Atlanta Reveals NWSL Team Name and Crest, Nono Named to Team of the Matchday, and more: Tuesday Freedom Kicks
Good morning DC Footy Folk!
Not much from me this morning other than some sore legs from pick up soccer last night!
Let’s jump into the footy news!
Atlanta revealed the new team name and crest for the team that will debut in 2028. I think the general online consensus is “love the crest, hate the name”. I think the trend of naming American teams United, FC, or City should be gone! Let’s get creative! What would you name the new Atlanta based NWSL team? Sound off in the comments!
Team of the Matchday: Preston Judd, Prince Owusu reach 15-goal mark (MLS)
The Vancouver-DC game was definitely must watch TV and Nono earned himself a spot on the team of the matchday squad. Vancouver was also represented with Thomas Muller appearing for them.
If you want a deep dive into the 1-0 loss on Sunday (and a Three Six Mafia reference), take a listen to the latest “Hey Spirits!” podcast!
The four ‘what next?’ scenarios for Premier League after Man City ruling (BBC)
The bombshell news dropped late last week that Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges (most related to skirting financial rules). City will surely appeal, but I cannot see a world where they will get off scot-free. But surely they won’t get relegated to the Championship…right?!
I always love Pablo Maurer’s deep dives into often forgotten American soccer lore. In this piece he explores that there is a precedent to 16 year old Cavan Sullivan playing for the USMNT (and it’s not Freddy Adu!).
Follow Paderborn’s trip to the USA to play DC United in friendly (Bundesliga)
For anyone trekking out to Audi for the clash against Paderborn, give this a read!
How Sebastian Berhalter has evolved for the USMNT (Yahoo! Sports)
Crazy to think that Sebastian Berhalter went from national team debutante playing in MLS to veteran playing in the English Championship in less than two years.
As someone who only got into Fantasy Football over the last two years, I relate deeply to this piece. I am rooting for Esme and her team of Jacksonville Jaguars players (she’s got 4).
USMNT projected lineup vs Chile: Will Pochettino rotate his side? (USA Today)
Finally, the USMNT gears up to face off against Chile tonight at 8 PM.
That’s all from me folks! See you in the comments!
Atlanta Phoenix would stand out. (I agree that FC is just tired)
The passed up name for the men’s team of Terminus FC would have better.
Finnnallly managed to get through the DCU vs Whitecaps full match replay
My boy Kijima, at arguably his least suited midfield position, showed he’s a good contributor when there’s actual technical ability and passing going on around him
Hopkins and Dozzell looked an intriguing pairing in the midfield, Hopkins doing some more risk taking with Dozzell covering calmly
As for Nono, I feel like I’ve avoided a lot of disagreements with people’s criticism of him, some even questioning if he should start at RM, mainly because it was wildly outside my observations of his play, but seems like the consensus is getting closer to my excitement from his first start at RM.
I also have to hand it to Weiler for a tactical approach to shutdown soccer I’ve never seen before. I’ve seen the “take off an attacker and add another CB” gambit that often blows up due to lack of outlet and confusion of responsibilities in one way traffic
His “oops, all CBs” approach actually works, though it was crazy to see the forest he made.
Side note for Vancouver: Oliver Larraz is heck of an MLS midfielder that will actually stay. Kinda Dax McCarty redux. If he was 21/22, I’d think he might have a shot at developing overseas, but he’s this at 25, nobody’s coming in for him. Which, for The Whitecaps, is an asset in itself for squad building
Nono hadn’t been great before, but he was already a standout going forward. Do I think there are better midfield/wingers in MLS? Sure. On DC United? No.
I simply think people misunderstand the role a player like him at RM in a 4-4-2 is filling. Maybe it’s because we’re used to a three forward dynamic flow in the modern game, but if you’re judging him by a formation and principle we’re not employing, than I can see where dissatisfaction comes from. Simply don’t think it’s justified.
And I simply don’t agree that he hasn’t been doing well. If a brace changes your mind, I kinda don’t think the game is being watched in its entirety.
I think from the first game Nono played for us he’s shown that he’s one of the best acquisitions we’ve had recently. The Vancouver game helped solidify that. Dude seems great, and I’m glad we have him here.
I was impressed with Nono and his defending during the LAFC game. I think he frustrated Son and Bouanga in that game. I didn’t know he could score too.
He scored a weirdly high amount of goals for Kashima while playing Right Back, so he does seem to like to do it. Glad he seems to have brought that with him to DC
He scored a shocking number of times as a fullback his first season with Kashima Antlers, 9 I think? Even if that total is a fluke, he’s showing some of the same offensive instincts with us already.
Atlanta Scarlet. Or Scarletts. At the very least, the team should make that their nickname (and color scheme)
Hooo boy. It’s an interesting/entertaining nod to Gone with the Wind, but I don’t think that this would go over well with a large part of Atlanta’s population. Maybe I am wrong. I do like the creative thinking!