D.C. United signings new (and old?), USOC changes & more: Freedom Kicks for 2/8/20

Hey, I don’t know about you, but being stuck in the snow with an illness bound toddler could be better!

D.C. United considers second look at Andy Najar, the 2010 MLS rookie of the year (WaPo): I’ve seen some weird overcompensation on both sides after this news, and I think to expect a guy who’s played around 3,000 minutes in the last four and a half years (half of which was in 2018-19!) to magically reclaim his mojo is a long ask. If he appears in, say, 10 games, let’s call that a success, and anything else is house money.

There’s also this endorsement:

D.C. United signs 2021 first-round pick Michael DeShields (us): Hey, this is also good! More from Goff, along with a long-awaited assistant coach announcement.

Jason Levien: Swansea City co-owner admits mistakes but plans for long term (BBC): For your consumption/conflation. Some of the questions are dumb, but it seems like he’s painting the picture of what D.C. will be, as what they are now is kind of Swans circa 2018 or so.

US Open Cup Committee minutes: Foreign player limit gone; canceled 2020 plans (The Cup): I’m not sure if this had been shared when U.S. Soccer mentioned it, but of note whenever it is this year’s USOC starts becoming relevant.

Here’s Catarina Macario making her pro debut overseas:

Oh, and last week I put the Pele teaser in here, now the trailer is out, and looks markedly more intriguing now: