Friday Freedom Kicks: MLS playoffs, Washington Spirit GK coach departs, and more – Black And Red United

I need to go to sleep soon, so Im gonna try to sprint through here. Famous last words given my tendency to go long, but its worth a try.

1 year after multiple sclerosis diagnosis, WTOPs Dave Johnson looks back, forward | WTOPWe start with a look at D.C. United announcer Dave Johnsons ongoing battle with MS, which hasnt stopped him from maintaining his famously busy schedule being the voice for two local teams as well as shifts on the radio and the NBC4 sports desk.

Spirit Goalkeeping Coach Ian McCaldon Departs for FA WSL Side Everton FC | WashingtonSpirit.comIan McCaldon is leaving Richie Burkes staff to take a position with Everton, and given how highly everyone within the Washington Spirit organization rates him, its gotta be considered a blow. The Spirit have some time to fill this role (official training doesnt start back up until February), but it wouldnt shock me if we hear of a new hire well before then.

MLS lays off 20% of its staff as the financial impact of COVID-19 on sports continues | Yahoo SportsMLS is going through major layoffs, which is a real bummer. Its also not a surprise given the economic impact of the pandemic, which were a long way of being out of.

Play-off Countdown - Quioto: We need to have heart, passion and desire. | Mount Royal SoccerThe MLS playoffs start tonight, and if the Montreal Impact have any hope of shocking the New England Revolution in the early game (6:30pm), Romell Quioto is going to have to be just as dangerous as hes been all year...and hes gonna probably have to avoid two-hand shoves on unexpecting opposing players, because this time the referee might actually do something about it.

For the record, I think the Revs make it hard on themselves by giving up a set piece goal early, but ultimately the Impact defense has been dreadful all year (despite being a very low-block team often fielding five defenders), and eventually those mistakes give the Revs room to come back for a 2-1 win.

Sources: Five players to miss Inter Miamis playoff match vs. Nashville SC due to COVID-19 | SBI SoccerFirst of all, heres hoping for a speedy recovery for all of these players. I figured Nashville would win this game 1-0 before this news, but for Miami to lose five players on top of existing injuries...its going to take something truly wacky for the Music City boys to crash out at the first hurdle.

Heres some positive news:

Kathryn Nesbitt is MLSs AR of the Year, making it the first time in MLS history that an officiating award has gone to a woman.

The mastermind behind the Colorado Rapids set-piece brilliance | Denver PostSome of this is just having good delivery, but if youre not as diligent as the Rapids are on set piece design and training, youre leaving goals on the table.

Its just been such a grind: How TFC, Impact made the most of a second bubble | The AthleticThe details of life for MLSs Canadian teams this year have been even tougher than what everyone else has had to go through. Really good story from Sam Stejskal here getting the details on how theyve had to adapt to essentially living in US bubbles.

Angel City FC investor Cobi Jones says NWSL team should transcend MLS rivalry | LAG ConfidentialIts pretty easy to sort out the reasons Angel City chose Banc of California Stadium over Dignity Health Sports Park for their future home: its just better business due to the location, suites, age of the venue, and more. But this blew up, with fans in the region treating it as one more stage of the proxy war between the Galaxy and LAFC...even though Angel City is an independent entity. Galaxy legend Cobi Jones made the case for why this kerfuffle just doesnt hold much water.

Wrexham FC: Rob McElhenney pays 6,000 to adapt fans home | BBCJust days after taking over as part-owner of Wrexham, Rob McElhenney has covered the bill for remodeling the home of a supporter who suffers from cerebral palsy in order to make his life easier. Freedom Kicks might end up becoming a Rob McElhenney Update space, well see.

And finally, its the weekend. Dont be like this guy!

Originally posted here:
Friday Freedom Kicks: MLS playoffs, Washington Spirit GK coach departs, and more - Black And Red United