Messi Retires From International football, Transfer Deadline Day, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Good morning DC Footy Folk!
Over the weekend I watch the new A24 biopic, Tony. As a huge Bourdain fan, I knew I’d enjoy it but oh man it was good! As a coming of age story it is brilliant. If you know a bit more about Anthony Bourdain, it is even better. I just wanted to make sure this movie was on everyone’s radar as I do think it’ll win some accolades during award season!
Anyways onto the footy news!
Messi retires from Argentina duty with ‘nothing left to give’
Messi retires from international soccer for the second time ever. Crazy to think he retired for the first time ten years ago with no international trophies and well…the rest is history.
Golden Boot: Lionel Messi takes lead over Petar Musa
Speaking of Messi, he is once again the out right leader in the Golden Boot race with 18 goals. Tai Baribo is 6 goals back on 12 goals.
A few story lines to follow on Transfer Deadline Day including Balogun to Everton. I’m curious if Enzo Fernandez will get his move to Man City? Any other surprise moves before the window closes?
Orlando Pride part ways with Head Coach Seb Hines
It seems only just yesterday that Orlando was dominating the league and won the NWSL championship. But an over reliance on one player will always make it difficult to keep up with the pace setters at the top of the league.
‘New and improved’ Trinity Rodman tweaks style to ensure availability for Washington Spirit (ESPN)
Nice little write up on Rodman! Also apparently she’s tied with Hatch for most goal contributions in regular season play for the Spirit (both 61).
Welp. Hopefully DCU can get something for Clark. We already lost Aaron Herrera for free.
Women’s Super League 2026-27 preview No 10: London City Lionesses (The Guardian)
Michelle Kang’s second favorite (or third or just favorite team, depending on who you ask) kick off their second ever WSL season with some lofty expectations after signing two time Balon D’or winner, Alexia Putellas.
Sorry but I had to include this. I remember watching the very game where Balotelli burst on the scene with a goal against Juventus for Inter Milan. What followed was a crazy career. Anyways, he has always been one of my favorite mavericks. Who is your favorite gifted but troubled player of all time? Sound off in the comments!
DC Sports Reality Check: What it means to be a DC sports fan in 2026 (WTOP)
We’ll end with an interesting piece from WaPo about being a DC sports fan. It’s a bit more general in scope (only DC United is mentioned once) but an interesting read that touches on several relevant topics for any fan of the local teams!
That’s all from me folks! See you in the comments!
As I saw the Balogun to Everton thing develop and then get landed, inject it into my veins.
Everton haven’t had a prolific goalscorer in many years, and they have the creative soup underneath for one that never got its due. With Jack Grealish coming back for another year loan, and the possibility that Richarlison (who seems to want Everton) coming back today, there’s every reason to believe Balogun can be the tip of the spear that gets them up the table appreciably.
For those who don’t know, Everton were financially juiced by an arrogant and deluded owner who got them in such hot water with the financial rules that they were effectively not allowed to spend in a number of consecutive transfer windows, and even suffered a points reduction. The fans and the spirit of the club willed them above the relegation line three years in a row until they changed ownership finally before last season. This is their third window able to breathe, and it’s time to do some stuff.
I’ve been an Everton fan since I decided to give Tim Howard a viewing in the EPL, and just dug what I saw. No club outside of DC makes me happier when they win.
The club has seen Americans before. Preki, Joe Max Moore, Brian McBride, Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, and Antonee Robinson was originally developed there.
It’s a great and supportive fanbase, and expectations and requirements won’t be unreasonable. He’s gonna love it. Let’s effin go
I always have a soft spot for Everton. I know Rog from Men in Blazers likes them so I usually keep an eye on the team. They are looking dangerous and you’re right; they have a history with USMNT players. Hoping Balogun can be dangerous for the team. A healthy and motivated Grealish would help!
At the 25′ mark of this edition of Landon Donovan and Tim Howard’s Unfiltered Soccer podcast they interview USL’s Paul McDonough on the current status of USL’s move to Pro/Rel.
Projecting initiall 12 in the Premier initially, 20 in Championship, and more down in USL League One would be regional. Pro/Rel across all 3 levels. They want Premier to get up to 20 teams. Working with US Soccer in regards to Professional League Standards.
Apparently Colorado has agreed to a club record deal to sign winger Morgan Whittaker from Middelsbrough. No details yet on the exact fee. The previous Rapids record was $7 mil to sign Paxten Aaronson.
They’ve already sent center back to Lucas Harrington to Hull City for an initial $17 mil. They are also apparently sending forward Rafa Navaro to St. Louis for $12 mil. They’ve also spent $6 mil for Israeli interational forward Sayed Abu Farkhi.
Rapids ownership splashing cash that they get for high profile transfers.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7555456/2026/09/01/morgan-whittaker-transfer-colorado-rapids-middlesbrough/
There was a rumor a while back now that DC was linked to David Doudera, a Wingback playing for Slavia Prague. Bogert reporting that he has now signed with Cincy. Would imagine Nono filled the spot he would have been looked at for, so not terribly surprising to see he ended up somewhere else
Cincinnati seems to have beaten us to him
I do wonder if we’re going to be signing someone out of Germany. Dr. Sogut specifically mentioned that the team was looking in Japan and Germany, and they’ve signed Nono. Will they be getting someone out of Germany too? We have an international slot. We have a senior roster slot. We have a U22 slot. There’s the means if they can identify a player that fits.
I’d be really surprised if we make a significant signing this late. I’m not even sure Clark gets moved.
I’m feeling optimistic, so I think we’ll do at least one move (either someone in or Clark out, or even just selling an international slot). But I’m certainly sympathetic to your viewpoint.
Joseph Lowery reporting that all 27 US-based MLS teams will participate in the US Open Cup next year
I’ll believe that when the league says something.
With the calendar flip coming next year will the Leagues Cup with Liga MX become a preseason tournament?
Missed this last night apparently, but DC has placed Gabe Segal on the Injury List. There has been debate on whether he’s a senior roster player or not, but if he is, that would give us 2 senior spots to work with
https://www.dcunited.com/news/d-c-united-forward-gabriel-segal-placed-on-injured-list
Didn’t Weiler also indicate that he would be leaving the team? Maybe this is how they’re doing it.
People were saying that’s what Weiler was saying, but reading his quote, it seemed to me he was just saying that Segal wouldn’t be available for that particular game.
More reports out of Romania that DC is trying to sign Korenica again
https://x.com/Emishor/status/2094865789073408083
Looking through his recent tweets, this reporter has called a few recent Romania-MLS moves before they’ve happened, so there might actually be some smoke here