Paul Arriola potentially back for D.C. United, Cheyna Matthews to Racing Louisville, and more: Freedom Kicks for 11/3/2020

Morning, folks! I hope you’ve had time to vote already, or have figured out how you’re going to do so today. Not that you need my advice, but I’d also recommend carving out some time off of social media, because it promises to be a day of anger-making takes and other dubious nonsense.

Now, with that out of the way, here’s some good news:

D.C. United’s Paul Arriola expected back Sunday, nearly nine months after ACL injury | Washington Post
Just as I was sitting here with my yogurt and coffee thinking “boy, I wish I had some D.C. United news for this morning’s Freedom Kicks,” Steve Goff came through with the big news: Paul Arriola, who has missed the entire season up until this point, is most likely going to be in uniform for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Montreal Impact. Great news for him, and for a United team that could use a boost in what is a must-win game.

There’s also a brief coaching search update on Ezra Hendrickson, who won the 2004 MLS Cup with the Black-and-Red.

Former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre says he’s eyeing an MLS job | MLSsoccer.com
No direct United mention here, but there are only so many teams looking for a coach. Between Mexico, Liga MX, top-flight Spanish clubs, and Japan’s national team, Javier Aguirre would be an extremely experienced option, if in fact United is interested.

Brian Schmetzer contract talks stalled; current Sounders deal expires in 2020 | The Athletic
Staying with things that could be rumors but are not definitely rumors, the Seattle Sounders and Brian Schmetzer could be on the outs. I’d say the strong odds are in favor of them reaching a deal, and there are no links to a United move for him yet, but if you told me United was going to lure away a guy whose teams have been a contender year-in and year-out...yeah I could handle that.

In news that isn’t entirely shocking, Washington Spirit attacker Cheyna Matthews (who was waived in order to resume her playing career closer to family), was picked by Racing Louisville in the NWSL Re-Entry Wire:

Matthews would have certainly had a substantial role to play if she had come back from pregnancy to play for the Spirit again, but doing right by your players is a hard thing to take issue with. She’s going to be a quick fan favorite in Louisville for sure.

Diego Maradona es internado en La Plata: Últimas noticias en vivo | Marca
Diego Maradona is in the hospital, and while yesterday I saw tweets claiming depression or a stroke, Marca quotes a doctor saying it’s anemia and severe dehydration.

Valencia’s Yunus Musah to get USMNT call-up in roster for friendly vs. Wales | The Athletic
Valencia winger Yunus Musah, who has previously been a member of England’s under-18 team, has accepted a USMNT call-up after breaking through as a starter this season. At 17 years old, that’s a pretty big deal.

Apparently US Soccer has decided to drop its camp roster on Election Day, which is either going to completely bury it news-wise, or is a welcome distraction on a day that might be tough to endure:

Driverless race car sums up 2020 by swerving into a wall for no reason | Mashable
Let’s finish up with some good old fashioned slapstick comedy from an unexpected source. Thank you robot car!

Alright, that’s all I’ve got for you. Please go vote, or track your vote if you already sent it in, and be good to one another.