MLS launches developmental league, Washington Spirit panel, and more: Freedom Kicks for 6/22/2021

Well hello! We have a D.C. United game literally tomorrow, a little news from around MLS and NWSL, something from this “Euro 2020” tournament I keep hearing about, and we’ll finish up with a comedy bit that has never been good, which is why it’s so good. Let’s go!

Let’s start with some coaching analysis centering on Hernán Losada:

It obviously worked, whatever it is.

Moving on, some funny news in the aftermath of that last United game that we just had happen:

It did take him a pretty long time to make his way to the tunnel.

More importantly, the Spirit will be holding a panel on inclusivity, equality and allyship including Kumi Yokoyama, team president of business operations Lindsay Barenz, and Charity Blackwell from DC SCORES in just over a week. I’ve already signed up, and you can too:

Four things about the Washington Spirit’s tough draw with the Chicago Red Stars | Black and Red United
Me and André have some thoughts on the Spirit’s draw in Chicago, which was a mixed bag for sure.

Another Spirit note: Sweden’s Olympic roster is supposedly due to be announced today, which has a major impact on Julia Roddar’s summer plans. Not sure when the USWNT roster comes out, but it seems safe to say very soon. So far, Saori Takarada (Japan) is the lone Olympic call-up on the team, but that number’s gonna go up.

Major League Soccer Launches New Professional League | MLSsoccer.com
It’s been reported previously by The Athletic, and now MLS has confirmed that their developmental league is coming in 2022. What does this mean for United, who already have Loudoun United playing in the USL Championship? I’m not sure! It sounds like MLS is gonna want to bring USL affiliate teams owned by an MLS club to join in, but until DCU says for sure, we can’t say.

Chicago Fire FC Hires Patrick Nyarko as Academy Coach | ChicagoFireFC.com
Former United winger Patrick Nyarko will be an assistant coach with the Fire U19s.

Jess Fishlock still is one of the most complete midfielders in the NWSL | All for XI
Jess Fishlock isn’t going to the Olympics because Team GB completely bungled their roster by leaving out literally their best midfielder, which means OL Reign will have her and Dzsenifer Marozsan figuring things out just as most NWSL teams are short some players.

Chile covers Nike logo on their kits amidst contract dispute | The Athletic
Chile’s Copa America adventure, which already included drone battles, has now expanded to a fight with Nike.

Sources: Houston’s Christian Ramirez nearing Aberdeen FC transfer | MLSsoccer.com
Well...OK then.

Euro 2020: England’s Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount to self-isolate after Gilmour Covid-19 test | BBC
The summer international tournaments this remain a bad idea for a range of reasons. This is one of them!

Raiders player Carl Nassib comes out as gay, first active player in NFL history | Outsports
It’s very rare that I say “good and cool news from the NFL,” but this news is good and cool!

Finally, let’s close with one of the last episodes of Conan before he moves to HBO Max, and maybe my favorite late night talk show bit ever. Paul Rudd has been coming on the show promising a clip of whatever he’s promoting, and then playing the same clip from a terrible movie called Mac & Me for about 20 years, and he came out and did it again:

Happy Tuesday! Commit to the most pointless bit you’re up to!