Winter showed up uninvited and way too early yesterday, and I don’t like it. Also on the list of things I don’t like: the USMNT taking a full calendar year to drift aimlessly, which yesterday manifested itself in a 3-0 loss to England. Somehow, the scoreline makes the game sound closer than it was. Good stuff.
Let’s start today off with some recaps:
Wayne Rooney earns final cap as England beats USMNT 3-0 | Black and Red United
USA vs. England, 2018 Friendly, recap: A listless performance at Wembley | Stars and Stripes FC
Jadon Sancho lights up Wayne Rooney’s farewell match for England against USA | The Guardian
England-USA friendly had two chapters, both all about England | Washington Post
Steve Goff’s piece includes a quote from Wayne Rooney that sums up our perspective: “It’s just a shame there are no D.C. United players in the squad — that would have been fitting.” Way to ruin this too, US Soccer.
England vs USA: Gareth Southgate reveals how a Wayne Rooney speech prevented a post-match dressing down | The Independent
Gareth Southgate correctly points out that England could have had even less trouble with the USMNT than they did.
D.C. United Faces a Big Challenge in Following Up Its Historic 2018 Season | Washington City Paper
Part of that challenge: sorting out long-term deals for Luciano Acosta and Yamil Asad, and figuring out if Darren Mattocks can be content playing second fiddle.
Meanwhile, Junior Moreno played all but the final seconds of Venezuela’s 1-1 draw with Japan:
#Amistoso | @jfa_samuraiblue 1-1 #Vinotinto | 2T | Min. 90 +4 | Cambio en Venezuela: sale Júnior Moreno; entra Jefferson Savarino. | #SomosDeTallaMundial #Qatar2022ObjetivoDeTodos
— La Vinotinto (@SeleVinotinto) November 16, 2018
Washington Spirit Academy players ink 2019 college commitments | Soccerwire
15 players from the Spirit’s two Development Academy wings signed letters of intent to play college soccer next year.
Why isn’t the extremely qualified Tata Martino, MLS’s coach of the year, being considered as the next USMNT coach? | The Athletic
(deep, weary sigh that goes on until the heat-death of the universe)
Garber on MLS in Copa Libertadores: ‘I don’t see it happening’ | Pro Soccer USA
People got very excited about the idea of MLS playing in Copa Libertadores despite the rumor being started by Liga MX officials, and despite the completely impractical prospect of finding a way to make it work within the existing schedule. Here’s Don Garber pouring water on the idea.
Revolution defender Chris Tierney retires | The Bent Musket
Chris Tierney, the longest-tenured New England Revolution player ever, is hanging it up at 32.
How Marc Dos Santos plans to remake the Vancouver Whitecaps | MLSsoccer.com
It sounds like the Vancouver Whitecaps might not be so awful to watch in 2019.
The story behind Dome Torrent calling me a ‘f*cking disaster’ three times after NYCFC’s loss to Atlanta United | The Athletic
Speaking of clubs that need to hit the reset button, New York City FC!
United Soccer Coaches announces Youth All-Region and All-America Teams | United Soccer Coaches
Five locals made the All-American list, including United academy midfielder Griffin Yow and Spirit academy forward Jordan Canniff.
NWSL, NWSLPA reach voluntary recognition agreement | NWSLsoccer.com
The NWSL and NWSL Players Association appear to be working more collaboratively than most leagues and players’ unions, which is a sensible choice given the need to strengthen the league.
Want a choice that isn’t sensible? How about the NCAA continuing to insist that soccer season has to take place in 3.5 months?
With at least 8 of the 16 @NCAASoccer Men’s 1st Rd games affected by terrible weather conditions today, it’s time for folks who oppose to rethink their position and to get behind the 21st Century 2 semester model if you genuinely care about SA experience!
— Sasho Cirovski (@SashoCirovski) November 15, 2018
That said, if you need a live soccer fix this weekend, college soccer has you covered. Here are the games being played in the DMV (home teams listed first):
Women’s tournament (Round of 16)
Today, 1:30pm: #1 Georgetown vs. Washington St.
Today, 2pm: Virginia Tech vs. Arkansas
Today, 4pm: #3 Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Men’s tournament (2nd round)
Sunday, 1pm: #11 Maryland vs. NC State
Sunday, 1pm: #10 Virginia vs. Furman
Sunday, 2pm: #13 Georgetown vs. West Virginia
Sunday, 3pm: #13 Virginia Tech vs. Charlotte
Sunday, 6pm: #5 North Carolina vs. James Madison
I think that’s about all I have for you. My advice for the weekend: Have a pizza.