Landon Donovan returns (again), D.C. United changes formation (again)? & more: Freedom Kicks for 1/15/18

Hi. Have you been watching combine games over the weekend and nerding out for the draft? No? Well OK

With training camp looming, goal-starved D.C. United hasn’t landed a scorer (WaPo): I get that people are going to be/are upset by this, but it doesn’t mean I relate to it. The primary transfer window runs until May, guys like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Josef Martinez, Romain Alessandrini, Maxi Moralez, Sebastian Blanco all came to MLS after training camps started (hell, Luciano Acosta and D.C. United weren't mentioned in the same sentence until mid-February 2016). If anything, the comment about tactical flexibility (combined with this Paul Arriola interview over the weekend) and, well, take it away Jason:

2018 MLS Combine Player Profile Crash Course (Analysis Evolved): If you missed Saturday’s games and are off today, you can watch those games and use this as a primer.

Donovan to exit his second retirement (Stars & Stripes FC): So Friday night, LA Galaxy and United States star Landon Donovan (who’s played what, 6 games in 3 years?) decided he’s going to join Giles Barnes in Mexico to play with Liga MX side Club Leon. A primer on the League and Club from FMF State of Mind, ESPN FC and SI.

Report: Gonzalo Veron heading (back) to Argentina? (us): Hardly a shock but oh well.

Soccer gives Freedom’s Nelson Martinez growing number of options (Inside Nova): In case you wanted to add another potential name to the homegrown list, this Academy 16-year-old is also playing at a U18/19 clip.

RSL names Dane Murphy Technical Director (RSL): You can’t be blamed if you forgot about him, but the former D.C. United reserve player from 2008 got a nice gig with Real Salt Lake.

Cameron embraces groundbreaking role (AP): In more DCU alumni news of a different sort, former D.C. United staffer Meghan Cameron is now Assistant Director of Player Personnel with Sporting Kansas City, the first technical staff role in MLS to be occupied by a woman.

Joselu cancels out Ayew header as Swans claim a point (Wales Online): In partner club news, Jordan Ayew scored, but Newcastle got one back late for a 1-1 draw with Swansea City. Sans remain last in the Premier League, 2 points behind West Bromwich Albion.

Finally, Raiders of the Lost Ark is great of course, so here’s a shot breakdown of some moments in it. Of note, cinematographer Douglas Slocombe apparently filmed the movie without a light meter (used for film exposure in shooting), which I’ve always found kind of cool.

Oh, and mazel tov to Sean Franklin: