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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

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

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Live Event

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Billy Haisley

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Manchester United and Atalanta at Old Trafford on October 20, 2021 in Manchester, England.

Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F – UEFA Champions League

Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo Has Returned, And The Clock Is Ticking

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Antony of Ajax celebrates with David Neres after scoring their side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between AFC Ajax and Borussia Dortmund at Amsterdam Arena on October 19, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

AFC Ajax v Borussia Dortmund: Group C – UEFA Champions League

Ajax Is Too Loaded To Take Lightly

Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea clears the ball off the line to prevent a goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Chelsea at Brentford Community Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Brentford, England.

Brentford v Chelsea – Premier League

Brentford Can Win Even When It Loses

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes a shot as Danny Rose of Watford FC attempts to block during the Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road on October 16, 2021 in Watford, England.

Watford v Liverpool – Premier League

Mohamed Salah Is Worth Whatever He Wants

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Patrick Redford

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: Sergiño Dest #2 of the United States reacts as he is substituted out of the game during the second half of a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Costa Rica at Lower.com Field on October 13, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Costa Rica v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Sergiño Dest

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: The United States celebrate a goal by Sergiño Dest #2 during the first half of a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Costa Rica at Lower.com Field on October 13, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The USMNT Is Hitting Its Stride

Jonathan Osorio #10 of Canada celebrates a goal by Tajon Buchanan #11 during a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Panama at BMO Field on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Panama v Canada: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

Canada Is Rising

US Paul Arriola (C) vies for the ball with by Panama's Eric Davis during their Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Concacaf qualifier match at the Rommel Fernandez stadium in Panama City, on October 10, 2021. (Photo by ROGELIO FIGUEROA / AFP) (Photo by ROGELIO FIGUEROA/AFP via Getty Images)

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The USMNT Crapped Itself, But It’s Probably Fine

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammate Nicolás Gonzalez after scoring the first goal of his team during a match between Argentina and Uruguay as part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on October 10, 2021 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Argentina v Uruguay – FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Argentina Finally Has The Balance It Needs To Be The Best

SANDY, UTAH - JUNE 09: Yunus Musah #18 of the United States in action during a game against Costa Rica at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 09, 2021 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Costa Rica v United States

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Yunus Musah

Mariona Caldentey of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal WFC at Estadi Johan Cruyff on October 05, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.

FC Barcelona v Arsenal WFC: Group C – UEFA Women’s Champions League

Barcelona Picked Up Where It Left Off, As The Best Team In The World

Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden (C) scores his team's equalisier during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England, on October 3, 2021.

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It Doesn’t Get Better Than Liverpool And Manchester City


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


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Claire Watkins

Los Angeles Football Club v Los Angeles Galaxy

NWSL

The NWSL Was Working As Intended

Busio sips on an espresso after joining Venezia.

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What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gianluca Busio

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Kelsey McKinney

Crystal Dunn #19 of the Washington Spirit celebrates with her teammates after her goal against the Western New York Flash during the first half of the 2016 NWSL Championship at BBVA Compass Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Houston, Texas.

2016 NWSL Championship

NWSL Cancels Weekend’s Games In Wake Of Multiple Scandals

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Albert Burneko

Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong, looking confused and helpless against Benfica

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All Of What’s Miserable About Barcelona In 2021 Is Congealed Into The Form Of This Doofus

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Tom Ley

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup – Quarterfinal – North Carolina Courage v Portland Thorns FC

NWSL Players Association Calls For Investigation Into Coach’s Alleged Misconduct

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 28: Players of FC Sheriff celebrate after victory in the UEFA Champions League group D match between Real Madrid and FC Sheriff at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 28, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Real Madrid v FC Sheriff: Group D – UEFA Champions League

There’s A New Sheriff In Town, And That Sheriff’s Name Is FC Sheriff

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League first round group A football match between Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) and Manchester City at The Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on September 28, 2021.

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PSG Is A Work In Progress

AC Milan's French defender Pierre Kalulu (2ndR) touches the ball with the hand in the penalty area during the UEFA Champions League Group B football match between AC Milan and Atletico Madrid on September 28, 2021 at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

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Nothing Is Easy For Atlético Madrid Right Now

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Ansu Fati (TOP) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Levante UD at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 26, 2021.

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Ansu Fati Is Renewing The Faith

Yoane Wissa of Brentford celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Brentford Community Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Brentford, England.

Brentford v Liverpool – Premier League

Brentford Is For Real

Dane Sealy while training with Bayern Munich last year.

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What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Dante Sealy

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

This Is Just A Terrible Time To Be James Rodríguez

Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea jumps up as the team celebrate the second goal scored by N'Golo Kante of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 19, 2021 in London, England.

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – Premier League

Chelsea Is Unstoppable Right Now