Arriola’s brace for USMNT, Spirit start preseason & more: Freedom Kicks for 2/1/21

Hey there, don’t overdo it on the shoveling today, OK?

Tissoudali aangekomen op Gentse oefencomplex (GVA): Tarik Tissoudali is a Dutch-born winger who plays for Beerschot (7th in the Belgian League) and was headed for KAA Gent (12th in same) when apparently current D.C. United coach Hernan Losada (who coached him at Beerschot since taking over the club in 2019) made a push for his services in MLS. Whether it still happens or not as of this writing remains to be seen (Gent was reportedly doing a medical Sunday as part of a high six-figure deal), but you know more than you did before clicking on this.

How Swansea Could Line-Up with Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola (One Goal): We’ll see if this happens today! In case it does, you can prepare yourself.

Oh, and Paul did stuff in Sunday night’s United States game with Trinidad and Tobago, example 1:

And number two:

Former D.C. United executive Boris Flores dies of cancer (Soccer America): Boris did a lot for D.C. and their Latin outreach back in the day, his impact has been/continues to be missed.

Trinity Rodman has a new life in a new city. A former USWNT star will help her find her way. (WaPo): The Washington Spirit start preseason today and here’s a peek at a new acquisition.

Speaking of the Spirit, they’re getting a little funny at their camp:

Tigers place two on 2020-21 Hermann Watch List (Clemson): Recent D.C. United draft pick Kimarni Smith makes the list.

Ryan Martin: Loudoun United, coaching in the USL and Marsch inspiration (CFB Football): Ryan chats tactics, player development, and the like.

Jill Ellis to join Sacramento, work with NWSL, MLS clubs: Sources (Athletic, $): The onetime D.C. United candidate appears to have a gig lined up.

LAFC 2020 player postmortem: Adrien Perez (Angels on Parade): If you need a look at the modest acquisition from someone who watched him play, here you go.

Enough of new D.C. United players, let’s look at old ones. Chris Durkin scored for Sint Truiden yesterday in a 3-0 win, keeping them 14th in the 18 team Belgian League:

And Darren Mattocks has found a new club in Sudan:

Finally, Netflix keeps the soccer and/or interesting content rolling this month, with a documentary on Pele (following the success of the Diego Maradona feature). Reportedly this finds Pele a bit more frank than other projects, asking him about his personal matters and dealings with the government, so it could be interesting? Here’s the trailer: