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Defector

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.

Soccer

Megan Rapinoe Couldn’t Have Done It Any Better

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center on April 09, 2023 in Portland, Oregon

Defector Up All Night

Be Glad You Aren’t Damian Lillard’s Agent

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels walks to the dugout after being replaced during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on July 04, 2023 in San Diego, California.

It’s Been A Very Bad Few Days For The Angels

GUIMARAES, PORTUGAL - APRIL 7: Yui Hasegawa of Japan Women, Fatima Pinto of Portugal Women during the International Friendly Women match between Portugal Women v Japan Women at the Estadio D Afonso Henriques on April 7, 2023 in Guimaraes Portugal

Japan Climbed The Mountain Once, And Now They Need To Do It Again

FRISCO, TX - JULY 04: Fans enjoys a post-game fireworks display over the stadium celebrating the Fourth of July after the MLS game between Inter Miami FC and FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on July 4, 2022 in Frisco, Texas.

Let’s Have A Summer Weekend Open Thread

Irish players pictured at the warm up on the field ahead of a friendly women's soccer game between Belgium's national team the Red Flames and the Republic of Ireland, Sunday 11 April 2021 in Brussels. BELGA PHOTO DAVID CATRY (

Ireland Is Ready To Keep Singing At Their First World Cup

The Philippine National Women’s Football Team celebrates after winning the championship match against Thailand for the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines on 17 July 2022.

The Philippines Have A Little Something Going On Here

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 21: Football Ferns player Grace Jale during a New Zealand Football Ferns training session at North Harbour Stadium on June 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand Can’t Blow This Chance To Break Its World Cup Losing Streak

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 25: Buck Showalter #11 of the New York Mets and umpire Erich Bacchus #12 speak during the ninth inning of a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Maybe The Mets Are Just Bad

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 13: in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The NHL Scurries Away From Its Pride Night Problem

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Draft Prospects Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson visit the Empire State Building on June 20th, 2023 in New York City, New New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

What Kind Of Table Are Overtime Elite Twins Amen And Ausar Thompson Going To Use To Accommodate Their Family And Others Of Note During The NBA Draft Tomorrow?

Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez (3) connects to go five for five in the seventh inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins on Monday, June 19, 2023 at LoanDepot Part in Miami, Fla.

Luis Arráez Is On .400 Watch

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) follows through as he hits a solo hoe run in the seventh inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Angles and Kansas City Royals on June 17, 2023 at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

Shohei Ohtani Is Hammering That Damn Baseball

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Chelsea owner Todd Boehly gestures prior to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

What Should We Make Of Chelsea’s Reported Saudi Bailout?

DENVER, CO - JUNE 12: A overall view of the Denver Nuggets team during the post-game celebration during Game Five of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

A Championship Deciphers The Past

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Trinity Rodman #25 of the United States runs for the ball during an international friendly game between Ireland and the USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Trinity Rodman

Life's Rich Pageant

Paul Pierce Traps Kevin Garnett In Grim Men’s Livestream

Steve Clemons screams at a climate activist

Media Meltdowns

Semafor Shithead Screams At Climate Activists

Paul Moller's very first prototype, the M200X, is a sort of vertical-takeoff flying saucer.

Journalismism

It’s Time To Show Ship

The 'Oath of the Tennis Court' painted by Auguste Clouder. The painting commemorates the meeting of the Third Estate in France in which all bar one of the 600 deputies swore an oath not to separate until a constitution had been established, June 20, 1989.

Staff Chat

Come Hurl Your Questions At The Defector Staff

AUSTIN, TX - APRIL 8: Rose Lavelle #16 of the United States dribbles past Megan Connolly #6 of the Republic of Ireland during a game between Ireland and the United States at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Rose Lavelle

TORONTO, ON - MAY 30: Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a statement to the media before playing the Milwaukee Brewers in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on May 30, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Even Anthony Bass’s Own Fans Know He’s A Jerkoff

WNBA

Breanna Stewart Went Home And Conquered

Defector At The Movies

It’s Good When Action Movies Remember To Be A Little Silly

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 17: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.