Louis Munteanu injured, Eddy Davis up for Player of the Month, and more: Friday Freedom Kicks
Happy Friday! We are experiencing one more summery day before the temperatures go down and rain comes in just in time for the weekend. Not the best luck, but maybe it will motivate me to get some things done over said weekend. Enjoy the summer vibes while you can!
USL Championship Player of the Month Nominees – September (USL Championship)
Loudoun United’s Eddy Davis III has been nominated for Player of the Month after scoring six goals in September, including a hat trick on Sep. 4.
DC Power players also saw some monthly awards success: Claire Constant and Abby Boyan both made team of the month!
Louis Munteanu, OUT from the national team! What happened to the striker (DigiSport, Romanian)
Munteanu suffered an ankle strain in training with Romania this week and is not expected to play in their remaining matches this window.
US lined up instead of Qatar to host inaugural Women’s Club World Cup (The Guardian)
The scheduling of this thing is pretty wonky — the winter in between the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics — but I think the US is a better host than Qatar. In losing the 2025-26 CONCACAF W Champions Cup, the Spirit have missed their best chance to qualify.
USWNT U-23 roster named ahead of two October friendlies (SSFC)
Some interesting names in this group, including players like Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor who are more commonly seen on a senior team roster.
Although there’s always a chance one of these players, particularly a defender, could get a call-up in this window. Naomi Girma will not be joining the USWNT here in DC due to injury.
USMNT vs. Mexico: Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest explain what awaits young players in heated rivalry (Yahoo! Sports)
After the way the match against Chile ended, I would be surprised not to see some fireworks in the USMNT’s upcoming game against Mexico.
Victorious Portugal united behind coach Jesus after Ronaldo exit (ESPN)
Ronaldo’s temper tantrum while Portugal moves on is very funny to me. Just retire already!
For some Friday fun, check out this very long-range goal from the USL Championship:
Finally, here’s your schedule of events for the weekend. Both D.C. United and Power FC are off, while the US Men are playing the final game of their international break.
| Teams | When | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loudoun United vs. Indy Eleven | Sat., Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. | Leesburg, VA | ESPN+ |
| USA vs. Mexico | Sat., Oct. 3 at 10 p.m. | Glendale, AZ | TNT, etc. |
| Washington Spirit vs. Houston Dash | Sun., Oct 4 at 7 p.m. | Houston, TX | Roku |
Have a good weekend!
Wonder what the Munteanu injury is? He is not playing for the rest of the international window? Does not sound good.
It could just be precautionary, let’s see how it pans out.
Had this thought yesterday in regards to Markovic. Its not that unheard of for guys coming out of college to have their positions changed when they get into MLS. I wonder if he will actually be a CB for us, or if he becomes the second coming of Jared Jeffrey and his position just becomes “wherever he’s needed,” as seen by him playing Forward in the last 2 games
With Munteanu (and Segal) out, I think Markovic is kind of right up there with Joao Peglow and Jackson Hopkins in being effective forward options after Baribo and Ordaz. Weirdly, Sean Nealis is kind of in the mix, too.
As far as playing centerback, you may well be right. Weiler has been very reluctant to play him there, even preferring Andre Dozzell who’s never played CB over Markovic, but still praising Markovic’s talent and giving him game time (unlike our teenage homegrowns). So, will he be a CDM? A striker? Or does he grow in to a center back role next year? It’s a big question. Bartlett is signed for a couple more seasons, and I think that Rowles has made the case that he deserves to have his option picked up – assuming that he wishes to return. Nealis and Tubbs are probably gone after this season, which would seemingly put Markovic in the role of third choice for CB, but that depends on who else is signed, and if Weiler wants to continue using Peltola and Dozzell ahead of him.
I’ve been trying to remember if he’s even featured as a CB for us at all yet. I know he’s played RB, LB, CDM, CM, ST, and I believe RM or LM late in a game. Even if he has, he’s played as a forward more than a CB at this point anyway.
He’s been subbed as a CB
I expect Peglow gets more minutes up top along with Ordaz, and that Avilez gets more shots at sub appearances
Or at least I hope Avilez does, cuz if it’s nothing but Stroud, I’m going to have to hide objects that could blind me during game time for fear of temptation
(Hyperbole, but Jared has been uniquely pathetic trying to do plays)