D.C. United’s transfer window, NWSL roundup, & more: Freedom Kicks for 8/11/2017

A lot of things happened yesterday. I have a lot of stuff for you do get into while pretending to work. We don’t even need to venture too far from the transfer window, D.C. United, and the Washington Spirit.

In Paul Arriola, D.C. United have their new star man | Black and Red United
Steven Streff’s big piece on what the Arriola deal means has plenty of quotes from yesterday’s press conference, where I have it on good authority that B&RU was the best-dressed outlet in the building.

MLS’s boldest roster shake-up could happen only after D.C. United stadium became reality | Washington Post
Key line from Steve Goff’s inside look at how transfer windows finally changed for United:

If United hadn’t jumped now, Kasper said, Arriola’s price could’ve grown by 50 percent this winter and 100 percent after next year’s World Cup. MLS’s Orlando City and Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon were also interested in him.

How can Bill Hamid earn more playing time for the USMNT? | Stars and Stripes FC
That’s a damn good question. The intrepid Donald Wine II tackles the question

Grading all 22 teams for the summer transfer window | MLSsoccer.com
It’s not a major surprise that Matt Doyle gave United high marks for starting a very necessary rebuild with younger players. For those of you that missed the other moves teams made, here’s a good way to catch up. Plus, the Union get mocked pretty thoroughly, so that’s always fun.

On that note, here are some deals that only came out today:

Former FC Dallas goalkeeper Richard Sanchez to the Chicago Fire
MLS journeyman Dilly Duka to the New York Red Bulls
The Rapids sent Dillon Powers to Orlando for Luis Gil and some TAM in a complicated deal

Revolution Acquire Forward Krisztián Németh in Trade with Columbus Crew SC | RevolutionSoccer.net
Alleged DCU target Krisztian Nemeth ended up with the Revs, who sent $200,000 in both GAM and TAM in 2018, plus an international spot for 2 years, to Columbus (who technically selected Nemeth using their #1 allocation ranking before trading him).

Why is that last bit important? Because the Revs traded up to #2 previously, and thus get Nemeth and now hold the #1 spot. They’ve got until September 15th to turn it into something, so the clock is ticking there.

Krisztian Nemeth returning to MLS, but not with Sporting KC | Kansas City Star
The Sporks, meanwhile, made their bid (including a set-up intended to protect them financially in case Nemeth, who hasn’t played a competitive game since March due in part to a wage dispute, didn’t contribute much this year). Personally I think Peter Vermes saying he’s surprised the figure was so high at the end of the window - you know, when prices always always always go up - is disingenuous and designed to possibly calm a fanbase that is not happy they didn’t land their man.

The Washington Spirit’s Line Sigvardsen Jensen helped Denmark all the way to the Euro 2017 final, and even though they came up short, there are some pretty wild photos of how they were received by their country. I hid the caption on here for space reasons, but if you’ve got Instagram go ahead and open it there and use translate to get more on the whole story, including her determination to come back from a torn ACL.

Thursday Q&A: Washington Spirit forward Arielle Ship | The Equalizer
Pretty cool intro to Ship for those not following the Spirit super closely. One day, you might be hiring her as your lawyer.

Speaking of woso players focused on their education, and of Danes, Nadia Nadim’s story is pretty cool. A refugee from Afghanistan, now a star for the Denmark national team a starter in the NWSL, and she’s also going to medical school. Nice work from the Portland Thorns on putting this together:

Openly gay pro soccer player Jess Fishlock shrugs off bigotry | OutSports
Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock, along with being a great player, is also setting a strong example on and off the field.

Finally, hat tip to Soccer America for finding this amazing own goal:

See y’all at RFK tomorrow!