Hello and welcome to another edition of three DMV Soccer-Related Thoughts! It was a pretty momentous week here in the DMV with D.C. United making picks, a few Spirit players making waves with the USWNT, and the Baltimore Blast! So let’s get to it!
DMV Soccer-Related Thought #1: United Did What They Needed To Do At The SuperDraft
D.C. United supporters got a little more clarity as to what the club’s vision will look like going forward with their picks in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. In the first round United selected Clemson forward Kimrani Smith with the fourth overall pick and moved up to take Wake Forest defender Michael DeShields with the fifth overall pick. The club also selected midfielder Logan Panchot from Stanford University in the second round.
Making sense where all three players fit in United’s plans is a bit of a challenge given that: a.) United just signed coach Hernan Losada last week and b.) no one is quite sure when the league will begin. But both Smith and DeShields do fit needs for United. Smith, who played youth soccer at Sheffield United and spent the past summer playing Greenville FC in the USL will likely be thrown directly in the striker battle with Ola Kamara and Erik Sorga. What is key to note is that Smith has not signed with an agent yet meaning that he could end up playing with Clemson this spring. Given the uncertainties with the league start date and with Smith taking an international spot it may make sense for him to go back to the Tigers until things get settled.
As for DeShields, his path to playing time is a little more clear. United will likely use Donovan Pines and Frederic Brilliant at center-back with Steve Birnbaum out for the next 2-3 months due to injury. Beyond that, the club doesn’t have much in the way of depth at center-back and Brilliant is very clearly in the twilight of his career. That leads to a big opportunity for DeShields, who can also play right-back. Given United’s depth in the midfield Panchot will most likely be sent to Loudoun.
The fundamental problem with these picks for United is the same conundrum that all clubs face: the value of the players that they have picked is largely unknown. As opposed to other American sports leagues, the SuperDraft is not typically where teams can do a roster overhaul. Looking back through the years more often than not SuperDraft picks end up having modest success rather than becoming All-Stars or League MVPs. With teams snapping players up much earlier through their Academies that gulf has only expanded. So the hope for United should be that Smith, DeShields, and Panchot can fill a need and not necessarily completely change their fortunes.
DMV Soccer-Related Thought #2: Spirit’s Sonnett, O’Hara Shines In USWNT Friendlies
The Washington Spirit were very well-represented in the United States Women’s National Team’s two friendlies this week against Colombia with Kelley O’Hara and Emily Sonnett both having strong performances. In the U.S.’ 4-0 on Tuesday O’Hara put in 72 minutes while Sonnett played the final 18 minutes. Sonnett played the full 90 in Friday’s 6-0 win, earning an assist off of a super strike by Megan Rapinoe in the 35th minute.
In terms of their performances both Sonnett and O’Hara did an excellent job at maintaining the organization of the backline and keeping possession. Colombia struggled to make any real dent into the USWNT’s defensive third which is a testament to how strong this side truly is. The Spirit should be pleased with what they saw from their two new defenders as well as with the progress that midfielder Andi Sullivan made during USWNT training camp.
(Quick sidebar: How incredible was Catarina Macario? The Stanford alum had an incredible series of matches, playing a style that seemed to mix the fearlessness of Marta and the creativity of a Rose LaVelle or Ronaldinho. Her ability to read a defender, make a pinpoint decision, and execute was simply outstanding. Playing for Lyon was an excellent move for her as she should hopefully get more experience with one of the top clubs in the world).
Sidebar #3: Blast Are Out For The MASL Season
Last week, Michael Lewis of FrontRowSoccer reported that the Baltimore Blast would not be participating in the 2021 MASL season due to COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Maryland.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and no facility to play in, at this time we will not be playing the 2020-2021 season,” the club announced on its website Friday. “After trying to play at Towson University, Essex Community College, and various stadiums at other colleges and local high schools with our indoor field, we have not been successful. If anything changes quickly, whether it is a vaccine or a playing facility, the Baltimore Blast will play.”
The Blast cancelling their season is a massive deal for two reasons. First, the Blast have played indoor soccer for the past 40 years, dating back to 1979. Considering some of the leagues and situations that the club has come across it is incredible to think that anything could really stop the team from playing. The Blast do not receive the credit that they get in this region for keeping soccer alive at the professional level for looong stretches. It is a symptom of certain sectors of the soccer thumbing their noses at indoor soccer.
Second, they might not need to be the only club to take a pause at least for the interim. Sports across the world right now are hurting financially and in particular clubs/teams at the lower levels. While sides at the top have their television revenue to lean on teams at the lower end are struggling. Without the revenue accrued from ticket sales and at matches (alcohol, t-shirts, food, etc.) teams are struggling to make ends meet. The longer that restrictions are in place the harder it will be for clubs to continue. It is that simple.
There was something at the bottom of the Blast’s press release though that I thought was important: “The health of our fans, players, staff and sponsors are our top priority.” While the focus in the sports world has been on the financial losses that teams have incurred, and that is an important item, the general health of our population seems to at times take a back seat. Our sports cannot run as we all know and love them right because there is a pandemic going that has killed 360,000 people here in the United States and millions worldwide. Some things are bigger than sports and our society needs to recognize that.
Quick Morton and Rowland Cup Thought: If you are looking for my photos from last weekend’s action click on the link below!
Honeyball Soccer 