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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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tip jar sweepstakes

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Patrick Redford

Lalas confusing and infuriating Daniel Sturridge

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Soccer

Love Him Or Hate Him, Alexi Lalas Stinks At His Job

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Billy Haisley

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Luis Paez-Pumar

A general view of pregame ceremonies before the CONMEBOL Copa America match between Argentina and Canada on June 20, 2024 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

SOCCER: JUN 20 CONMEBOL Copa America – Argentina vs Canada

A Comprehensive And Tastefully Belated Guide To The 2024 Copa América

Declan Rice of England shows dejection after a draw ing the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Denmark and England at Frankfurt Arena on June 20, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Denmark v England: Group C – UEFA EURO 2024

This Can’t Be The Sum Of All Of England’s Parts

Turkey celebrates their side's victory in the UEFA Euro 2024 Group F match at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany. Picture date: Tuesday June 18, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

Turkey v Georgia – UEFA Euro 2024 – Group F – BVB Stadion Dortmund

Turkey-Georgia Was Perfect

Nicolae Stanciu of Romania scores his team's first goal past Andriy Lunin of Ukraine during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Romania and Ukraine at Munich Football Arena on June 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany.

Romania v Ukraine: Group E – UEFA EURO 2024

These Are The Bangers Fox Is Hiding From You

Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Poland and Netherlands at Volksparkstadion on June 16, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany.

Poland v Netherlands: Group D – UEFA EURO 2024

Just Give It To The Big Lad

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Ray Ratto

Jude Bellingham of England celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Serbia and England at Arena AufSchalke on June 16, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Serbia v England: Group C – UEFA EURO 2024

Nobody Does Dispiriting Wins Better Than England

Ronaldinho Gaúcho of União sends a kiss to his fans during Futebol Solidário match at Maracana Stadium on May 26, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho Blames It All On The Deodorant

Bukayo Saka of England reacts during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 7, 2024 in London, England.

England v Iceland – International Friendly

A Guide To The 2024 Euros With A Depth Of Analysis Surpassed Only By Its Timeliness

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Sam Coffey #17 and Lily Yohannes #6 of the United States enter the field for warmups prior to playing the Korea Republic at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 01, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

South Korea v United States

Lily Yohannes Is The Truth

Korbin Albert of the United States arrives at the field

USWNT Training

USWNT Stars Past And Present Condemn Rising Star Korbin Albert’s Noxious Internet Habits

Dave McKenna

Mayo , Ireland - 17 March 2024; Mayo players stand for Amhrán na bhFiann before the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Mayo and Derry at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo.

Mayo v Derry – Allianz Football League Division 1

Internationals

The Quest To End A 73-Year-Old Gaelic Football Curse Starts In The Bronx

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Abigail Segel

Mallory Swanson poses with her arms in the air during a USWNT portrait studio session on February 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Mal Swanson

Mal Swanson Is Back! And So Are The Red Stars

Lyon's French midfielder #34 Mahamadou Diawara (C) leads the ball during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and FC Lorient (FCL) at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on October 8, 2023. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)

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Mahamadou Diawara Leaves French Youth National Team Over Anti-Ramadan Rules

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Tom Ley

United States v Brazil: Final – 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup

Lindsey Horan Headed The USWNT Into Its Next Era

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: Alex Morgan #7 of United States reacts after a goal by Mexico in the second half during Group A - 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup match at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 26, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

United States v Mexico: Group A – 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup

Mexico Finally Killed Off The Old USWNT For Good

Damaris Egurrola of the Netherlands celebrates with teammates after scoring her teams third goal Romee Leuchter of the Netherlands during the UEFA Womens Nations League - League A Group 1 match between Netherlands Women and Belgium Women at Koning Willem II Stadion on December 5, 2023 in Tilburg, Netherlands

Netherlands v Belgium – UEFA Womens Nations League

The Wildest Soccer Match Of The Week Was Between Two Teams That Didn’t Even Play Each Other

Matt Turner #1 of the United States talks with teammate Sergiño Dest #2 as he walks off the field after being red carded during the first half against Trinidad and Tobago at Hasely Crawford Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Port of Spain, Trinidad And Tobago.

United States v Trinidad & Tobago: Quarterfinal – Leg Two – CONCACAF Nations League

Sergiño Dest Lost His Damn Mind

Gio Reyna #7 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a Concacaf Nations League game between Trinidad and Tobago and USMNT at Q2 Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Trinidad & Tobago v United States: Quarterfinal – Leg One – CONCACAF Nations League

The USMNT Only Has One Gio Reyna

Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Colombia and Brazil at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez on November 16, 2023 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Colombia v Brazil – FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

Reunited With Kidnapped Father, Luis Díaz Took On Brazil And Won

Ayase Ueda of Japan controls the ball against Thet Hein Soe of Myanmar during the FIFA World Cup Asian 2nd qualifier match between Japan and Myanmar at Panasonic Stadium Suita on November 16, 2023 in Suita, Osaka, Japan.

Japan v Myanmar – FIFA World Cup Asian 2nd Qualifier

Japan Is For Real

Emma Hayes, Head Coach of Chelsea FC poses for a portrait during the UEFA Women's Champions League Official Portraits shoot on October 17, 2023 in Cobham, England.

emma-hayes

Emma Hayes Knows What American Soccer Needs

A general view of the performance as Saudi Arabia is displayed on the LED Screen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw at Doha Exhibition Center on April 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw

Saudi Arabia Will Host The 2034 World Cup

United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) celebrates his goal with United States forward Tim Weah (21) during a match between the United Sates and Germany on October 14, 2023, at Pratt &amp; Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.

SOCCER: OCT 14 USA vs Germany

The USMNT Once Again Played The Best

Julie Ertz #8 of the United States watches a tribute video after playing South Africa at TQL Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

South Africa v United States

Julie Ertz Was The USWNT