DCU re-sign Bono, Spirit sign Martinez, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks!
Morning everyone from the icy tundra once known as Washington DC. My back is still sore from all of the shoveling I had to do over the weekend, but it gave me the chance to catch an absurd amount of footie (how about them Red Devils?!). I also was blessed with a bonanza of DC area related soccer news so let’s dive in!
DC United acquire Alex Bono from New England Revolution (DCU)
Bono is back in DC! He will probably be fighting against Farr to be the 2nd choice keeper, but I see a scenario where he could potentially challenge Johnson for the starting role.
Washington Spirit Signs Paraguayan Star Claudia Martínez (Washington Spirit)
The Worst Kept Secret In Womens Soccer™️ is finally revealed! Though she couldn’t inflict much damage against the USWNT (which included several future teammates), I am excited to see how Martinez integrates into the team. But also how are we going to jam 13 international players into 8 international slots?! The math ain’t mathin’!
Michele Kang’s largesse for women’s football leaves Fifa open to bias claims (Guardian)
First, I didn’t realize that Kang’s ownership organization, Kynisca, is the presenting partner for the inaugural Fifa Women’s Champions Cup that starts tomorrow. Second, this issue of multi-club ownership is one to keep an eye on because it is not going away especially as several of Kang’s teams grow in stature.
A Saturday and a state killing: soccer as Minnesota is torn apart (Guardian)
A powerful piece that captures the emotional rollercoaster that comes with trying to simply get by in our modern age.
Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter says fans should avoid US for World Cup (USA Today)
“The worst person I know just made a good point”
Soccer United Marketing and Polymarket Announce Multi-Year Partnerships with Major League Soccer and Leagues Cup (Business Wire)
“prediction market insights” “second-screen engagement” what fresh hell is this…
DC Power signed someone!
I loved (emphasis on the past tense) the Washington Post’s coverage of local sports, especially DC area soccer. This is a great insight into a journalist who got his start there.
D.C. United Appoint Dr. Orbay Ünsoy as Head of Recruitment (DCU)
DCU is trying to win the race for most front office staff with “Dr.” in their name…
DCU edge closer to another signing in the form of a Europe based right back. Does this mean Herrera has competition, back up, or are we cashing in on him? My wild theory; we actually move Herrera further up the field!
I’m ecstatic that Trin is staying in DC, but the battle between the union and the ownership over the HIP rule continues…
How embracing international talent has made the Washington Spirit a top contender (IX Sports)
Having a roster full of internationals from every corner of the world in one of the most global cities is one of my favorite things about the Spirit.
Rodman loves DC and DC loves Rodman <3
Lastly, the NWSL unveiled their new match ball for the 2026 season. E Pluribus Anus!
I hope the vast majority of you are able to read this from the comfort of your own home, but if you must leave home, safe travels! And see you all in the comments!
Assuming that report is correct, the <$200k transfer fee for Hefti at least means he’s more likely to not even be a TAM player (unless we’re paying him like $800k/year). Definitely signals more towards quality backup/competition than just straight up getting rid of Herrera. Hopefully that is actually the case
I’m starting to buy into the notion that Herrera will play further forward. Weiler liked playing him a bit further forward last season, and we haven’t signed any other midfielders yet. We do have Clark and Stroud at that right midfield spot, and can Herrera outplay them for a starting role? Hefti seems to be pretty good at crossing as well, although all his highlight videos are from like five years ago.
Also, if Herrera doesn’t move forward, then they’re three deep at right back with Herrera, Hefti, and Antley. We only have one left back, and that’s an unproven player in MLS to boot. Can Antley also back up Kurokawa? Is there another left back coming in? Much to learn!
There was also a rumor that United was interested in a center back who’s playing in Cyprus (for Hernan Losada’s team). He’s 6’5″ and seems to be quite strong in the tackle, although in the Cypriot League. He seemed to perhaps fit a similar mold to Sean Nealis and perhaps Nikola Markovic, but left footed. Who knows how much reality there is to this, but I would feel like if this guy did come in, then Lucas Bartlett is probably moving on.
Yeah, I think the more I look at it, it definitely seems like we’re going with 3 in the back and Herrera and Kurokawa as wingers. Our outside back depth chart is essentially Herrera and Hefti on the right, and Kurokawa and Antley on the left. But, Antley also played some at CB last year, and Hefti has apparently played there as well (along with RM too). By my count, we’ve got 8 guys on the roster (including Hefti) who have at least played at CB before (Antley, Bartlett, Hefti, Markovic, Nealis, Peltola, Rowles, and Tubbs). You can maybe add Herrera to that too, and I think Kelp might be a CB too IIRC, but he’s not signed yet. Loading up on CBs and less on wingers/fullbacks seems to indicate more of a 3 CB system, with Herrera and Kurokawa more as wingers
Herrera has definitely played RCB in a three back system.
I highly doubt any other draft picks are getting signed to the senior side. Maybe to whatever MLS Next Pro thing they work out.
I think the important thing to say about DCU’s new director of recruitment (is that another label for scouting?), is that he’s bought into DCU’s footballing philosophy.
It would be cool if anyone can let us fans know what the footballing philosophy is.
No you see it’s a secret philosophy that no can know except for Erku… *ahem* Dr. Erkut Sogut and his inner circle!
Frankly, it sounds like Sogut, Weiler, and now this dude.
It just got promoted from a line to a triangle
A weird thing in the press release is the one example the team gives of his work at this small club in Turkey was selling a dude for €6M. Aside from the smallish number it’s a transfer out. The measure of success there is the value they got for selling this one guy. Nothing about how players he recruited have performed.