Daniel Sturridge to D.C. United?, Premier League agree to training return, and more: Freedom Kicks for 5/19/2020

Good morning friends! I thought I was getting an early start on today’s round of Freedom Kicks, but it turns out it’s already after midnight. A recurring theme in my life is that time is a concept I’m mostly aware of, like the specifics of rocketry or how to perform a surgical procedure. I know that there are rockets, and surgeries, and I even know some very basic things about them, but am I well-versed? Probably not, no! If I offer to perform surgery on you, or give you a chance to fly in a rocket I made, turn me down.

And now that we’re off to a weird start, let’s talk soccer:

Sturridge in talks over MLS move as Inter Miami and DC United want former Chelsea and Liverpool striker | Goal.com
What is it with D.C. United and no-chance rumors that won’t die? When times were tough, it was USYNT types, and now in the post-Wayne Rooney era, it’s random ex-Premier League guys. Daniel Sturridge may well want a big DP contract in MLS, but I’ve heard more than once that there’s nothing in this one.

And if you don’t believe me, how about someone with better sources:

Anyway, moving on:

It doesn’t surprise me to hear that United is interested in using facilities in Virginia (they own a stadium out there, after all), but local governments are staying cautious for a reason. That said, it wouldn’t shock me if we end up with individual, team-supervised workouts at Segra Field before more normal training at RFK’s auxiliary fields (or perhaps at Audi Field).

Armchair Analyst: The best 22 Under 22 contender on each MLS team | MLSsoccer.com
Moses Nyeman gets some love here, but I’d add my own take: I don’t think the gap in terms of potential between him and United’s other teenagers is as big as this makes it sound.

Gressel Special Episode 4 | Russell Canouse | DCUnited.com
United’s German speakers are in fine form here...or they were, when this posted back on Friday. Still good now! Videos do not spoil like food.

Week 12 simulated on FIFA 20: Here’s how MLS games could have gone | MLSsoccer.com
Really dislike a home draw with Orlando (which FIFA apparently vastly overrates), but I do like a late Griffin Yow equalizer.

MLS Legends: Roy Lassiter on MLS memories, Carlos Valderrama and more | MLSsoccer.com
Roy Lassiter looks back on his time in MLS, citing his time with the Black-and-Red as his favorite memory.

On the Washington Spirit front, you can hear from Aubrey Bledsoe, Tori Huster, and Andi Sullivan (a.k.a. the team’s core leadership) along with head coach Richie Burke this evening:

Premier League clubs unanimously agree to return to training | We Ain’t Got No History
Big surprise, right? The plans sound pretty familiar.

A South Korean club may have used sex dolls as fans | SB Nation
The fates spun the weird wheel, and this is where it landed yesterday: masks advertising sex dolls, on sex dolls, filling maybe 5% of the empty seats in a stadium that is nonetheless lacking in authentic crowd noise.

Miss your favorite MLS Classic? Find it and watch it on ESPN+ | MLSsoccer.com
If you want a list of LA Galaxy games that you can watch, here you go. Seriously, there are 19 games featuring them, and 2 with United. It’s gross, but if you want some soccer, these are some games.

How Deportivo toppled Barcelona, Real Madrid to win La Liga in 1999-2000, as told by the players who did it | ESPN
This was a really cool era: the giants were still giants, but it was possible for a genuinely plucky challenger to win it all in Spain. Super Depor won the league in 2000 (with Real Zaragoza finishing 3rd) and were a real contender several other times, and one year Real Madrid needed a win on the final day on the season to eke out a championship ahead of Real Sociedad. Clubs like Mallorca and Celta Vigo qualified for the Champions League.

It was wild...until the giants consolidated and ruined the party.

Struggling Breweries, Wineries, Cideries Get A Lifeline From Direct Sales | WAMU.org
I might have to give Biermi a shot.

That’s all I’ve got for you. Enjoy your Tuesday!