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Wednesday Freedom Kicks: Glory days, Bruce is Back!

Bruce Arena hired by the USMNT, MLS playoffs were incredible, Champions League drama, Zlatan thinks he’s set to conquer the U.S., and Steven Gerrard not going to Oz. Here are your Wednesday Freedom Kicks!

MLS: LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Wednesday everyone. What a Tuesday it was, from UEFA Champions League drama to MLS playoffs. The Montreal Impact-Toronto FC thriller as well as the Seattle Sounders-Colorado Rapids barn burner made for an entertaining evening in the first leg of the MLS conference finals. But the real news was the return of Bruce Arena to coach the United States Men’s National Team. Today, more Champions League is on the schedule on the busiest travel day of the year. Ready? Here’s the news:

Bruce Arena named head coach of U.S. Men’s National Team | U.S. Soccer

Arena Football is back with the USMNT, as Bruce Arena takes over for the fired Jurgen Klinsmann in charge of the red, white and blue. His deal runs through the 2018 World Cup, and it’s clear there is one goal: reverse the trend of the first two World Cup qualifiers and get this team to Russia.

6 players who stand to gain the most from Jurgen Klinsmann’s departure | Stars and Stripes FC

From our friends over at Stars and Stripes FC, this is the smartest list on the planet. Why? Because they list D.C. United’s very own Bill Hamid as the number one player set to benefit from Klinsmann’s departure. Come on Bruce, bring in Bill.

MLS playoffs: Montreal beat Toronto in thriller after wrong lines painted on pitch | The Guardian

The start of the Montreal-Toronto playoff match was delayed over 30 minutes because...the 18-yard boxes were painted too narrow. The teams had to wait while the groundscrew repainted the lines to make them wide enough. Peak MLS? Well, at least they had the tools to fix the problem unlike some teams we know.

Zlatan: “I can conquer US like I have Europe” | NBC Sports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that we can prepare for him to come over after his European career is done to “conquer” MLS. Let’s see if it really happens, but if Zlatan can stay in form, maybe he ends up playing for LAFC.

Victory ‘no chance’ of signing Gerrard – Muscat | FourFourTwo

The Melbourne Victory of the A-League confirmed they have no chance of signing out-of-contract former Liverpool legend and LA Galaxy also-ran Steven Gerrard. We’re not sure where Gerrard will end up, but I guess he didn’t want the Aussie payday.

There you have it...have a happy Wednesday. Safe travels if you’re hitting the road or the air to get to your Thanksgiving destination. And, while you’re kicking back with family, hope that the Bruce will return the glory days to U.S. Soccer’s program once again. Hit the comments!