Minutes from the Committee Meeting
December 19, 2025 — Committee Meeting # 21
Thanks for enjoying Kickback Minutes! With all domestic leagues but the USL Super League going dormant, we’ll be shifting some of our sections to focus on offseason coverage.
We hope you enjoy!
Agenda Items 📋:
- The Trinity Rodman saga in NWSL has gotten much bigger than just the Washington Spirit’s attempt to retain the face of the League. Following an intervention by the NWSL Commissioner preventing the Spirit from using a creative means to (legally) re-sign Rodman in the face of significant offers from abroad, the NWSL announced a new “High Impact Player” fund of an extra million dollars per team.
- The rules of what qualifies a High Impact Player are under debate, but the Players’ Association has already intervened, questioning the directive and pushing for the million dollars per club to simply be converted into additional cap space. With so much of the roster rules in flux, the NWSL offseason has started more mildly.
- In MLS, St. Louis CITY has announced their new manager, Yoann Damet. The 35-year-old manager is well known by Sporting Director Corey Wray, as Damet fortified his reputation as the lead assistant at Wray’s former club, Columbus Crew. Damet’s apprenticeship under tactical mastermind Wilfried Nancy points toward a 180 degree shift from a pure gegenpress system toward a possession-centered strategy.
- The last final of 2025 was the NCAA men’s title between Washington and NC State, which saw Washington overcome a late equalizer with a Golden Goal at the start of overtime to win this year’s title. Washington’s path to glory is a bit of a trend bucker, featuring a roster with 20 players from the state, in contradiction to the success international-leaning rosters have had in recent years.
This Week's Biggest Signings:
Dayne St. Clair, Inter Miami (Previously: Minnesota United): Ughhhhhhhh, says every non-Inter Miami fan in the League. The MLS Cup winners just upgraded their weakest position via Free Agency with the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, and arguably the premier shot-stopper in the League. Who knows how you beat this side in 2026.
Sophia Wilson, Portland Thorns (Previously: Portland Thorns): One of the USWNT’s and NWSL’s stars is staying put, picking up her option for 2026 following a maternity absence in 2025. Wilson will rejoin a Thorns side that has seen attacking midfielder Olivia Moultrie level up, and hope to be the final piece to put them back in the winner’s circle in 2026.
Brooklyn Raines, New England Revolution (Previously: Houston Dynamo): New Revs head coach Marko Mitrovic reaches into his bag and pulls out his star defensive midfielder from his US U20’s team, Brooklyn Raines. The advanced analytics absolutely loved Raines at the World Cup, and Mitrovic seems to get the best out of him. Could their pairing put Raines in the USMNT picture?
Aaron Molloy, Lexington FC (Previously: Charleston Battery): Lexington FC means business. The Kentucky-based USL Championship only moved up from League One last year, but they’re already breaking a USL Intra-league transfer record. Molloy is with the honors, too, having earned an astounding four consecutive Best XI honors from central midfield.
Walker Zimmerman, Toronto FC (Previously: Nashville SC): One of the best MLS defenders of the past decade makes the Free Agency move to the north, where Toronto FC will hope he can solidify one of the weakest backlines in MLS. For Nashville, Zimmerman’s departure opens up a DP spot.
Jakob Glesnes, LA Galaxy (Previously: Philadelphia Union): The two-time and 2024 MLS Best XI defender is part of the Union’s now-annual offseason makeover, heading to L.A. in a trade. Glesnes will be the most MLS proven defender the Galaxy have featured in a few years, seriously bolstering their hopes of rejoining the MLS elite. For the Union, they again go younger, betting their ability to identify and develop young talent remains unmatched.
Moves to Watch:
Columbus Crew Head Coach
An unprecedented situation could be unfolding, as the Crew’s recently departed head coach Wilfried Nancy may become the prime candidate to replace himself. Nancy, considered by many to be MLS’s best coach of the decade, has had a rough go of it early in his tenure at Celtic, and is rumored to be on the outs. Could Nancy be rejoining the Crew before pre-season even begins?
Lucia Di Guglielmo (AS Roma -> Washington Spirit)
Most of the focus is on the Spirit’s efforts to re-sign Trinity Rodman, but you can’t expect a Michelle Kang owned team to stop trying to spend. Di Guglielmo would bolster both the Spirit’s backline and their Italian presence, as the Italian international fullback would join with the ability to play on either flank.
Minnesota United’s Whole Thing
Minnesota United’s success in 2025 was tied to one of the most unique styles-of-play in the world, heavily emphasizing set pieces and long throws and playing against the ball. However, the midseason sale of their star striker and the new departure of the League’s best goalkeeper puts into question where they go from here. They were rumored to be in the mix to buy Chicago Fire playmaker Brian Gutierrez, so perhaps a more focus on-the-ball is in their future.
Insider Conversation of the Week: Future of the Superdraft
By John Parker
The MLS Superdraft was conducted this Thursday, with D.C. United selecting N.C. State defender Nikola Markovic first overall.
If you missed it, you’re not to be blamed. In the era of fully professionalized academies and MLS Next Pro, the draft’s relevance has been downplayed. While enterprising teams still find a diamond in the rough (Manuel Duah in San Diego, Moise Bombito in Colorado, and the long-line of strikers selected by Orlando City, the draft has been superseded by Academies as the main source for young, cap-friendly, high value talent.
Increasingly, prognosticators and fans are asking if there’s not a better way. NWSL did carve a new path by abolishing the draft process and allowing players to negotiate directly with teams. With the college pathway now more a secondary route, it does make sense to see players end up in the developmental environment where they’re most wanted, as dictated by the marketplace.
Restrictions would need to be put in place to protect MLS academies, but as youth development is increasingly prioritized, it makes sense to better accommodate the college pathway in the new status quo.
Susannah “Cup Should Always Be” Fuller’s Cocktail Recipe of the Week:
From our Committee Chair, Susannah Fuller, who undergoes her last chemo treatment today!
“We’re going with a red, champagne cocktail because 1) I’m celebrating 2) this latest chemo I’m on is nicknamed The Red Devil. True story. It’s typically called a Poinsettia but I’m renaming it the “Sooz conquered Chemo Christmas Cocktail!” I’m a sucker for alliteration.”
Alright y’all, we’re toasting Sooz today with with the eponymous Sooz cocktail:
- A tall champagne flute.
- 2 oz cranberry juice.
- ½ oz cointreau or grand marnier.
- Top with 3.5 oz champagne.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig and cranberries.
From Sooz: “RAISE A DAMN GLASS TO YOUR GIRL AND ENJOY🥂.”
As enjoying, please tag us @kickbackcommittee on Bluesky or @kicbackcmte on IG to celebrate Sooz’s completion of chemo so we can repost!
Action Items, Kickback:
Soccerwise: We interviewed Chicago Fire’s Gregg Berhalter, and inaugural Denver Summit coach Nick Cushing in advance of major offseasons at each respective club.
Kickback Committee: It’s a Susannah Fuller celebration as bestie Jill Sakovits makes a surprise appearance to celebrate Sooz’s completion of chemo.
First Touch: We’re continuing to release a new podcast every day encapsulating the soccer culture, identity, and World Cup hopes of every qualified World Cup country…all in under 20 minutes.