New Loudoun United coach hired, Europa League final, and more: Freedom Kicks for May 29, 2019

Happy Wednesday folks. It’s another D.C. United Wednesday as they try to get 3 points against the Chicago Fire tonight (8:00pm, Flo Sports). There’s also the Europa League final (3:00pm, TNT) between Chelsea and Arsenal. Who will hoist the 2nd-most prestigious trophy in European club soccer? Finally, there’s U.S. Open Cup action tonight as well. Lots of soccer today!

Before we get into the news, D.C. United academy (and United States U-17) prodigy Bryang Kayo trained with the combined USMNT/U.S. U-23 squad today in Annapolis. What a big deal for a kid who is quickly rising through the ranks.

Now, the news from yesterday:

Ryan Martin to become Loudoun United coach | Black and Red United
Ryan Martin, the current DCU Academy director, will take over as the new Loudoun United head coach, replacing Richie WIlliams who will join Bruce Arena’s staff with the New England Revolution.

USMNT has five goalkeepers on roster. D.C. United’s Bill Hamid is not one of them. | Washington Post
Bill Hamid discusses not being named to the USMNT provisional roster for the Gold Cup and what he needs to do to get back into the national picture.

Match-fixing in football: Spanish police make arrests in top two divisions | BBC
Several players and others from La Liga’s Real Valladolid and Liga Segunda’s Huesca were arrested amid a match-fixing probe.

Neymar stripped of Brazil national team captaincy | ESPNFC
Brazil is hosting Copa America, and will be trying to win it all with a new captain. Neymar was stripped of the captain’s armband, and Dani Alves will lead the squad next month.

MLS, Liga MX will announce eight-team Leagues Cup tournament to start in July | The Athletic
The new Superliga is here. The Chicago Fire, the Houston Dynamo, the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake will square off against Liga MX teams Club America, Cruz Azul, Tigres and Club Tijuana in the new tournament this summer. NBC Sports has more for those who aren’t The Athletic subscribers.

Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid captain wants to go to China, says Florentino Perez | BBC
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos may be on his way out of the Spanish capital, possibly to China, but president Florentino Perez says it will not be for free. We’ll add that to the pile of transfer rumors coming from the Bernabeu.

American Spirit: Gregg Berhalter’s plan to revive U.S. Men’s Soccer | The Athletic
A look at Gregg Berhalter’s hybrid plan to bring the USMNT back from its lowest point to get back to greatness in CONCACAF and return to the World Cup in 2022.

Barcelona legend Xavi named head coach of Qatari club Al Sadd | BBC
Xavi played more than 100 matches for Qatar side Al Sadd before retiring at the end of this season, capping an incredible career. He will now become their head coach.

See you at Audi Field tonight!