D.C. United transfer rumors, breakout players & more: Freedom Kicks for 3/1/21

Hey there, I’m getting my oil changed as you read this, so hopefully, there’s good news as players go through physicals and the like!

Brendan Hines-Ike arrives in Washington to finalize loan with D.C. United (WaPo): BHI didn’t play Saturday, so that would explain why. Nigel Robertha played for Levski Sofia Sunday as D.C. United officials continue to woo him to America and away from Sweden’s Malmo FF and a shot at Champions League play.

Then there was this Sunday night:

Bolivar has those 4 goals over two seasons. He’s played in about a fifth of the minutes Robertha has and would presumably be a longer-term project (next to say, DLG teammate and recent Loudoun United signing Darluis Paz), so this tidbit comes off as strange to me, and if D.C. misses on Robertha, a noticeable fallback.

Top 10 breakout player candidates for the 2021 MLS season (MLS): Which D.C. United player is in here? Come and see.

As season nears, Old Glory DC Rugby gets in-person attendance boost (WTOP): While the Washington Spirit and Loudoun United don’t have schedules yet, another Segra Field attendant will have fannies in the stands.

Speaking of Loudoun United, their opponents for 2021 may be coming into shape:

Paul Arriola trying to strike balance between Premier League hopes and MLS realities (WaPo): So Paul wants to play, and Swansea manager Steve Cooper said last week that he was on a different conditioning plan than Jordan Morris, and is being brought along a little slower. Whether Swansea (who have lost 2 of 3 but remain in the promotion playoff hunt) bring him in sooner or start him to shake things up remains to be seen, but for whatever it’s worth.

Olympic Champ Briana Scurry Continues to Be a Pioneer - WCP: Really enjoying her foray back with D.C. WoSo.

Marco Etcheverry en la antesala del Bolivia vs Perú: “Edison Flores es un ‘jugadorazo’” (Libero): In short, game recognize game.

Building the District (Club Eleven): A look at a perhaps unheralded but significant presence in the DMV soccer space.

Ron Burkle pulls out as MLS expansion team owner in Sacramento (Indomitable City Soccer): A Friday night stunner as Sactown is, well, who knows?

How data is pushing Twitter scouts and bloggers into football’s big-time (Guardian): In case you hadn’t heard the analytics case made for Wayne Rooney coming to D.C., here you go.

Finally, HBO is releasing a documentary on Tina Turner next month. Having seen and been impressed by the Bee Gees one, I feel like this will blow the doors off somehow.