Minutes from the Committee Meeting

August 22, 2025 — Committee Meeting # 4

Review of the Previous Week’s Group Chat:

Things are getting dark in the Kickback Committee group chat (tbf it’s always pretty dark).

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Agenda Items:

Happy Tom Bogert week! It’s the close of the MLS transfer window, and MLS clubs were as active as ever. The biggest move to catch our eye? The Colorado Rapids parlayed their $8m sale of their star playmaker Djordje Mihailovic into a record $8m+ acquisition of USMNT hopeful Paxten Aaronson. Aaronson, still only 21, is a former Philadelphia Union Academy starlet who starred for FC Utrecht of the Netherlands last season while on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. The ambition is big from the Rapids, and we’re here for that! For all of the MLS transfer window news, check out our special Soccerwise episode with David Gass, Andrew Wiebe, and Tom Bogert.

We wish we could just post USWNT legendary goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s first ever goal. Seriously, the Chicago Stars comeback against the Seattle Reign was a match for the ages. However, the big story of the week was the dangerous heat surrounding the Kansas City Current vs. Orlando Pride match, which was still played following an extreme heat delay and multiple fans being treated for heat-related illness. To make matters worse, reports surfaced that Commissioner Jessica Berman threatened to fine the Current if the scheduled broadcast window was missed - all in service of a languid 0-0 draw.

Is Gio Reyna finally making his move from Borussia Dortmund? The American former wonderkid has barely seen minutes at Borussia Dortmund over the past few years, as successive injuries buried him deeper down the roster. Serie A’s Parma seemed to be the destination, but now the Bundesliga’s Borussia Mönchengladbach is making a charge for his signature. All eyes will be on Reyna wherever he ends up, as the potential variance for the playmaker ranges from missing the World Cup altogether to being the gamebreaker the USMNT desperately needs.

Approvals:

Best Bluesky Post: It’s North Carolina week in 50 States of Soccer, and “Zac” has introduced us to a soccer pitch with…a fighter jet? 

Matches To Watch This Weekend:

Norwich City vs. Middlesbrough, EFL Championship (August 23rd, 10:00 am ET, Paramount+): Norwich City’s Josh Sargent and Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris have both been starring for their respective clubs, and face off against each other in advance of potentially joining the USMNT camp in a few weeks.

Nashville SC vs. Orlando City SC, MLS (August 23rd, 8:30 pm ET, Apple TV): Orlando City has arguably been the hottest team in MLS of late, riding the unreal form of Martin Ojeda (an MVP candidate almost any other year). Nashville has cooled off, but still harbor hopes of a late supporter shield push requiring a jumpstart from a win here at home.

Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit, NWSL (August 23rd, 4:00 pm ET, CBS): No, Bay FC is not great right now. However, this match will set the NWSL attendance record as Bay FC hosts the match at the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park! 

El Paso Locomotive vs. Sacramento Republic, USL Championship (August 23rd, 9:00 pm ET, ESPN+): This western conference battle features Wilmer Cabrera’s always entertaining Locomotive side squaring off with USL titans Sacramento Republic.

Richmond Kickers vs. One Knoxville SC, USL League 1 (August 23rd, 7:00 pm ET, ESPN+): USL League One coach of the week and Kickback HAB (Husbands and Boyfriends) Ian Fuller is going to kick some Kickers.  

Level Up:

Each week the Committee approves the leveling up of a player who simply has taken that leap with their game. This week, it’s the Colorado Rapids’ Darren Yapi.

The former USYNTer striker is still only twenty, and has three goals in his last two matches (and four in the past month). With Djordje Mihailovic transferred, it’s been Yapi’s dynamism up top that has filled the void. With seven goals on the year and a game fully rounding into shape, Yapi’s development may soon catch the eye of U.S. Soccer and earn him a January camp call-up. 

Allocate your points wisely, Darren.

American Soccer Vibes Power Rankings:

A new addition to the Kickback Minutes! Each week we will power rank the clubs, people, or whatever the hell we feel like for top five vibes in American soccer.

1. Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Stars: Go on! We’ve already discussed her immediately iconic goal, but let's just give another hand to Naeher for using her feet this time.
2. Mikey Varas/Tyler Heaps: The Head Coach & Sporting Director of San Diego FC have the expansion club atop the MLS standings while featuring a bunch of kids they’ve picked up from rival clubs. The 2026 USMNT coach rumors should start soon…
3. Antony Siaha, Hartford Athletic: Listen kids…taunting is good! On July 19th, Hartford Athletic were last in the league. Then, Siaha taunted Rhode Island’s fans. They’re undefeated since and in playoff position.
4. Canada: Canada always has some great vibes going, but between the Thomas Muller addition in Vancouver, Djordje Mihailovic joining a suddenly revitalized Toronto FC, and…well David said three nice things about the club formerly known as the Montreal Impact on this week’s Kickback Committee episode featuring Matt Doyle.
5. Brianna Pinto, Soccerwise & Kickback Committee: Lets F****** Go! North Carolina Courage midfielder and UNC legend Brianna Pinto is officially part of the Kickback Committee, and co-hosted Soccerwise this week with David Gass!

Susannah "Cup Should Always Be" Fuller's Cocktail Recipe of the Week:

Another new addition to the newsletter. 

This week, the legendary Boat Drink, courtesy Big John!

1. Fill up an 8 oz. tumbler with ice.
2. Add 2 oz. vodka.
3. Add 1.5 oz. sweet & sour mix.
4. Top with sprite.
5. Stir cocktail.
6. Elevate with a squeeze of lime juice, and lime peel essence. 

Please prepare to specifications in advance of our weekly Happy Hour episodes.

Action Items:

Soccerwise: We introduced Brianna Pinto to our media team and Tom Bogert has all the inside info on the close of the MLS transfer window! 

Kickback Committee: Matt Doyle joins Susannah Fuller and David Gass and has a truly transformative idea for the USMNT in this week’s “Hear me out…” segment.

Pull up to the Kickback bar and join our Happy Hour, where Susannah Fuller, David Gass, and Claudia Pagan are joined by Wake Forest and MLS legend Ike Opara to talk North Carolina soccer lore!

When you’ve done that, remind your local coach and chief sporting officer to please, Play the Kids.