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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.

Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 28: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces passes as Tiffany Mitchell #25 of the Minnesota Lynx defends in the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 28, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Lynx 94-73.

WNBA

Chelsea Gray Serves Aces Wins In Every Flavor

Lauren Theisen

Max Verstappen on the podium with both pieces of his trophy

Racing

There Is Only One Way To Deny Max Verstappen His Trophy

Johnny Cueto Is The Marlins’ Silver Lining

Luis Paez-Pumar

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Soccer

Sophia Smith Is The Answer To Every Question

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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

An array of eggplants at Marché Jean-Talon in Montreal.

Chefector

It’s Summer! Let’s Cook Some Eggplant

Tom Ley

A hearse and another vehicle drive in circles on a soccer field

Defector Up All Night

Soccer Game Called Off Due To Hearse On The Field

David Roth

Shintaro Fujinami, in profile, adjusts his cap during an appearance with the Oakland A's on July 16.

Shintaro Fujinami Is Trying To Find The Feel

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 Came Just Short Of Perfection

<p>Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.</p>


Nicholas Russell

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the film Barbie

Defector At The Movies

‘Barbie’ Was Born Out Of The Anxiety Of Modern Filmmaking

<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.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Alyssa Thompson

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


Chris Thompson

Red rambling rose plant climbing the wall of a pink thatched cottage, Shottisham Suffolk, England.

Life Lessons

So You Want To Grow Climbing Roses

Elly De La Cruz Is Not Like Other Baseball Players

Patrick Redford

A photo with added illustration of Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, with his tongue sticking waaaaay out to the side. As in, it almost reaches his jacket collar.

Dan Snyder Officially Out As Commanders Owner, Set To Spend Rest Of Life As Anonymous Tyrant

Jarred Kelenic #10 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 03, 2023 in San Francisco, California.

Jarred Kelenic Is Really, Really Sorry About Kicking That Water Cooler

<p>Adlan Jackson is a writer-editor at Hell Gate. He has written for <em>The New York Times Magazine</em>, <em>The New Yorker</em>, Pitchfork, Study Hall and more.</p>


Adlan Jackson

The central branch of Brooklyn Public Library, wrapped in Jay-Z lyrics.

Arts And Culture

Is ‘The Book Of Hov’ Really For Anyone But Jay-Z?

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 Beat Ireland And Bought Time

Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the college football game between the Northwestern Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 19, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.

College Football

Northwestern’s Hazing Scandal Isn’t Going Away

<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

Three demonstrators join hands to build strength against the force of water sprayed by riot police in Birmingham, Alabama, during a protest of segregation practices.

Podcasts

The Civil Rights Movement’s Turning Point Was Almost Its Last Stand, With Paul Kix

Kota Ibushi stares down a bloody Jon Moxley

Pro Wrestling

Blood, Guts, And A Glimpse Of God

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 Opened The World Cup With A Victory For The Ages

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 30, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rick Osentoski/Getty Images)

Draymond Green Is Committed To Feuding, Even With A Fake Tweet

Assistant referee raises his flag for offside

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

Giri Nathan

Tennis

Tennis Player Wipes Out Contested Ball Mark And Celebrates Opponent’s Retirement, To The Disgust Of Her Peers

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.

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

Ray Ratto

FLUSHING, NY - JULY 18: New York Mets Catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets on July 18, 2023, at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)