DCU Injury Update, Loudoun Departures, NWSL GM’s Surveyed, and more: Wednesday Freedom Kicks
Welcome to Wednesday everyone. D.C. United has another midweek match tonight with the season’s dwindling postseason hopes in the balance. A loss against Toronto eliminates the Black and Red, while a draw may do the same based upon results elsewhere. Regardless, with just a few matches left, DCU’s run of missing the playoffs looks very likely to extend another season.
If DC is to pull off the unlikely, they will have to do so potentially minus another key piece of their attack.
Three players from Loudoun were named to the USL Championship Team of the Week following their dramatic 4-3 win over Brooklyn FC. Midfielder James Murphy was named to the Starting 11 after scoring a goal and serving up two assists. Abdellatif Aboukoura and Sal Mazzaferro were named to the bench.
In more Loudoun (and DCU alumni) news, Pedro Santos has announced his departure from the club after two seasons.
Murrell ‘very confident’ after fifth goal in six games (BBC Sport)
Jacob Murrell seems to have taken to playing and living in Scotland. He has more goals in his last six games (5) than he did in his time with the Black and Red (3). I’m not sure whether to attribute this to the difference in leagues, opportunity, or the lack of ability of DCU to develop young talent. Maybe a bit of all three?
NWSL GM survey: How teams cheat, Rodman Rule, USWNT’s World Cup, and more (ESPN)
A lot of interesting nuggets in here about how NWSL’s view the league, the HIP Rule, and more. Roughly a quarter of the teams indicated if they could they would trade their whole roster for the Spirits roster, tied for most with the bats. Not shocking, GM’s want to spend more on salary and transfers than they currently can. Finally, I really want to know which GM doesn’t think that NWSL shouldn’t expand the use of charter flights for teams.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic set for AC Milan contract extension | Reports (USA Today)
Overall, Pulisic’s time in Milan has been good for him compared to some previous stops. Its good to see that he will remain their through 2031 on this deal.
‘What you live for’: Fleetwood revel in seismic Arsenal shock after Dowman sees red (The Guardian)
Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned cupset?
I’ll end with this.
I’ve been to the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and really enjoyed my time. They feature a lot of great exhibits and some great artifacts from the 1996 US Women’s Olympic Soccer team. This should be a great program for those who are interested.
What did I miss?
Jackson Hopkins isn’t on the injury list, but he left the last game in a boot. It would be a bit of a surprise if he’s available just a couple days later, and certainly would be a longshot to start.
So… does Nathan Ordaz get a shot up top? Or does Weiler just keep on not trusting him and opt to go with someone like Brandon Servania, Nikola Markovic, or Jared Stroud at striker instead?
I’m half expecting it to be Markovic and Nealis starting up top. Ordaz and Peltola have to be the biggest questions about Weiler’s…player choices. Peltola has been consistently one of our best players, and Ordaz has looked decent when he’s been out there. There’s really no reason those two shouldn’t be playing more
I haven’t been to a DC United game in person since 2022 (Christian Benteke’s first goal and Taxi Fountas’s first racial slur!). And this season has been really disillusioning. But the Nov. 7 is at 4:00 and someone was selling extra tickets for $10 apiece, so I made the (cursed?) decision to get a pair and bring my 7 year old to his first live soccer game.
I’m going to do my best to just hope for nice weather and an enjoy an outing with my child. The soccer is going to be whatever, but the stadium experience might still be really fun for someone his age.
Or he’ll get overwhelmed by the drums and noises and want to leave, and then I’m not out too much money.
I’m nervous for how it’ll go, but it could end up being a really nice ending to a really stupid season.