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Good morning, here’s Paul Arriola with your wake-up call:
WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER pic.twitter.com/3ozEn3DMQU
— Paul Arriola (@PaulArriola) August 18, 2020
That looks like someone who is closer than we might have expected to returning for D.C. United! I don’t think he’s coming back this week or anything, but the chances of Arriola playing for United in 2020 feel pretty decent at this point. Hopefully that’s how this plays out.
Speaking of the Black-and-Red, media will get the chance to speak, via the internet, to Ben Olsen and players tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll have some news for you before Friday’s game. Yes, they play this Friday. No, I can’t really believe it either.
Meanwhile in Washington Spirit news, I had a really fun chat with center back Paige Nielsen for the latest episode of Plex Weather:
After a little time off, Plex Weather's back! @Paigenielsen joins the show to talk #CatchTheSpirit, her own role within the team, her experiences abroad, and what things were like in the #NWSL bubble https://t.co/XWFNm4Ejx4
— Plex Weather (@PlexWeather) August 17, 2020
Speaking of the Spirit, head coach Richie Burke made the case for why the team opted to trade Rose Lavelle:
WATCH - "We have on our team right now the three or four players who are potentially going to surpass Mal Pugh and Rose Lavelle on our football club"
— Scott Abraham (@ScottABC7) August 17, 2020
I talked with @WashSpirit head coach Richie Burke today about trading away USWNT player Rose Lavelle.
More on @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/6XNk3nbL5t
It’s a tough case to make, but if Lavelle was going to sign abroad (as appears to be the case), getting something via trade rather than nothing than the hope she comes back is a reasonable position. It might not be a lot of fun for fans, but we don’t know exactly what NWSL has to offer players between now and the Olympics.
For more on the Lavelle trade, listen in to the latest Total Soccer Show:
New show! Talking Messi, what to watch for in the Champions League semis, plus the Mewis and Lavelle transfers: https://t.co/Ye8vXbxZEN -d
— Total Soccer Show (@TotalSoccerShow) August 18, 2020
US Open Cup officially cancelled for first time in tournament’s 106-year history | TheCup.us
We talked about it last week, it’s not a surprise, and there’s no viable way to do anything other than cancel the tournament, but nonetheless this one hurts for yours truly.
MLS, U.S. Soccer Score Content Distribution Deal With Bleacher Report | Front Office Sports
Business jargon aside, this could be a sign of what’s to come when MLS starts the talks on its next major broadcast deal, as Bleacher Report is owned by Turner Broadcasting.
In NWSL news, the North Carolina Courage have confirmed contract extensions for strikers Lynn Williams and Jess McDonald, and reportedly have done the same with Debinha, who over the past year or so has taken a step forward into “world class” status:
More #NWSL and NC Courage news from me: Debinha has signed a multi-year contract extension to stay in North Carolina. Unclear as of yet if allocation money was used. She's probably the best player in the league right now.
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) August 17, 2020
Crew complete trade with FC Cincinnati for Fatai Alashe | Massive Report
Gotta admit, this one’s a puzzler for me. Caleb Porter seemed to have reasonable depth at defensive midfield and at center back during MLS is Back, and those are the positions Fatai Alashe plays. It makes me wonder if there’s not another move to follow.
OFFICIAL: Barcelona sack Quique Setien, announce elections for March | Barca Blaugranes
Look, I don’t know a lot about coaching Barcelona, or any other international super club. But what I do know is that if you’re coaching one of those teams, you can’t lose 8-2 to anyone.
And on that note, enjoy your Tuesday!