Monday Freedom Kicks: It’s Drafty in Here

Happy Combine-ing! We’ll be drafting this week, so stay tuned.

US Soccer grants division 2 status to both USL and NASL (us): US Soccer plopping this deferral at 9 on a Friday night is Chivas USA-esque. And this interview with the North Carolina FC owner is worth a complementary read.

D.C. United’s Academy has a new director (us): In case you missed the Friday afternoon news pop. For associated reading, his interview on the club’s site is worth checking out.

D.C. United academy star Ian Harkes wins M.A.C. Hermann Trophy (us): The OTHER news Friday night. Also, Ian will be in Europe this week, in case anyone is impatient over a decision.

Trade targets: 10 players who could be on the block (The Score): This was a curious target, but the explanation kinda works I guess.

José Guillermo Ortiz sobre su salida de Alajuelense: 'Estaba en juego mi futuro' (La Nacion): Ahead of the Copa Centroamericana, the newest Black-and-Redder talks about his decision to leave the club he started with.

Selling the D.C. United Way (Association of Luxury Suite Directors): One of the sales folks opens up a little on what they’re doing.

Risk and Reward: Key Passes in the 2016 MLS Season (And then, the Hex): An interesting look at passers, accuracy, and their overall clutchness.

Prost Interviews: Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer/Head Coach Leigh Cowlishaw (Prost Amerika): Leigh talks about a few things before Friday’s news, in audio form.

Are these our five greatest All Whites? (stuff NZ): No, not some alt-right thin, just looking at the greatest footballing Kiwis.

A 5-course introduction to the depraved delights of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (AV Club): The show kicked off Season 12 last week in stellar fashion, and this group of recommendations to get a newb up to speed is fairly decent.

Stay warm today friends.