Just a heads up, this will be my last regular Wednesday Freedom Kicks for a bit, but only because PJ Ryan and I are switching regular days. Next week, you’ll see that change. If anyone read my comment yesterday that demonstrated euphoric excitement about a certain player joining a certain club, you’ll know that this is a tough Wednesday morning to soldier into before the day switch. It is what it is.

Anyway, on to the news!

And we start with, (Oh, boy)

Balogun’s failed Everton transfer sums up USMNT’s underwhelming summer window- ESPN

This one is simply a mess, and it’s not clear who is most at fault for what should have been a beneficial move for all parties. Monaco needed the agreed upon fee to balance their books, Everton would have secured a UCL quality striker as he entered his prime, and Balogun was so close to getting his foot in the door of the EPL at a solid landing spot. It all collapsed brutally sometime in the afternoon of the summer window transfer deadline day. Balogun walked out of the process that the two clubs had extended past the midnight deadline in an attempt to white knuckle a resolution.

From my own perspective, devastating. The peanut butter and jelly of this was absolutely perfect. I will say, I’d caution people to refrain from solidifying judgement toward Balogun and Monaco, and wait to hear more about what happened on Everton’s side. The English speaking media have largely printed the Premier League club’s narrative, and are somewhat overlooking the context of how Everton approach might have altered proceedings. Everton were pressing hard into talking down both the transfer fee and Flo’s salary considerations after an opaque medical exam, and the fault points are lost in the murk. I think we need to wait for harder reporting about this disaster. Given its virality, we’ll almost certainly get just that in the coming days.

MLS reportedly will return all 27 US-based teams to the US Open Cup- The Guardian

I might be glum, but who am I to deny the masses some joy? As you might have heard, the US Open Cup is reclaiming most of its former participation levels once more.

U.S. Soccer restructures sporting department: What it means for Pochettino, Hayes

Fascinating one. US Soccer will no longer have an overall sporting director to replace Matthew Crocker, but instead dedicated “directors” for both the men’s/boy’s teams and the women’s/girl’s teams as more separate entities. However, Pochettino and Emma Hayes will reportedly have immense control over the senior teams in this new structure. Will be curious to see how this plays out in practice, given that the pair are vaunted coaches that can’t be expected to make their stays eternal.

Sources: USWNT’s Rose Lavelle re-signs with NWSL’s Gotham- ESPN

She’s immense, and happy at Gotham.

From a $4.2 billion FIFA deal to a possible criminal case. Trail leads to Miami

UEFA has decided to take FIFA to court in Miami. What an evocative situation. The case relates to Infantino’s scheme to sell stakes in, I guess the world’s game for his own profit and that of his associates? How this plays out legally is anyone’s guess.

Scott McTominay Will Undergo Heart Surgery, Return Date Confirmed- Sports Illustrated

Actually insane that any sort of heart surgery can have such a brief and optimistic recovery period for an elite soccer star. Wishing Scott the best.

Don’t believe the clubs have made any announcements on these yet, but moves are being made in MLS.

Sources: Southampton loans USMNT’s Downs to St. Louis– ESPN

Remember Damion Downs? He’s probably going to play in MLS for a bit.

D.C.’s Major League Volleyball franchise reveals its name- Washington Business Journal

Levien’s consortium have been working on this franchise, but should have worked more on the name, cuz it will be a hot day in Niflheim before “D.C. Flight” appears anywhere near the top of the results when it comes online searches.

Gonna close out with the inevitability of The Thompson Family of Soccer Excellence. Alyssa and Giselle’s younger sister, Zoe, has not broken with the driving interest in being insane at soccer that consumes her talented siblings. This is fun to watch.

That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!