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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

Jaedyn Shaw #2 of NY/NJ Gotham FC attempts a shot during the match against Portland Thorns at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 26, 2025 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Jaedyn Shaw’s Redemption Arc Is Underway

Luis Paez-Pumar

Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Jack Grealish Has Rediscovered His Excellence

Crystal Palace's English striker #09 Eddie Nketiah shoots to score their late winner during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on September 27, 2025.

Crystal Palace Liverpooled Liverpool

Sarah Puntigam #17 of Houston Dash shoots during the NWSL match between San Diego Wave and Houston Dash at Snapdragon Stadium on September 07, 2025 in San Diego, California.

In A Typically Chaotic NWSL Season, The Only Safe Place Is The Very Top

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Liverpool Can’t Keep Getting Away With This … Right?

Billy Haisley

Jeremy Doku of Manchester City holds off the challenge of Leny Yoro of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England.

Jérémy Doku Could Be More Than Just A Killer Wiggle

Tom Ley

Ray Ratto

Maitreyi Anantharaman

A detailed view of a replica Premier League Trophy outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on August 31, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

A Seemingly Late Yet Actually Perfectly Timed Preview Of The 2025-26 Premier League Season

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the UEFA Europa league trophy during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Brighton &amp; Hove Albion FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25, 2025 in London, England.

Nottingham Forest Fired Its Manager And Hired His Polar Opposite

Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur FC, looks on during the award ceremony following the UEFA Europa League final football match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester United FC in May of 2025.

The End Finally Comes For Daniel Levy, The Man Tottenham Hotspur Fans Loved To Hate

Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United reacts during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025 in Grimsby, England.

Everyone Wins When Manchester United Loses

Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United (10) fouls Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC (4) during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Liverpool And Newcastle Turned Transfer Drama Into A Brutal And Beautiful Game

Nottingham Forest's Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo (R) speaks with Nottingham Forest's Greek co-owner Evangelos Marinakis (L) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on May 11, 2025. Nottingham Forest and Leicester City equalise 2 - 2. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Everyone And Everything Has Gone Crazy At Nottingham Forest

Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton &amp; Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

BREAKING: Watching Everton Is No Longer Like Taking A Porcupine Quill To The Eyeball

Players of Chicago Stars celebrates with teammate Alyssa Naeher #1 after the NWSL match between Seattle Reign and Chicago Stars at Lumen Field on August 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

Alyssa Naeher Shoots And Scores, But The Chicago Stars Are Still In The Dark

Alexander Isak during the Pre Season Training Camp at FC Seefelder Plateau on July 14, 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria.

Alexander Isak Wants The Hell Out Of Newcastle

Players, match officials and fans take part in a minute's silence as a fan mosaic depicting "DJ20" is displayed in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England

Diogo Jota Will Never Walk Alone

Tom Brady, Minority Owner of Birmingham City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City FC and Wrexham AFC at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on September 16, 2024 in Birmingham, England.

‘Built In Birmingham’ Can’t Save Tom Brady From Himself

Marta Vieira and Kerolin Israel of Brazil hold the trophy after the CONMEBOL Copa America Femenina 2025 Final match between Colombia and Brazil at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on August 2, 2025 in Quito, Ecuador.

The Copa América Femenina Final Had It All: Goals, Controversy, And Marta

Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring the team's winning penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain at St. Jakob-Park on July 27, 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.

Chloe Kelly Carried England To The Promised Land

Albert Burneko

Marc-André ter Stegen in a German men's national team kit

What The Hell Is Going On With Marc-André ter Stegen?

Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund on July 23, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Spain Won An Ugly Game Thanks To Moments Of Splendor

Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring her team's second goal from a rebound following a saved penalty in extra-time during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Semi-Final match between England and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 22, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

In The Face Of Chaos, England Kept Calm And Carried On Into The Euros Final

Jennifer Falk #12 of Sweden missed a decisive 11m goal against goalkeeper Hannah Hampton #1 of England in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Womens EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between Sweden and England at Stadion Letzigrund on July 17, 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Atrocious England-Sweden Penalty Shootout Has Wild Bill Hickok Turning Over In His Grave

Bill Rosimar Amancio of Chiangmai United celebrates scoring his side's goal during the Thai League 1 match between Chiangmai United and Samut Prakan City at 700th Anniversary Stadium on February 6, 2022 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Bills Week

The Inspiring Soccer Odyssey Of The Man They Call Bill

Cole Palmer of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates Reece James and Joao Pedro of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.