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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Billy Haisley

Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia.

Australia v Nigeria: Group B – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Soccer

Nigeria Was Ready For Its Moment

VictorPortraitWClaw

David Roth

Sophia Smith lines up a shot in the US Women's National Team's game against the Netherlands in the Women's World Cup on Wednesday night.

USA v Netherlands: Group E – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Podcasts

How Much Vlatko Is Too Much Vlatko, With Abigail Segel

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the second half against the Netherlands during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group E match at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Lindsey Horan And The Power Of Rage Saved The USWNT From Itself

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Abigail Segel

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe at amid heavy rain during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Canada at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Perth, Australia.

Republic of Ireland v Canada – FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Group B

It’s Too Bad Canada Was Better Than Ireland

Mary Wilombe of Zambia post game despair after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Spain v Zambia: Group C – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Zambia Learns How Unforgiving The World Cup Can Be

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Albert Burneko

Kylian Mbappé alone against a blue background

mbappe

What The Hell Is Going On With Kylian Mbappé?

Sarina Bolden (R) of Philippines celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Philippines at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand.

New Zealand v Philippines: Group A – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

While You Were (Probably) Sleeping, Group A Got Real Hectic

Linda Lizeth Caicedo Alegria of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Colombia and South Korea at Sydney Football Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

Colombia v South Korea: Group H – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Linda Caicedo Is The Future

Bia Zaneratto of Brazil celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Brazil and Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium on July 24, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia.

Brazil v Panama: Group F – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Brazil’s Quintessentially Brazilian Goal Is Soccer At Its Finest

Germany's forward #11 Alexandra Popp (R) celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group H football match between Germany and Morocco at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on July 24, 2023.

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Alexandra Popp Is The Dream Crusher

Lo'eau LaBonta and Sam Coffey face off in the 2022 NWSL Championship match.

SOCCER: OCT 29 2022 NWSL Championship – Portland Thorns vs Kansas City Current

Even During A World Cup Summer, There’s A Lot Of Fun To Be Found In The NWSL

Lucy Bronze of England battles for possession with Melchie Dumornay of Haiti during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Haiti at Brisbane Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Brisbane / Meaanjin, Australia.

England v Haiti: Group D – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

It’s Melchie Dumornay’s World Cup, And We’re Just Watching It

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

USA v Vietnam: Group E – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Sophia Smith Is The Answer To Every Question

Aitana Bonmati of Spain and Barcelona celebrates after scoring her sides first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Costa Rica at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 21, 2023 in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara, New Zealand.

Spain v Costa Rica: Group C – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Spain Came Just Short Of Perfection

<p>Kim McCauley covers soccer for The Athletic and ESPN, and worked as a data analyst at Angel City FC. You can <a href="https://twitter.com/kimischilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/kimischilling&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1690042325485000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3FfPKUcZC9_LzSiHDnR1Ox">follow her on the bird app</a>.</p>
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Kim McCauley

Alyssa Thompson #7 of the United States dribbles the ball during the first half of an international friendly against Wales at PayPal Park on July 09, 2023 in San Jose, California.

Wales v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Alyssa Thompson

Alanna Kennedy of Australia celebrates the team's 1-0 victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Australia and Ireland at Stadium Australia on July 20, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.

Australia v Ireland: Group B – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

Australia Beat Ireland And Bought Time

Hannah Wilkinson (2nd R) of New Zealand celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park on July 20, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand v Norway: Group A – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

New Zealand Opened The World Cup With A Victory For The Ages

Assistant referee raises his flag for offside

Spanish Soccer – Logrones v Real Madrid

The Worst And Less Worse Ways To Explain The Offside Rule To Soccer Dummies, Ranked

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Defector Staff

A general view of the fanfestival in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 which begins on the 20th July jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 – Previews – Wednesday 19th July

Contained Within This Post Is A Comprehensive Preview Of Every Goddamn Team In The Women’s World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo, with mostly empty stands in the background

ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Being A Butt Again

Mayra Ramirez (R) of Colombia celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of her team during a Group A match between Ecuador and Colombia as part of Women's CONMEBOL Copa America Colombia 2022 at Estadio Pascual Guerrero on July 17, 2022 in Cali, Colombia.

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Colombia Is Ready To Shock The World Again

A map of Oceania, where Australia and New Zealand have World Cup ball patterns. Over it are three tickets to GO FUND ME AIRLINES, where Gal Pal Sports, Shea Butter FC and Diaspora United are all going to from USA to the World Cup

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How A Fan Community United To Send Indie Women’s Soccer Media To The World Cup

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Patrick Redford

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 07: Players of Korea Republic huddle on the pitch prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group A match between France and Korea Republic at Parc des Princes on June 07, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

France v Korea Republic: Group A – 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France

Can South Korea Finally Break Out At The World Cup?

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Samer Kalaf

Karim Benzema at his signing with Al Ittihad

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Saudi Arabia’s Plan Is To Make A Better Version Of MLS

Morocco team line up during the Women´s International Friendly match between Italy and Morocco at Stadio Paolo Mazza on July 01, 2023 in Ferrara, Italy.