News: Pre-season 2021 - The Hernan-era Begins!

Never heard of him. Complete mystery to me, and I am sure, everyone on this continent. Some MLS team must have scouted the most obscure reaches of the London Underground to discover this guy.

So, who holds his discovery rights?

 

Are you being sarcastic?

 

To be honest, I am not sure how they fit Sturridge on their team, financially or via roster rules. They have 4 DPs (2 are U-20 DPs, but still). They're in hot water over the Matuidi situation. MLS's website shows them at 9 internationals, with only 7 available slots, and this doesn't even count their young DPs. Maybe Miami are a front runner to sign him, but I don't know how they make it work.

 

Goff tweet:

British tabloid story says D.C. United in race with Inter Miami for forward Daniel Sturridge.

DCU responses: “🤣” and “false.”

Sturridge, 31, inactive since last March when he was suspended for breaching betting rules.#dcu #mls

— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) March 29, 2021

 

So what's the over/under on signing Sturridge?

 

I'll go way under. Hasn't played in a year, was frequently injured before then. If you want to go after wayward Euro strikers, go after Mario Balotelli who's (checks notes) playing in Serie B right now.

On second thought, Transfermarkt has Balotelli's transfer value the same as Ola Kamara's right now, so....

 

Sturbridge, Balotelli and Ozil seemingly get mentioned with DC every window.

 

I assume we will pursue Sturridge in a few years. He needs a bit more ripening.

 

Ponders a straight up trade and then flashes back to the Rooney tabloids ... and decides we'll live the current medicority.

 

I've heard Sergio Aguero is available. Maybe Losada knows about him?

 

The subject of discovery rights just brings out the Rickles in me.

 

Goff reports that Paul Arriola is back here recovering from a quad injury. Estimated recovery time is six weeks. Swansea loan is over.

 

Fingers crossed that means he'll be ready at some point during that 3-game May homestand.

 

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2021-mls-roster-rules-and-regulations

Not even MLS knows.

 

The rules to Clavinball are never written down, just made up as we play.

 

DCU falls to the Philadelphians 2-0.

 

Sounds about right.

 

Only thing that will be surprising is if David Beckham doesn't get some kind of LAG roster exception.

 

Maurer just posted a DCU Q&A with readers in the Athletic. I had to laugh at this in the comment section:

"Arriola will not be back on the field any sooner than if he had played out his loan. That's not a whine, just a fact.

Meanwhile, criminals have a new spook story to tell their kids at night: "Rat on your pop, and I'll loan you to Swansea."

 

I'm just happy enough the the FO is observant enough of tradition to know to send DC United players to English First Division (Championship) clubs so they can get injured and never be the same.

 

So you're saying Arriola will be the coach by the middle of 2024?