Carlo Ancelotti moves to Real Madrid, MLS planning 3rd division league, and more: Freedom Kicks for June 2, 2021

Happy Wednesday, everyone. We begin with some great news for me and bad news if you’re a fan of Everton:

Carlo Ancelotti makes shock return to Real Madrid after leaving Everton - ESPNFC

Carlo Ancelotti is the new manager at Real Madrid, replacing Zinedine Zidane. Everton is left looking for a new coach abruptly after Ancelotti’s move.

MLS aiming to launch new U.S. lower-division league in 2022, sources say - The Athletic

Major League Soccer is set on debuting a new league in 2022, and they indicate that at least half of the league’s teams will have a II team in it. They have applied for 3rd division sanctioning with U.S. Soccer. We’ll see what that means for Loudoun United or for our friends down the road in Richmond.

Copa America: Brazil’s president defends decision to host - BBC

Copa America is moving to Brazil because the president wants it to happen. The state governments have said no to hosting matches, so this has become the biggest drama in soccer this side of the Super League.

Steph Yang: Telling women’s soccer stories, so the next person can too - The Athletic

Huge congrats to my friend Steph Yang, who started on her first day as a full-time women’s soccer reporter for The Athletic. I’m going to miss her, as she helped me run Stars & Stripes FC in addition to also heading up All for XI. The Athletic is getting a great one.

EA Sports is putting retro kits from the league’s inaugural season on Ultimate Team. However, there’s a team that’s missing...

Yep, no ‘96 D.C. United jersey to be had. I don’t like this.

7News Exclusive: DC United’s new general manager shares experience, words of wisdom - WJLA

ABC7 sits down with new United GM Lucy Rushton to discuss her plans and being the team’s first woman GM.

Finally, if you’re headed to the Loudoun United match tonight, a familiar face will be in the building:

Enjoy the day, y’all!