Messi Injury Update, Paredes Relegated, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Morning DC Footy Folk! Today is USMNT World Cup roster reveal day! However, it seems that the full squad has already been leaked. I curious to see if the official roster matches the leaked one. In the meantime, here’s some more soccer news for you all!
Lionel Messi injury: Inter Miami provides positive update ahead of World Cup (USA Today)
All of Buenos Aires held their breath when Messi came off in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami’s game against the Philadelphia Union. The good news is they’ve chalked it up to muscle fatigue so it appears that Messi is still on course to participate in the World Cup that is only 16 days away.
Wolfsburg relegated from Bundesliga in playoff loss to Paderborn (ESPN)
This is the first relegation for Wolfsburg in nearly 30 years. During their time in the top flight, they won the Bundesliga in 2009. DCU academy product Kevin Paredes may be looking for a new team after the relegation…
Neville leaves MLS strugglers Portland Timbers (BBC)
Phil Neville departs right at the start of the World Cup break leaving the Timbers with a bit of time to search for a replacement.
Who will be the USMNT coach after Poch? It most certainly not be Jesse Marsch as he signs a new contract with the Canadian Mens National Team.
CommBank Socceroos announce eight additions to FIFA World Cup 2026™ train-on squad
DCU’s Kyle Rowles has joined the Australian Mens National Team down in Florida ahead of the World Cup.
Mexico agrees to host Iran at World Cup instead of US (BBC)
Looks like the Iranian Mens National Team will be staying in Mexico, but play their matches in the US. Originally they were to stay in Tucson, Arizona.
Khadija Shaw confirms new Manchester City contract in shock announcement at parade ($The Athletic)
A few WSL clubs were linked with ‘Bunny’ Shaw, but it appears she will be staying in Manchester!
Hull City are back in the promised land! How will they fare in the chaos of the Premier League next season?
That’s all from me today folks! See you in the comments!
I’m not sure when the team started playing “Let Me Clear My Throat” after goals, but I have to say that I like it.
I think if Paredes had stayed another year or two with DCU, Berhalter would have chosen him as the sub for Jedi Robinson. As it is, I hope he finds a good team to move to that will give him minutes.
And good for Mexico for agreeing to host Iran. I still wonder about the challenges of them flying from Mexico to their games in the US and what they’ll run in to at Customs. And I hear that the US is going to require Congo to quarantine for 2 weeks. I was so looking forward to this WC and instead….ugh.
There is a part of me that thinks there’s a chance Paredes comes back to DCU but likely he’ll stay in Europe even if it’s a second tier league like Belgium.
Iranians flying from Mexico on game days will be insane. I mean, their country has bigger concerns right now, but still this is one of the sh**tiest things to ever happen to a WC team.
The sh**tiest thing to ever happen to a WC team is the “CommBank Socceroos.” Is this for real? Can’t even write about the national team without having to use some commercial branding? We are in the worst timeline.
Also, a bad week for Aiden Morris.
Absolutely unforgivable about Iran.
FIFA had a LOnG time this year to sort this glaringly necessary logistical change out. They didn’t. Now the hosts (us, if you can believe it) are forcing it to be done with shoestrings and glue.
A national shame before a ball is kicked.
Completely, absolutely, totally agree with you on this.
One more bit of news; here is how to watch the USMNT roster reveal at 3 PM today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/usmnt/2026/05/26/usa-world-cup-roster-reveal-time-tv-channel-stream/90256071007/?gnt-fr=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Fsoccer%2F&itm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fsports%2Fsoccer%2F
I’m just lame enough to tune in.
I’m a fellow lame-o who is gonna have it on in the background while I work
Be the lame-o you want to see in the world 😉
Ok, I couldn’t, it’s ghastly.
Assuming the Guardian’s roster leak is correct (it’s coming from Pablo, I assume it is correct), my “bring Zendejas to DC” wishes might take a hit. Can’t imagine he’ll be attainable for us after playing in the World Cup. Paredes could be a fun get though, if he’s willing to play midfield
I don’t think Zendjas making it (allegedly) makes it significantly less likely he’d come. Maybe a little. It’s just that enticing him here is way more of a boon for us than for Alex’s camp.
I’d love to get Paredes back in form and contributing. Lord knows we need some wing speed.
He plays on the left where Peglow plays, so which of them would move to the right?
He’d need some time to get back up to speed, regardless, so I don’t know why you’d be worried about his immediate place in the lineup. Especially since Weiler would need time to evaluate his role and what train him for, specifically. Peglow would keep his place for a bit if he came in.
Secondly, what on earth is wrong with squad competition and quality depth? We don’t need to agonize about what happens if someone doesn’t start who could conceivably. I know we have been struggling to field a fully competent lineup for a few seasons now, but depth is not a snag.
It could be that just having him sprint past defenders off the bench is exactly what our second halves need
Frankly, I wouldn’t mind seeing Peglow play as an A-mid if Paredes (be still my beating heart) came back to DCU.
If we did acquire someone like Paredes and he did find his full on impact, and we continued to build depth, I do also think it gives Weiler some potential adjustment opportunities.
Don’t think it’s fair to Rene to say “if you don’t fit this 4-4-2 idea, exactly as it is, get out.” I do think Weiler believes in out of possession stability and trains his squads not to fling themselves from box to box in hectic chaos. But the tenacity and wariness out of possession doesn’t mean he can’t find new ideas of how to get to goal more effectively.
Parades’ speed on the ball would be greatly helpful for such a change.
I think the summer transfer window should be interesting. I am expecting a right wing with Herrea and Pirani leaving. I also think they are not done with the midfield.
Charles Boehm on the League site calls the DCU vs Impact…I mean CF Montreal game the must watch game from this past weekend. And its for the wrong reasons from a Black and Red perspective.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nashville-set-the-pace-zaha-s-swan-song-more-from-matchday-15
Michele Kang, John Neace (Racing Louisville owner), and Marc Effron (an entrepreneur from South Florida) invest in Senda Athletics who are trying to launch the world’s first Fair Trade certified soccer cleats.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7308190/2026/05/26/nwsl-michele-kang-john-neace-soccer-cleat/
A cool read from The Athletic on returning to play and managing pressure after pregnancy.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7306774/2026/05/26/womens-soccer-pregnancy-science-returning-motherhood-pressure/
Someone gave me this as a gift article, and what a gift. Great read.