluring still.
So, in essence, I think Gibbs is panicking about clubs thinking he’s on the downturn or ready to lower his standards. This is about perception, not salary.
That’s likely it. It’s weird to be feeling that way given how McKennie is finally in a good place with Juventus after fighting for years just to stay in the squad (even through good performances). I wouldn’t want him back in MLS just because he’s definitely capable of playing in the big leagues (unless of course DC got a deal for him).
If this works out with Munteanu it will be nice to have two forwards. Injury to one and we have a backup. Also Munteanu seems to be able to play withdrawn forward or offensive midfielder.
Yeah. From YouTube highlights, Munteanu and Baribo seem to be both be mostly poachers (although Munteanu had some pretty great long distance goals earlier in his career). Both have a tendency to go kind of cold at times, although perhaps in both cases it was because of their dissatisfaction with their current clubs. Fingers crossed. Either way, so long as the two can learn not to take the space the other one wants to, and so long as we can get some service, at least one of them should hopefully be in decent scoring form.
We stil have a DP to spend, and I’d love to use it on Christian Espinoza, who not only is a scoring threat in his own right but provides great service from the right. He’s also played with Chris Wondolowski, so he knows about strikers finding the spaces in the box.
I think it’s a long shot to land Espinoza, frankly, and I think we will have some decent service with Herrera, Schnegg, and Kurokawa. But seeing as how Weiler wants to play a Philly style press, then we might be counting on creating turnovers in the middle or opposing side of the field, and then feeding our striker tandem quickly. Maybe our last DP will go towards a real stud CDM. Richie Aman seems to have impressed a lot of people with his playmaking, so maybe he gets a shot at that role.
On your point about club dissatisfaction affecting their form when it occurs…
Well, I guess it’s a good thing DC United as an org never disappoints!
(Turns and screams into the void)
Well, they’ll be paying the players what they want, presumably.
MLS having some impact at Africa Cup of Nations. After a less than pretty opening goal put Gabon in surprising lead over Ivory Coast, Dennis Bouanga hit a lovely one-time daisy-cutter which went in off the far post.
What I’ve been seeing/reading about Kurosawa is that while he’s a capable defender, he’s someone who is best pushing forward. Strong technically, provides excellent service–sounds like much more of a wingback (or rather, how Weiler would use him).
It sounds like he’d be very competent at either position, I sorta doubt his profile is the deciding factor in what formation we play. That’ll be down to the necessity to maximize the DPs and whoever else we have to utilize from last season.
He sounds quite useful, though