Spirit Players Depart for AFCON, World Cup Think Pieces Continue to Come In, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Morning DC Footy Folk! I hope you all are finally starting to recover from this World Cup final hangover (either physical or emotional hangover). I watched the final at La Cosecha’s outdoor watch party in Union Market. It was a good vibe although 2nd half was tough being in direct sunlight. Where did you all watch the game?
Let’s jump into the news! Local stuff will be up close to the top; World Cup content will be towards the end.
Thanks to Ryan Keefer who found this statement from Kashima Antlers regarding their right sided defender, Kumito Nono. Seems like it is looking more and more likely that he will move to DCU in the coming days.
Deb Abiodun and Gift Monday have been called up by Nigeria to represent the country in the Womens AFCON tournament. They will miss between 3 to 5 games (depending on how far their team advances). Additionally, Rosemund Kouassi has been called up by the Ivory Coast.
John Textor Seeks $400M From Michele Kang in Lyon Takeover Suit (Front Office Sports)
I would like to think this lawsuit will be thrown out quickly. Textor just got “out board roomed” by Kang. Also, don’t forget that Botafogo (the Brazilian team that Textor owns) still has not paid Atlanta United the $20 million they owe for the transfer of Thiago Almada.
A great interview with Spirit legend, Tori Huster. As a more recent follower of the Spirit, it was great to hear some Spirit lore especially what went down during the 2021 championship winning season (both the good and the bad).
Spain’s World Cup triumph confirmed what its soccer had been saying all along (Yahoo! Sports)
If you’re looking for more thinking pieces regarding Spain’s World Cup triumph, here’s Steven Goff’s assessment.
Way too early 2030 World Cup Power Rankings: Can Spain repeat as champion? (USA Today)
This is ridiculously early but, hey, why the hell why not?!
Masters of time and space, Spain’s dominance comes from deep-rooted principles (The Guardian)
This think piece is from USWNT coach, Emma Hayes. Could give you an insight into her thinking for the World Cup that is in only 338 days…
World Cup’s best, most disappointing XIs, from Messi to Pulisic (ESPN)
I had to include a best XI article, but I also like how we get a bonus most disappointing XI. Any changes that you all would make? Sound off in the comments!
Always interesting to see which players make a big move post-World Cup. Who will be this year’s 2014 James Rodriguez?
(Re)Introducing: DC United (APB)
Finally, a reminder that DCU plays it’s first game in nearly two months tomorrow against Houston. All Points Bulletin has you covered with a reintroduction of the District’s mens team.
That’s all from me folks! See you in the comments!
Kang is more likely to come out ahead financially from Textor’s completely unhinged stance that he thinks is legal theory. No doubt his legal team asked for a decent chunk of change up front. As you say, she outboard roomed him. It’s not illegal to make business arrangements and form partnerships without his knowledge. He got outplayed by a person he underestimated and didn’t appreciate.
I also don’t know what allies he thinks he has on this. Not the Lyon fans or players, that’s for sure. His financial mismanagement across his soccer holdings, he’s likely only got lackies whose station is heading for a close as this “empire” collapses.
And while misogyny is more than a little around, I think it can be safely said we’ve moved out of the era of judges telling women to their faces that running marathons or wearing pants is socially unacceptable. Textor can’t achieve a “you’re a woman, you lose” outcome here. She’s a billionaire who actually knows how to make her associates happy with a deal. He gonna get wrecked.
CONMEBOL’s President thinks that 2030 should be a 64-team World Cup….
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49415443/fifa-world-cup-2030-64-teams-gianni-infantino-conmebol
If it’s going to happen, that decision would need to be made quickly because it would have a huge impact on the qualification process. For instance, with 64 teams,I could see a situation where every country that made the round of 32 automatically qualifies and then everyone else fights it out for the remaining 32 spots.
If the decision is made to go this route, I think it won’t be made on its merits but rather on politics: countries that have a poor chance of qualifying (El Salvador, Vietnam) or that are good traditionally but had problems this cycle (or recently–like Italy, Denmark, Nigeria) would jump at this.
Weiler gave his pre-game press conference yesterday, and there were a couple of things that stood out.
He was asked about the new additions, Dozzel and Ordaz, and said he’s excited for both. Andre has been here for a while now and is doing well, while Nathan has only been here a couple of days and needs a little more time. Went on to say “I don’t want to criticize his former club, but he’s not in the best physical shape.” Hopefully there’s not a Lossada level of control there.
Also noted that there could still be a couple of more additions to the team, but did not go into any specifics.
Weiler seems to be more short and abrasive than controlling in the way Losada was revealed to have been.
I would totally buy that LAFC wouldn’t put in the diligence to have their sub be full match ready. Sounds about right.
Weiler is giving the club the dressing down, so no bus betrayal for Nathan yet.
I don’t read his comments about Ordaz as being “Losada-level.” He has a vision for how to use Ordaz and is explaining why we aren’t likely to see him on Wednesday or the game after. And frankly, if you come from LA to the DC area in summer, the humidity is going to punch you in the face pretty hard.
LAFC also just sold another one of their young players to Hammarby for a couple million dollars. So, they’re doing something okay, even if it isn’t fitness.
That is an outstanding article by Hayes, very thoughtful with nuance and a mixture of tactics and culture. Goff’s article is very good too. That guy has been to a gazillion World Cups so his insight (when he goes big picture) is worth paying attention to.