The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur News and Links for Tuesday, September 7

Hi, everyone!

I don’t know how many of you are watching the US Open, but this year’s edition is turning out to be a very fun one, results-wise.

Ramble of the Day

It remains fashionable to rebrand, so it’s worth mentioning another one that has unique relevance to American and English crowds: the Rochester Rhinos, now co-owned by Jamie Vardy, are now Rochester New York FC. Naturally, the new name came with a new look.

My first opinion is that it’s a totally fine crest, fitting the trend of neutrality and flexibility that may allow it to show up in streetwear or something other venue. (I wonder if trying to be fashionable is a smart venture for lower league clubs. It seems like a fun and creative opportunity to make money and get eyeballs on your team, but I don’t know yet if it’s particularly successful.) The color’s not my favorite (you’ll know if you read Friday’s Hoddle), but it works on a scarf.

As for the name, I understand why one might want to stick the words “New York” in their team’s name but I feel having a five letter acronym is one letter too long. The name change, though, is just the latest example in a debate many in North America have had — is the neutral branding worth sacrificing the specific identity a club already has? In Rochester’s case, I imagine the thinking behind sticking New York in there is that it would make a lower league club an easier sell. I accept that is an owner’s endgame, but there are a lot of American sports teams that have established itself as global brands under more unique names.

As always, I will root for originality and Rochester New York FC doesn’t meet that mark. On principle, I cannot fully sanction a departure from it. I don’t mean it to be particularly harsh, because the folks who worked on the rebrand actually did a good job with it. My complaint is really with the people who decided to do the full rebrand.

tl;dr: The Rochester Rhinos rebranded to Rochester New York FC, and while the look is nice, I cannot approve of a departure from originality.

Stay informed, read this: wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan on swimmer Ellie Robinson and the Paralympics’ ability to empower disabled people for the Guardian

Links of the Day

Ex-France international Jean-Pierre Adams died aged 73 after he was in a 39 year coma.

Tottenham-Chelsea will be the first net zero carbon football match at an elite level.

Cheshire Police charged a second man while investigating Manchester CIty’s Benjamin Mendy for rape and sexual assault.

The US’ Weston McKennie was released from camp as further punishment for breaking COVID-19 protocols.

Ex-Brazil international Pelé successfully underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his colon.

A longer read: Jacob Steinberg on inaction from FIFA and UEFA after Hungary was not required to play behind closed doors as punishment for racist and homophobic messages from supporters for the Guardian