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Defector


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

a magpie nest in a tree. the nest is built from a bunch of anti-bird spikes, which are long spiky needles attached to strips.

Birdfector

There’s No Such Thing As Hostile Architecture When You’re A Bird

Lauren Theisen

Corbin Carroll’s Wheels Can Throw Even The Braves Out Of Whack

Patrick Redford

Jumbo-Visma's Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard celebrates on the podium with the overall leader's yellow jersey after winning the 16th stage of the 110th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 22 km individual time trial between Passy and Combloux, in the French Alps, on July 18, 2023. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Cycling

Jonas Vingegaard Smoked Everyone Else In A Masterful Time Trial

Albert Burneko

Cristiano Ronaldo, with mostly empty stands in the background

Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Being A Butt Again

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

COMBLOUX, FRANCE - JULY 18: Olivier Le Gac of France and Team Groupama-FDJ sprints during the stage sixteen of the 110th Tour de France 2023 a 22.4km individual climbing time trial stage from Passy to Combloux 974m / #UCIWT / on July 18, 2023 in Combloux, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Funbag

Could A Normal Person Finish A Tour de France Mountain Stage On An E-Bike?

Aaron Hicks tries to catch a triple by Freddie Freeman

There’ll Be Nights Like This

Tom Ley

Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants stretches prior to an NFL divisional round football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Running Backs Are Hosed

Kathryn Xu

An Attempt At Talking About Bad Outfield Defense Without Talking About Kyle Schwarber

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after drawing a walk during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Christian Yelich’s Powers Have Returned

Giri Nathan

Carlos Alcaraz kisses the Wimbledon trophy

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz Is The Happiest Hunter

SAINT-GERVAIS MONT-BLANC, FRANCE - JULY 16: Yellow jersey, race leader Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Jumbo - Visma and White jersey of best young rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates cross the finish line of stage fifteen of the 110th Tour de France 2023, a 179km stage from Les Gets les Portes du Soleil to Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc 1379m / #UCIWT / on July 16, 2023 in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

This Is As Close As The Tour de France Has Ever Been

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Cameron Payne walks onto the court during his final appearance for the Phoenix Suns, during the 2023 playoffs.

Phoenix’s Title Push Has Maximums, Minimums, And Nothing In Between

Luis Paez-Pumar

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.

Colombia Is Ready To Shock The World Again

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

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

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

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)

Can South Korea Finally Break Out At The World Cup?

Barry Petchesky

DENVER, CO - JULY 16: Alan Trejo #13 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run to beat the New York Yankees in the eleventh inning at Coors Field on July 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alan Trejo

John Flaherty And The Yankees Would Both Like That Inning Back

Ray Ratto

DeAndre Hopkins holds his helmet during a game between the Patriots and Cardinals.

DeAndre Hopkins Willingly Agrees To Catch The Rare Titans Pass

Sabrina Ionescu shoots a three-pointer during the contest

WNBA

Sabrina Ionescu Broke The Three-Point Contest

Samer Kalaf

Karim Benzema at his signing with Al Ittihad

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

Kelsey McKinney

Zillowing Out

A $360,000 House To Zoom Away In

Dave McKenna

Internationals

Monaghan’s Thrill-Filled Quest For An All-Ireland Football Championship Is Sponsored By A Bronx Flooring Company

Billy Haisley

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.

Morocco Is Serious

Justin Ellis

The Source printing at the Portland Press Herald printing plant in South Portland on April 3, 2014.

Journalismism

Maybe Separating Newspapers From Capitalism Is A Good Idea After All

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.

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