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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

bh def prof pic

Billy Haisley

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

FBL-RSA-WOMEN

Soccer

South Africa Brings Continental Dreams To The World Stage

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

Portugal's players celebrate scoring during a group A play-off tournament match between Portugal and Cameroon for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 22, 2023.

NEW ZEALAND-HAMILTON-FOOTBALL-WOMEN-PLAYOFF-POR VS CMR

Portugal Is Finally Where It Ought To Be

Haiti celebrate qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after their victory in the 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament match between Chile and Haiti at North Harbour Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Chile v Haiti – 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play Off Tournament

Haiti’s The Underdog With The Biggest Dog

Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal with (L) Granit Xhaka, (R) William Saliba, (2ndR) Eddie Nketiah, (3rdL) Martin Odegaard and (3rdR) Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2022 in London, England.

Arsenal FC v West Ham United – Premier League

At Least We Have Arsenal Back

Lionel Messi right winger of Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain with the World Cup trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Argentina v France: Final – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

The World Cup Belongs To The Dreamers

France's players celebrate their victory in the Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH62-FRA-MAR

Farewell To Morocco, The Winners Of The World Cup

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi outpasses Croatia's defender #20 Josko Gvardiol during the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH61-ARG-CRO

Lionel Messi Makes The Difference

Croatia's goalkeeper #01 Dominik Livakovic deflects a shot from Brazil's forward #21 Rodrygo during a penalty shootout during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Croatia and Brazil at Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on December 9, 2022.

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2022-MATCH58-CRO-BRA

Internationals

Croatia Did The Impossible By Beating The Inevitable

Japan v Croatia: Round of 16 – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Japan Finally Plays A Good Game And Loses Anyway

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2022-MATCH34-IRI-USA

The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

Casemiro of Brazil scores their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Brazil v Switzerland: Group G – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

This Is How Brazil Will Win The World Cup

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon v Serbia – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group G – Al Janoub Stadium

Cameroon-Serbia Was The World Cup’s Weirdest And Wildest Game

Germany's midfielder #14 Jamal Musiala is challenged by Spain's midfielder #26 Pedri and Spain's midfielder #09 Gavi during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 27, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH28-ESP-GER

Soccer Gods Reward Spain And Germany’s Spectacular Match With A Good And Just Draw

Argentina's Lionel Messi (l) cheers with Argentina's Julian Alvarez (r) after his goal for 1:0.

World Cup 2022 – Argentina – Mexico

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

Marco Asensio of Spain celebrates with team mates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium on November 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Spain v Costa Rica: Group E – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Spain Touches The Sky

USA's forward #21 Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between USA and Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 21, 2022.

FBL-WC-2022-MATCH04-USA-WAL

There’s No Weah In Hell I’m Going To Get Too Bummed About The USMNT’s Draw

England v IR Iran: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

England Beat Iran While FIFA And Qatar Beat Everyone Else

An empty Budweiser beer stand at Fan Festival ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Previews

FIFA Is Getting The Beerless World Cup It Deserves

Neymar Junior of Brazil celebrates his goal during the international friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France.

Brazil v Tunisia – International Friendly

Can Brazil Be Brazil Again?

Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring during the Nations League League A Group 4 football match between Belgium and Wales at The King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on September 22, 2022.

FBL-NATIONS-BEL-WAL

The End Is Near For Belgium

Japan celebrate after the FIFA World Cup Qualifier football match between Australia Socceroos and Japan on March 24, 2022 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia.

SOCCER: MAR 24 World Cup Qualifier – Australia v Japan

Fate Has Handed Japan A Nearly Impossible Task

Hiving Lozano #22 of Mexico celebrates a goal against Peru in the second half at Rose Bowl Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Pasadena, California.

Peru v Mexico

Mexico Is Going Nowhere

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

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.