DCU Host NE Midweek, Sandy McIver Wins SotW, An Event Redefines “Tailgate” as a Concept, and More: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Hope y’all are doing well today. Temperatures are finally drifting a bit more downward, and I can almost feel acceptable outside experiences coming soon. So, hooray?
On to the news.
Match Preview: D.C. United vs. New England Revolution | Wednesday, August 19, 2026– DC United
There’s a big match at Audi Field for DC United this evening, as they attempt to hold fast to playoff contention. They are only 6 points off of their East Coast rivals, New England Revolution, but that spread is currently holding NE at 4th in the East while United sit in the 9th and final Playoff spot after 19 games. United would do well to pick up the wins necessary to make this less nerve wracking, but that wouldn’t be a United playoff bid, would it?
Sandy McIver secured Save of the Week for the above denial of Ally Sentnor.
No word yet on an official goal celebration weekly award, but I guess they want to be fair to the rest of the league…
Pretty stoked for the upcoming EPL season, and one storyline that US fans can seize on is Haji Wright taking the step into the most competitive men’s league in the world. He’s part of the season opener this Friday at 3 PM Eastern, taking on some outfit I’ve never heard of, am I getting this right, Arsenal? In all seriousness, Coventry City have their work cut out for them to remain in the EPL next season, and Wright’s going to have to be a big part of that battle. Godspeed.
USMNT Stock Up, Stock Down: Dynamic Duo Combines for Game-Winner, Richards Falls Flat– Sports Illustrated
A look around at the early form of some USMNT players, including a very lively Brenden Aaronson.
Also prompted me to find this footage of Dest’s assist to Pepi in their second league match win:
Source: USMNT’s Mark McKenzie set to rejoin Philadelphia Union– ESPN
Going in the other direction of transfer journeys, it seems The Philadelphia Union FO is closing in on USMNT CB Mark McKenzie as their new DP. Huh. Certainly would be a very good CB in MLS, but can’t say I ever recommend a defender for that designation. Regardless, that’s the development.
2026 MVP Race: Top Five Frontrunners– All for XI
An SB Nation writer breaks down the NWSL MVP race as we approach what promises to be a spicy fall for the league. Former Spirit player, Ashley Sanchez, yeah, she is definitely on there.
Sporting Kansas City lands Brazilian forward Andre Luiz– KCTV5
The financials of the 24 year old Brazilian forward’s 5 year contract haven’t been disclosed, but it is almost certainly a hefty sum for SKC. The league site indicates that the transfer fee was in the area of 18 million plus add-ons. The market for these talents is quite pricy, and there’s no current indication that it will become less costly any time soon.
Medical experts deliver verdict after Jamal Musiala collapses during Bayern Munich match– GOAL.com
It appears that medical experts have figured out what is likely behind Jamal Musiala’s disturbing collapses. That’s right, “collapses” plural, as the German superstar had to be taken off after collapsing twice in four days during Bayern matches, this second time only 6 minutes in. Hopefully treatment is effective, but Bayern should show a great deal more care going forward, because something clearly wasn’t right the first time.
Events DC Hosts RFK Legacy: A Tailgate Experience– Events DC
We’ll close out with whatever this is. What if there was a tailgate at a construction site, all in anticipation of the main event: Going home afterward. Truly bizarre.
That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!
The league site is saying SKC’s deal is $18 million + add-ons for the transfer. But no word anywhere I can find on what his salary is.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-acquire-andre-luiz-in-club-record-deal
The article has been updated
The Zavier Gozo deal to send him to Crystal Palace from RSL was announced yesterday. The transfer fee is for apparently $15 million.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/real-salt-lake-transfer-zavier-gozo-to-crystal-palace
Hopkins gets away without punishment beyond the yellow card for his clear dive against Montreal Saturday evening. The same can’t be said for Nashville’s Sam Surridge or Miami’s Maximiliano Falcón who were both fined for violating league policy on embellishment/simulation. Additionally, Toronto’s Djorde Mihailovic and SKC’s Kwaku Abyabeng were fined for failing to leave the field in a timely manner.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/nashville-sc-s-sam-surridge-fined-by-mls-disciplinary-committee-md20-2026
I really hope DCU can pull off a win tonight. Hopefully the starting CBs are back and maybe Ordaz is finally set to start a game?
That whole RFK Tailgate thing is bizarre considering it will also coincide with the release of a podcast about RFK? Who is even making it?
According to the availability report, Rowles is still out with a thigh injury (Peglow is out as well), but Bartlett is back from his suspension, so I’d expect him to start
Munteanu has been on a bit of a dry spell since the World Cup break, but going back watching all the goals DC has scored, you keep seeing him making crashing runs to the back post. It hasn’t really made a difference, but if any of those shots had been a little wayward, he would have been there to steer it in. So, I think that’s a positive sign.
I do want to see more of Ordaz. Just not sure if he’s ready to beat out Louis for a starting spot yet.
Odraz not starting at second striker for me is about fitness, not Louis.
Munteanu did play pretty robustly at RM, and we desperately need more creativity and ball carrying underneath Baribo.
It also doesn’t hurt to have a bit more off the bench.
I hope and expect Ordaz starts sooner rather than later
Hopefully Hefti avoids picking up a yellow tonight. If he picks one up he’ll be suspended for the game in Charlotte on Saturday due to yellow card accumulation. He’s the only player on the disciplinary report for DCU.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/league-reports/disciplinary-summary/
I kind of think he’ll end up getting the yellow, and Nono will have to shift to RB the next game.
Wiebe is of the opinion that Kurokawa’s handball is the more obvious call on review even though he admits its probably a foul by the Montreal player that leads to Kuokawa’s hands being up in there in the first place.
That completely ignores the timing of it, if you think there’s a gap between reacting to the foul and the ball contact, then enjoy your photography hobby, cuz you’re going off stills.
Oh I think there’s no pk and its a free kick to DCU.
Yeah, I assumed so, saying “you” as a general category of opinion havers
I figured.