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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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Luis Paez-Pumar

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the trophy after winning the final of Copa America Brazil 2021 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Soccer

Lionel Messi And Argentina Are Ready For World Cup Glory

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Billy Haisley

Ali Albulayhi of Saudi Arabia reacts during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Colombia at Estadio Enrique Roca on June 05, 2022 in Murcia, Spain.

Saudi Arabia v Colombia – International Friendly

Saudi Arabia’s Coach Is Hunky But Its Team Is Junky

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Patrick Redford

United States midfielder Weston McKennie (8) celebrates with forward Christian Pulisic (10), midfielder Tyler Adams (4) and teammates after scoring a goal during a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying game between the United States and Mexico on November 12, 2021 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

SOCCER: NOV 12 World Cup Qualifying – USA v Mexico

At Long Last, The USMNT Is Back At The World Cup

Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off final qualifier football match between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 5, 2022.

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Internationals

This World Cup Is Wales’s Last Hurrah With Gareth Bale

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Ray Ratto

2022 FIFA World Cup Preparations In Qata

A Free Trip To The World Cup Will Only Cost Your Soul

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Tom Ley

Italy v England: UEFA Nations League – League Path Group 3

Will England Ever Be Brave Enough To Reach For Greatness?

ST. POELTEN, AUSTRIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the International Friendly match between Iran and Uruguay at NV Arena on September 23, 2022 in St. Poelten, Austria.

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Iran Has More Than Just Soccer On Its Mind At The World Cup

Senegal wins 1st Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties

Africa’s Best Hope For Glory Lies With Sadio Mané’s Senegal

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 25: Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match between Netherlands and Belgium at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 25, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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The Netherlands Is Ready To Go Where It’s Never Been Before

NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: John Brooks of the United States celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and USA at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Ghana v USA: Group G – 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: John Brooks

Fans celebrate the tying goal scored by Enner Valencia of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Ecuador and Argentina at Estadio Monumental on March 29, 2022 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Ecuador v Argentina – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier

Ecuador’s Bright World Cup Future Starts Now


<p>Leo Baudhuin is a freelance journalist covering the Thorns and the NWSL. He&#8217;s also a known fan of soup, octopuses, and astrology.</p>


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Leo Baudhuin

San Diego Wave FC v Portland Thorns – Semifinal: 2022 NWSL Championship

Crystal Dunn And The Portland Thorns Just Need One More Moment

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Qatar Bought The World Cup, Now Has To Prove It Can Play In It


<p>Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.</p>


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Diana Moskovitz

San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan (13) celebrates after scoring during the first half of the NWSL soccer game between NJ/NY Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC on June 19, 2022 at Red Bull Arena in HArrison, NJ. Her arms are wide open, like an airplane, and she's smiling.

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NWSL

Alex Morgan Had A Year

Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates scoring their side's second goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League group F match between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid at Red Bull Arena on October 25, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany.

RB Leipzig v Real Madrid: Group F – UEFA Champions League

Christopher Nkunku Is Just The Best

Dwight McNeil of Everton celebrates with teammate Alex Iwobi after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on October 22, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Everton FC v Crystal Palace – Premier League

All Of Everton’s Paths To Success Run Through Alex Iwobi

The NWSL flag waves in the wind during the match between the Kansas City Current and the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Childrens Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS.

NWSL Logo

Everything That Was Not Said In The NWSL’s Friday News Dump

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 27: Giovanni Reyna #11 of the United States moves towards the box during a FIFA World Cup qualifier game between Panama and USMNT at Exploria Stadium on March 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Panama v USMNT

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gio Reyna

Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona celebrates her team's third goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Group D match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at Estadi Johan Cruyff on October 19, 2022 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain.

FC Barcelona v SL Benfica: Group D – UEFA Women’s Champions League

Asisat Oshoala Put An Exclamation Point On Barcelona’s Rout

Thibaut Courtois receives the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper during the Ballon D'Or ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris on October 17, 2022 in Paris, France.

Ballon D’Or Ceremony At Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris

There’s A Reason Keepers Don’t Win The Big Hardware

Liverpool's Diogo Jota (left) and Chelsea's N'Golo Kante battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Thursday March 4, 2021. (Photo by Oli Scarff/PA Images via Getty Images)

Liverpool v Chelsea – Premier League – Anfield

The World Cup Injury Crisis Is Only Going To Get Worse


<p>Claire Watkins is a musician and writer living in Chicago, IL.</p>


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Claire Watkins

The logo for the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars. The Logo is dirty and shattered.

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How The Chicago Red Stars Became The Epitome Of NWSL Dysfunction

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal prior to the referee cancelling the goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 16, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona – LaLiga Santander

For Real Madrid, The Clásico Was Just Another Game

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<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
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Charles P. Pierce

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq v Japan – FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 16, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Liverpool FC v Manchester City – Premier League

Mohamed Salah Is The Difference