So here's the thing, and this is a thing whether folks want to admit it or not: if you want to play prettier, and use a new formation, with new people, this stuff, in Week 1, is going to happen. If you think that it doesn't, or shouldn't, I don't know what to tell you.
I will tell you thank you very much, because in between the US Women's and DC game threads, y'all gave us a lot of love last night and we appreciate it. Spread the word, tell a friend and all that.
Recaps of D.C. United's 4-1 loss to the LA Galaxy from us, MLS, Goff and LAG Confidential. Feel free to drop in another recap that tickled your fancy in the comments, because there's only so much searching you feel like doing for gamers 5 hours before you have to wake up for work.
‘I did not need size’: A 5-foot-3 Argentine attacker will lead D.C. United: Goff gives us the Luciano Acosta profile we wanted
Battery Alum Neagle Ready to Raise Up D.C. - United Soccer League: After being cup-tied, Lamar Neagle wants to help, y'all.
Robbie Neilson: Kitchen deal is real coup - Edinburgh Evening News: We mentioned last week that Perry Kitchen is going to Heart of Midlothian F.C. (Hearts) in Scotland. Now we learn that Kitchen had been eyeing Kaiserslautern in Germany, but that fell through. This is starting to look like that arc in Seinfeld when George turned down NBC's money only to eventually accept a smaller offer.
2016 ASA PREVIEW: DC UNITED — American Soccer Analysis: I think this is the last of the previews, this one from analytics' eyes.
In which we call out the D.C. United haters who should know better - Black And Red United: Adam rallies against the narrative...
On the pleasant boredom in Queretaro - Black And Red United: I marvel in Mexico...
D.C. United signs Andrea Mancini - Black And Red United: And partner club stuff, sorta. Speaking of which...
Southampton 1-1 Sunderland: Van Dijk Strikes To Deny Black Cats Victory - Roker Report: Sunderland had a goal, and then gave up a late one to draw with Southampton. The result pulled them out of the relegation zone, a point ahead of Newcastle and Norwich City.
Inter Milan 3-1 Palermo: Three goals, three points - The Offside Inter Milan: In more partner club news, Adam Ljajic, Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic scored for Inter as they easily dispatched Palermo, leaving them in fifth, between Fiorentina and AC Milan.
Offside calls, bench behavior and dissent among points of emphasis for MLS referees in 2016 | MLSsoccer.com: I encourage people to read this and bookmark it, because past things like contact in the box on corner kicks and other things have reared their heads in decisions for regular season games.
Women angry over new Whitecaps security policy - NEWS 1130: Putting aside the fact that (I think) MLS has quietly rolled out a size limitation on bags brought into the stadium (along with type), this, in Vancouver, is a little disconcerting.
Bleachers Full of Women? The question of gender equality in MLS supporters' culture - Howler Magazine: As is this, to a degree.
Please don't let this be the new U.S. Soccer home kit - Stars and Stripes FC: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
United States grabs last-minute 1-0 win against France - Stars and Stripes FC: Alex Morgan scored for the United States as they defeated France in the latest She Believes game.
Café Diego - Eight by Eight: A cafe devoted to Diego Maradona? Where do I sign up?
Finally, Emmanuel Lubezki won his third consecutive Oscar for cinematography last week for "The Revenant," and he is climbing the charts among best movie photographers in history. You've seen his work in Birdman, Gravity, Children of Men and others. This five minute clip attempts to examine his style:
Now, go off and get coffee. Lots of it.