Monday Freedom Kicks: Complexy Esky

Hi there. I'm going to presume you're away due to the holiday. If not? Well, kismet then.

United promote current academy director Nolan Sheldon to assistant coach | D.C. United: ICYMI, some actual news Friday.

Soccer’s Unspoken Problem | The Players' Tribune: If you read any one thing today, make it this piece from former D.C. United player Alecko Eskandarian and the issues he dealt with during his concussions.

Filmi Girl!: D.C. United Fan Interview #1 with Brendan C.: Commenters talking with other commenters on our community? The best, honestly.

D.C. United's 1998 team: The best not to win MLS Cup – and maybe the best ever | FourFourTwo: So we're clear there's no contest on this right?

Best of 2016: The top five breakout players of the MLS season | MLSsoccer.com: Patrick Mullins klaxon!

Giovinco, Pirlo and more - Goal's position-by-position MLS player rankings - Goal.com: Thomas Floyd gets into ranking the Lig and some Black-and-Red is dusted throughout.

Ted Leonsis doubles down on Arena Football League with Baltimore team: I don't really have anything to add to this, other than the owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards talked about Phil Anschutz and the early days of MLS for a second, so do with it what you wish.

MLS Front-Office Efficiency: 2016 edition | Soccermetrics Research, LLC: BREAKING: Dave Kasper does more with less than almost anyone.

Misinformation With Goalkeepers in American Media — EVERYBODY SOCCER: This doesn't touch on DCU directly, but does get into the silliness of the MLS goalkeeper of the year.

Woodbridge resident Jeremy Garay attending U.S. U-14 National Team Soccer Camp | Sports | insidenova.com: Hey, look at Academy kids following Chris Durkin's steps!

Five things we learned as Swansea City players justify Bob Bradley's team selection in 1-1 draw at Everton - Wales Online: In sorta partner club news, Gylfi Sigurdsson had a first half goal, but Everton scored a goal near the death to share the result with Swansea City. The Swans remain in 20th, two points behind Sunderland.

AC Milan 2-2 Inter Milan: What a game - Serpents of Madonnina: In more partner club news, a late Ivan Perisic tally allowed Inter Milan to share the result of the Milan Derby with AC Milan, who had two goals from Suso in the game. Inter are in a three way tie for ninth, but have the differential tiebreaker.

Finally, since it's Thanksgiving week, here's the WKRP episode where a bunch of turkeys died. As God as my witness I thought turkeys could fly: