New-look USMNT roster, Vlatko Andonovski’s new job, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
It’s Friday! I’ve got a fair amount of news for you today, and we’re looking at a couple of beautiful days before a cold and rainy start to Fall. Sounds like a lovely day.
Pochettino calls in 28-man USMNT roster for September-October friendlies (SSFC)
Mauricio Pochettino has announced the roster for USMNT’s upcoming games, and it’s sporting a lot of new, younger faces. As the start of a new cycle, it’s a great time for the team to work on some development.
Coveted defender Noahkai Banks chooses Germany, dealing blow to USMNT (USA Today)
At least one player won’t be joining them: Noahkai Banks has confirmed he will be playing for Germany, accepting a call-up to their senior team after previously refusing two to the US.
Locally, both Tai Baribo (Israel) and Nathan Ordaz (El Salvador) have been named to the rosters of their National Teams for the upcoming window:
Andre Dozzell speaks on time in DC, push for playoffs (The District Press)
We have a new interview out today! Donald spoke to Andre Dozzell as D.C. United enters their final stretch of regular season games.
Washington Spirit’s Sporting Director James Hocken put out a video this week, discussing the profiles of new players Monique Ngock & Mélissa Bethi and how the team scouted them. If you’re interested in learning more about the club’s use of data in scouting, I’ll put in a plug for our Hey Spirits interview with James back in July.
DC United maintains U22 Initiative Club Profile (The District Press)
MLS published updated club profiles yesterday, and, in something of a surprise to me, D.C. United is sticking to the U22 model. Donald gave us an overview of the current roster and who’s using those slots.
D.C. United Announces Partnership with Theta Labs (D.C. United)
D.C. United has partnered with an AI company to provide some more fan engagement on their website.
Ex-USWNT coach Andonovski named Chicago Stars soccer chief (ESPN)
After Vlatko Andonovski’s departure from the Kansas City Current last week, NWSL social media was rife with speculation about his next move, and now we know. Will he be given the resources (and the control he lacked in his last job) to actually make a difference at the last-ranked Chicago Stars?
DC Flight Takes Off: Club Reveals Brand Identity and Names The Anthem Its Home Court (Pro Volleyball)
Not soccer news, but adjacent: Jason Levien’s DC Flight unveiled their branding and venue yesterday. I have to say, I did not anticipate The Anthem becoming a sports venue.
Finally, here’s your match schedule for the weekend. Both D.C. United and Power FC are at home, while our other local teams are off in the Midwest:
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Power FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun | Fri., Sep. 18 at 7 p.m. | Washington, DC | Peacock |
| Loudoun United vs. Louisville City | Sat., Sep. 19 at 7 p.m. | Louisville, KY | ESPN+ |
| D.C. United vs. Charlotte FC | Sat., Sep. 19 at 7:30 p.m. | Washington, DC | Apple TV |
| Washington Spirit vs. Chicago Stars | Sun., Sep. 20 at 5 p.m. | Chicago, IL | ESPN |
Have a good weekend!
Man this 3 week(!!!) mens international break is going to be loooooong. The only positive is the Spirit keep playing during this time.
I think there’s only 1 weekend that DC doesn’t play coming up, so we won’t be in too much of a drought.
I liked that video with James Hocken. I am hoping the Spirit moves past the last game and get back to where they were.
From DC:
“D.C. United Acquires $50,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money from Real Salt Lake in Exchange for Homegrown Priority to Defender Judah Pritchett”
Roche has long said that Pritchett was one of the more promising academy kids. At least we get some kind of return for him, I suppose
It seems like they know they can’t develop young players and they need to raise money to fix the first team.
I had wondered where DC might get some more GAM from, and that answers that.
Given that Weiler had a couple of young(ish) center backs in Garrison Tubbs and Nikola Markovic and shipped one away and refuses to play the other at center back, it’s hard to look at this as a mistake from DC’s point of view. Possibly shortsighted, but being shortsighted is kind of the whole deal when you steadfastly refuse to get an MLS Next Pro team up and running.
Ah well.
::sigh::
There’s always the chance that we sign him for millions of dollars later on before trading him for a few 100k?
Just from the player’s perspective, it has to be the right move. He can’t get good minutes on the 1st team and there’s no such thing as a reserve team for developmental game time.