DCU Recall Farr, Abera and Bagley Return to DC Power, USMNT Sing Country Roads, Kane Rescues the Three Lions, and more: Thursday Freedom Kicks
Happy Thursday everyone. I’m a little sad. I missed the US game last night due to another commitment. Thankfully, they will play at least one more match in this tournament. Until then I am looking forward to a nice long weekend full of matches and to the return of the Spirit. Now on to the news.
D.C. United Recalls Goalkeeper Jordan Farr from Loudoun United FC Loan (DC United)
This one caught me a bit by surprise. I’ve been distracted by the World Cup and thought Farr was out with injury. He hasn’t played for Loudoun since June 9th. The press release makes no mention of his injury and says he’ll be available for selection, so maybe he’s healthy. If he is healthy, did DCU recall him due to the lack of playing time or is there some other mover with the goaltending corps on the way?
DC Power Football Club Re-Sign Loza Abera and Anna Bagley (DC Power FC)
Buried in last month’s press release announcing the departure of 12 other players from DC Power’s 2025-2026 roster was a note the club was in negotiations with Abera and Bagley to keep both players for next year. Yesterday the club made their returns official. Both players have been with DC Power since its inaugural season. Abera was a vital cog in the offense during DC Power’s late run at the playoffs, while Bagley held down the midfield.
2027 Free Agency: What top players could be on the move? (NWSL)
Ok NWSL, let’s chat. You didn’t have to put Leicy Santos in your banner photo for the article and have her lead off the article. That was just RUDE.
For just the second time ever, the USMNT have won a knockout round game at the World Cup. With the victory, the US ended a winless streak against European teams. Flo Balogun had a night, scoring a goal just before halftime and then being the recipient of a controversial red card in the second half. Malik Tillman added a goal for the shorthanded US to seal the win. The US will face Belgium.
Pochettino already becomes winningest USMNT World Cup coach ever (USA Today)
All it took was three victories in four matches for Poch to claim the record for most wins by a USMNT coach in a World Cup. The win allowed Pochettino to leapfrog Bruce Arena from 2002 and Robert Millar who managed the squad in the 1930 World Cup.
Belgium pull off stunning comeback to eliminate Senegal (ESPN)
The US will face Belgium in the Round of 16. The Red Devils spent most of their match against Senegal looking like a team that was about to head home. Then they manifested two goals in the last five minutes of regulation to force extra time. Just before having to go to a shootout, Youri Tielemans earned and converted a penalty to send the Belgians to the next round.
2-1 Congo DR: Harry Kane saves Three Lions to set up Mexico World Cup clash – as it happened (ESPN)
For a short period of time it seemed most of the world aligned their rooting interest behind DR Congo. Then Harry Kane dashed everyone’s hopes and lead England into the next round on shear force of will.
Congo coach learned of his father’s death at a press conference (Yahoo Sports)
You have to feel particularly bad for DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre. Receiving the new his father passed during a press conference following what had to be a heartbreaking defeat has to be absolutely devastating.
Report: Julian Nagelsmann on the verge of being sacked as Germany coach (Bavarian Football Works)
Given German expectations in every tournament, Nagelsmann’s fate was probably sealed by a less than convincing group stage and their early exit after facing Paraguay. The coverage of German players doing everything but sprinting in the opposite end of the field to avoid taking a penalty is particularly damming.
Seattle Is Winning at Hosting the World Cup (The Urbanist)
I was able to experience Seattle during the World Cup and have to agree. The atmosphere was fantastic inside the stadium formerly known as Lumen Field. The area was walkable and it was really easy to navigate via public transportation. If they can figure out a long term solution to the playing surface issues, the Emerald City should be a regular in the USMNT and USWNT rotation.
I’ll end with this.
You’ve got to appreciate Landon Donovan for a bit of self-aware humor.
What did I miss?
Today’s Matches
| Teams | Where | When | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs Austria | Inglewood, CA | 3 PM ET | Fox |
| Portugal vs Croatia | Toronto, Canada | 7 PM ET | Fox |
| Switzerland vs Algeria | Vancouver, Canada | 11 PM ET | FS1 |
It does seem like FIFA are throwing up walls to say that the red can’t be appealed for the most technical of reasons that have nothing to do with the merits or the bizarre Frankenstein’s monster of a process that got him sent off.
But I do expect the fallout and inanity of it to lead to future protocol changes and reforms.
Cuz I don’t know how you endanger the safety of an opponent without taking or being responsible for the action that caused it.
Balogun was stepping to take position, but it’s the dragging of the Bosnian player that moves his foot onto the ankle. In essence, it was forced movement in the first place.
That VAR decided to almost pathologically focus on a slow motion moment and still and show only that to the ref without context, that’s gotta be appealable, and then overturned.
The bar for taking down Belgium just got higher, but the boys are gonna be frothing. Pepi is still a CL level striker, and Wright’s an effective sub.
Losing Balogun is definitely an impact against a strong opponent like Belgium.
Here is an interesting perspective from ESPN analysis by a ref.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49244156/world-cup-var-review-misapplied-protocols-leave-usmnt-folarin-balogun-wrongly-red-carded-world-cup-vs-bosnia-herzegovina
Basically, the ref will call it given the limited views provided on the monitor, but in review of the real time images, it should not be a red. My opinion, the ref let a LOT of serious fouls go during the game. It sucks they were not reviewed.
Here is a real time replay.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ussoccer/comments/1ulgvgo/watch_muharemovi%C4%87_narrowly_avoids_red_card_for/
Protocol NOT followed by VAR crew and ref. Appeal should be considered.
I feel like in times like these, I tend to ask myself “If a DC player did this exact thing, would I be worried and would they get sent off”, and here the answer, to me at least, is a resounding Yes. Much like how we’ve discussed that DC doesn’t get leniency when it comes to calls, I don’t think the US really does either. If Messi, France, or Spain do this, it’s probably not a red. Lesser team/player, its gonna get called a red by review.
Also on an aside, it was reported last night that the decision can NOT be appealed
That’s what I said
I misread your top line, sorry about that!
The Farr recall is odd. I wonder if a team is coming in for Alex Bono or something?