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Billy Haisley

Fans celebrate the tying goal scored by Enner Valencia of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Ecuador and Argentina at Estadio Monumental on March 29, 2022 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Ecuador’s Bright World Cup Future Starts Now


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


Leo Baudhuin

Crystal Dunn And The Portland Thorns Just Need One More Moment

Tom Ley

Qatar Bought The World Cup, Now Has To Prove It Can Play In It


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

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 Had A Year

Luis Paez-Pumar

Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig celebrates scoring their side's second goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League group F match between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid at Red Bull Arena on October 25, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany.

Christopher Nkunku Is Just The Best

Dwight McNeil of Everton celebrates with teammate Alex Iwobi after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on October 22, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

All Of Everton’s Paths To Success Run Through Alex Iwobi

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.

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

Patrick Redford

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 27: Giovanni Reyna #11 of the United States moves towards the box during a FIFA World Cup qualifier game between Panama and USMNT at Exploria Stadium on March 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by John Todd/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gio Reyna

Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona celebrates her team's third goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League Group D match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at Estadi Johan Cruyff on October 19, 2022 in Sant Joan Despi, Spain.

Asisat Oshoala Put An Exclamation Point On Barcelona’s Rout

Thibaut Courtois receives the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper during the Ballon D'Or ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris on October 17, 2022 in Paris, France.

There’s A Reason Keepers Don’t Win The Big Hardware

Liverpool's Diogo Jota (left) and Chelsea's N'Golo Kante battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Thursday March 4, 2021. (Photo by Oli Scarff/PA Images via Getty Images)

The World Cup Injury Crisis Is Only Going To Get Worse


<p>Claire Watkins is a musician and writer living in Chicago, IL.</p>


Claire Watkins

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

How The Chicago Red Stars Became The Epitome Of NWSL Dysfunction

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal prior to the referee cancelling the goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 16, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

For Real Madrid, The Clásico Was Just Another Game

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


Charles P. Pierce

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 16, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Mohamed Salah Is The Difference

NORWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Josh Sargent of Norwich City celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Norwich City and Millwall at Carrow Road on August 19, 2022 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Josh Sargent II

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale at Spotify Camp Nou on October 12, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

Lautaro Martínez Went Bigger Than Bull Mode On Barcelona

Hirving Lozano of Napoli celebrates after scoring the first goal for Napoli during the UEFA Champions League group A match between SSC Napoli and AFC Ajax at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 12, 2022 in Naples, Italy.

Napoli Is Soaring To The Top Of Europe

Laura Wagner

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 11: Megan Rapinoe of USA reacts during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and USA at El Sadar Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain

USWNT Loses Two In A Row

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain arrives to the stadium for the Ligue 1 match between Stade Reims and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Auguste Delaune on October 08, 2022 in Reims, France.

Kylian Mbappé Wants To Leave A PSG He Couldn’t Make His Own

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal celebrates scoring their 3rd goal with Martin Odegaard during Pre-Season Friendly, The Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Sevilla at Emirates Stadium on July 30, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Why Can’t This Be Arsenal’s Year To Win The League?

NWSL Report Reveals Systemic Abuse, Institutional Failures

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 23: Aaron Long #5 of the United States looking for an open man during a game between Japan and USMNT at Düsseldorf Arena on September 23, 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Aaron Long

Neymar Jr of Brazil celebrates after scoring their side's third goal with his teammates Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta during the international friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France.

The World Cup Is South America’s To Win

Head coach Jorge Vilda of Spain looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier group B match between Spain and Ukraine at Ciudad del Futbol de Las Rozas on September 06, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.