The Daily Dirt March 13, 2018: Ah boy, I’m just so tired of all these Star Wars

There’s been much talk about signing a no. 6 and I’m sure there will be more of it. Jeff Larentowicz is 34 years old and his backup isn’t particularly well suited to the system Atlanta United plays. Still, Jeff had a terrific game on Sunday and shut down a team that seemingly had Atlanta all figured out. Bobby Warshaw over at MLS has a really good breakdown of what made Jeff so good in the game complete with what looks like graphics made with the help of MS paint - though Bobby strikes me as an Apple guy for some reason. In any case, I still think everyone would feel much better if Atlanta were to have a natural center back to fill in for Michael Parkhurst or Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez and a capable back up for Larry when he isn’t available as well.

Anyway, onto the Dirt...

Domestic

Stars and Stripes FC runs an entertaining weekly post with soccer news - this week they took a look at what is going on with Atlanta United and Andrew Carleton. I think it’s pretty good analysis on the #PlayYerKids narrative that’s been so dominant in 2018.

Let’s check in on where Atlanta United stands on qualifying for Concacaf Champions League:

Hiding under the tarps for the past few seasons at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas was the construction for the new National Soccer Hall of Fame. It will open in 2018 and the class that will be inducted this year could include Steve Cherundolo, Pablo Mastroeni, Heather Mitts, and, uh, David Beckham? Joining them is Atlanta United’s own Carlos Bocanegra as well.

Incredibly, Didier Drogba turned 40 this week and has announced that after this year with Phoenix Rising he will retire. The forward had one and a half memorable seasons in MLS featuring 11 goals in 11 games to start his time in the league and then a kind of weird falling out with the Montreal Impact. Still he had 21 goals in 33 games when he was in Canada.

With the Utah Royals being moved from Kansas City by Real Salt Lake and the Boston Breakers folding, the NWSL has two fewer independently owned clubs. Hot Time in Old Time spoke with Chicago Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler.

International

Paraguay has announced its roster for the friendly against the USMNT later this month. There’s a familiar name on the list - it might be a chance for Miggy to be on the other side of the field lining up against Brad Guzan, Greg Garza, and Darlington Nagbe.

Jose Mourinho had some choice words for Frank de Boer about his handling of Marcus Rashford’s playing time, tl/dr “Look at meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” - JM. Jose will probably go for another season at Manchester United before getting bored or wearing out his welcome and de Boer is probably on the short list for the USMNT job.

Luke Skywalker isn’t a soccer fan, but he still got into some bantz with James Rushton of SBN Blog 7500 to Holte.

Goal of the day

OK, so that wasn’t like a real person goal so there’s this too...

You should look at

This terrifying video of a 90 foot penguin terrorizing the citizens of Antarctica (had to do a clickbait title there - it’s a fun video anyway).