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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

New Defector Merch For Your Baby

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Merch v3

Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.

DFM New Headshot

Diana Moskovitz

Then-head coach Rory Dames of Chicago Red Stars looks on against Washington Spirit during the NWSL Championship held at Lynn Family Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (

Rory Dames

Soccer

Rory Dames Disappeared From The SafeSport Database And SafeSport Isn’t Saying Why

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Abigail Segel

in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Round of 16 match at Commonwealth Stadium on June 22, 2015 in Edmonton, Canada.

United States v Colombia: Round of 16 – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

Alex Morgan Knew How To Use The Spotlight

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Alex Morgan #13 of San Diego Wave FC waves to the crowd after the game against the North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium on September 08, 2024 in San Diego, California. This was Morgan’s final NWSL game before her announced retirement.

North Carolina Courage v San Diego Wave FC

Alex Morgan Conquered The World

The official NWSL game ball sits on top of a pedestal with the NWSL Logo on it with the stadium behind the ball at the start of the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and North Carolina Courage at Red Bull Arena on May 4, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey.

North Carolina Courage v NJ/NY Gotham FC

NWSL Throws The Draft In The Trash Where It Belongs

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Tom Ley

Temwa Chawinga #6 of Kansas City Current controls the ball during the first half of the National Womens Soccer League game against NJ/NY Gotham FC on April 14, 2024 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

SOCCER: APR 14 NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC vs Kansas City Current

Barbra Banda And Temwa Chawinga Were Bigger Than The Season’s Biggest Game

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Alex Sujong Laughlin

Players give high-fives after the National Anthem before an NWSL match between the Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current on June 23, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

NWSL

The NWSL Took Me Back

Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda (22) in action during a NWSL match between the Seattle Reign FC and the Orlando Pride on May 19, 2024 at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA.

SOCCER: MAY 19 NWSL Seattle Reign FC vs Orlando Pride

The NWSL Is There For Barbra Banda’s Taking

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

FC Gotham players hug after scoring a goal in the 2023 NWSL Championship game

fc gotham

Gotham’s Batshit Championship Win Caps NWSL’s Season Of Renewal

Megan Rapinoe #15 of OL Reign reacts after her last home regular-season NWSL match at Lumen Field on October 06, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.

Washington Spirit v OL Reign

Megan Rapinoe Put Retirement Off A Little Longer

A photo of Christen Press and Tobin Heath as they sit on the set of their show, the RE-CAP show, and discuss the USWNT tie with Portugal.

The RE-CAP show

Tobin Heath And Christen Press Offer A Dose Of Sanity This World Cup

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The NWSL Is Terrorizing Rookies With This Dubious Treatment For Cramps

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States runs on the field during a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Ireland v USWNT

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Sophia Smith

Lynn Williams #6 of the United States controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

2023 SheBelieves Cup – Brazil v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lynn Williams

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

HARRISON, NJ - JULY 31: The digital signage shows the NWSL logo on it before the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Houston Dash at Red Bull Arena on July 31, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Houston Dash v NJ/NY Gotham FC

NWSL Report: With Great Power Came No Responsibility

Leo Baudhuin is a freelance journalist covering the Thorns and the NWSL. He&#8217;s also a known fan of soup, octopuses, and astrology.

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Leo Baudhuin

San Diego Wave FC v Portland Thorns – Semifinal: 2022 NWSL Championship

Crystal Dunn And The Portland Thorns Just Need One More Moment

San Diego Wave FC forward Alex Morgan (13) celebrates after scoring during the first half of the NWSL soccer game between NJ/NY Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC on June 19, 2022 at Red Bull Arena in HArrison, NJ. Her arms are wide open, like an airplane, and she's smiling.

Alex-Morgan

Alex Morgan Had A Year

The NWSL flag waves in the wind during the match between the Kansas City Current and the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Childrens Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS.

NWSL Logo

Everything That Was Not Said In The NWSL’s Friday News Dump

Claire Watkins is a musician and writer living in Chicago, IL.

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Claire Watkins

The logo for the NWSL's Chicago Red Stars. The Logo is dirty and shattered.

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How The Chicago Red Stars Became The Epitome Of NWSL Dysfunction

SOCCER: NOV 21 MLS Cup Playoffs – Minnesota United at Portland Timbers

NWSL Report Reveals Systemic Abuse, Institutional Failures

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Is This Magic, Or One Of The Worst Calls In History?

The United States celebrate a goal by Trinity Rodman #14 (C-R) during the second half against Uzbekistan at Subaru Park on April 12, 2022 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Uzbekistan v USWNT

Why Equal Pay For Equal Work Finally Became A Reality For The USWNT

Goalkeepers DiDi Haracic #13 and Brittany Isenhour #1 of Angel City FC wave to fans after defeating North Carolina Courage at Banc of California Stadium on April 29, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Angel City FC first win

The Most Revolutionary Thing About Angel City FC Is It’s Fun

Chicago Red Stars v Portland Thorns FC: Semifinal – 2021 NWSL Championship

This NWSL Final Is The Result Of Knockout Soccer At Its Best

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Kelsey McKinney

Washington Spirit players celebrate following a goal by Trinity Rodman #2 during the second half against the Houston Dash at Audi Field on October 31, 2021 in Washington, DC.

Houston Dash v Washington Spirit

We Do Not Need Any New Chants!