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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Billy Haisley

Aitana Bonmati of Spain and Barcelona celebrates after scoring her sides first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Costa Rica at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 21, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand.

Spain v Costa Rica: Group C – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Soccer

Spain Came Just Short Of Perfection

<p>Kim McCauley covers soccer for The Athletic and ESPN, and worked as a data analyst at Angel City FC. You can <a href="https://twitter.com/kimischilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/kimischilling&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1690042325485000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3FfPKUcZC9_LzSiHDnR1Ox">follow her on the bird app</a>.</p>
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Kim McCauley

Alyssa Thompson #7 of the United States dribbles the ball during the first half of an international friendly against Wales at PayPal Park on July 09, 2023 in San Jose, California.

Wales v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Alyssa Thompson

Alanna Kennedy of Australia celebrates the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia on July 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.

Australia v Ireland: Group B – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Australia Beat Ireland And Bought Time

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Hannah Wilkinson (2nd R) of New Zealand celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park on July 20, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand v Norway: Group A – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

New Zealand Opened The World Cup With A Victory For The Ages

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 10.34.24 AM

Abigail Segel

Assistant referee raises his flag for offside

Spanish Soccer – Logrones v Real Madrid

The Worst And Less Worse Ways To Explain The Offside Rule To Soccer Dummies, Ranked

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Defector Staff

A general view of the fanfestival in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 which begins on the 20th July jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Previews – Wednesday 19th July

Contained Within This Post Is A Comprehensive Preview Of Every Goddamn Team In The Women’s World Cup

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Albert Burneko

Cristiano Ronaldo, with mostly empty stands in the background

ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Being A Butt Again

Mayra Ramirez (R) of Colombia celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of her team during a Group A match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of Women's CONMEBOL Copa America Colombia 2022 at Estadio Pascual Guerrero on July 17, 2022 in Cali, Colombia.

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Colombia Is Ready To Shock The World Again

A map of Oceania, where Australia and New Zealand have World Cup ball patterns. Over it are three tickets to GO FUND ME AIRLINES, where Gal Pal Sports, Shea Butter FC and Diaspora United are all going to from USA to the World Cup

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How A Fan Community United To Send Indie Women’s Soccer Media To The World Cup

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Patrick Redford

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 07: Players of Korea Republic huddle on the pitch prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group A match between France and Korea Republic at Parc des Princes on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

France v Korea Republic: Group A – 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France

Can South Korea Finally Break Out At The World Cup?

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Samer Kalaf

Karim Benzema at his signing with Al Ittihad

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Saudi Arabia’s Plan Is To Make A Better Version Of MLS

Morocco team line up during the Women´s International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza on July 01, 2023 in Ferrara, Italy.

Italy v Morocco – Women¬¥s International Friendly

Morocco Is Serious

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Ray Ratto

Carolin Simon of Germany, Klara Buehl of Germany and Alexandra Popp of Germany look on during the Women's international friendly between Germany and Zambia at Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer on July 7, 2023 in Fuerth, Germany.

Germany v Zambia – Women’s International Friendly

It’s All Set Up For Germany To Reclaim World Cup Glory

Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig Looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on May 20, 2023 in Munich, Germany

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Window Shopping: Josko Gvardiol Is Too Young To Be This Good

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - JULY 09: Sofia Huerta #3 of the United States controls the ball during the second half of an international friendly against Wales at PayPal Park on July 09, 2023 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Sofia Huerta

The Italy women's national team poses for a team photograph at the Euro 2022 tournament.

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Italy’s Getting There, Slowly, Maybe

Dunedin Stadium is pictured ahead of the FIFA World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 on July 11, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

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FIFA Struggling To Fill Stadiums In Remote Soccer-Indifferent Country With Nobody In It

Yamila Tamara Rodriguez (#11) of Argentina celebrates after scoring the second goal of her team during a match between Argentina and Uruguay as part of Women's CONMEBOL Copa America 2022 at Centenario Stadium on July 15, 2022 in Armenia, Colombia

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Argentina Is Just One Win Away From A New Era

South African senior national women's football team players train at Highlands Park in Johannesburg, on October 4, 2022.

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South Africa Brings Continental Dreams To The World Stage

LEIGH, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Stina Blackstenius of Sweden celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal which was later disallowed by VAR for an offside during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final match between Sweden and Belgium at Leigh Sports Village on July 22, 2022 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

Sweden v Belgium: Quarter Final – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

This Could Finally Be Sweden’s Year

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 23: Marta Cox and Wendy Natis of Panama celebrate with team member Raiza Gutierrez during the 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament match between Paraguay and Panama at Waikato Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Paraguay v Panama – 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament

Panama Has Done Its Job Simply By Making The World Cup

Debinha #9 celebrates with her teammate Marta #10 of Brazil after scores 1st goal during the match between Japan and Brazil at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

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It’s Brazil Versus Time At This World Cup

Khadija Shaw of Jamaica celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the match between Jamaica and Haiti as part of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship at BBVA Stadium on July 11, 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Jamaica v Haiti – 2022 Concacaf W Championship

It’s Time For Jamaica To Grow Up

French women's football captain Wendie Renard (C) runs with her teammates during the team's first training session in Melbourne on July 10, 2023, ahead of their international friendly against Australia. Teams are arriving in Australia and New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming Women's World Cup 2023 football tournament. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

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France Is Riding The High Of Defeating A Shitty Boss

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Tom Ley

Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States celebrates her goal in the first half against France during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France.