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D.C. United players not returning, MLS playoffs going on & more: Freedom Kicks for 11/26/18

Also, RIP Ricky Jay.

Hi. Whether it was current D.C. United player Wayne Rooney taking the family to Disneyland, Bill Hamid celebrating his 28th year of life, or former D.C. United player Rob Vincent announcing a new addition to his family, hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving in your own way as much as the team did.

Miranda ya no jugará en el DC United de EEUU (Unitel): So Bolivia TV seems to hint that D.C. United won’t pick up Bruno Miranda’s loan. Makes sense for a couple of different reasons, still a downer nonetheless.

Mattocks tight-lipped about future (Jamaica Star): This sure reads like Darren Mattocks is also out the door. These reports come ahead of this afternoon’s contract option exercise deadline at 1pm. Whether D.C. United announces then or not remains to be seen; teams announce these at their discretion.

Atlanta takes a 3-0 lead into the second leg of the Conference Finals (Dirty South Soccer): I missed the first game, but Atlanta United is making us all warm up a little for MPF isn't it? Charlie Boehm has more here.

Timbers play SKC to scoreless draw in Leg 1 of Western Conference Final (Stumptown Footy): Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City go goalless. Both games have their second legs on Thursday. The Blue Testament has more.

Hey, here’s Washington Spirit player Franny Ordega staying loose during some down time in Ghana. Nigeria could get into the World Cup with a win tomorrow:

Copa Libertadores final suspended after River Plate fans attack Boca Juniors team bus (SB Nation): The 2nd leg of the Copa Libertadores was supposed to be Saturday. Then it was supposed to be Sunday. Now? Early December-ish?

What fans of every MLS team should be thankful for this Thanksgiving (MLS): Moving into (or back) the recent holiday content, Andrew Wiebe’s suggestion is kind of obvious.

Mike Isabella sells his Wharf condo to a familiar D.C. name (WBJ): Spoiler: It’s Jason Levien.

The 27 most dominant soccer players in the world right now (Business Insider): Based on Whoscored, so...kind of right?

From Zlatan to the 2026 World Cup: The top 10 things U.S. soccer fans should be thankful for this year (Goal): Another year-end thing where D.C. United is present, what a world.

Finally, Ricky Jay, a magician who appeared in the work of David Mamet and Paul Thomas Anderson, passed over the weekend. The guy was a wealth of enigmatic behavior and card controlling expertise. If you have nothing to do this week, here is Jay’s 90s HBO special, “Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants,” for your review and bewilderment.