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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.

Defector

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Podcasts

Mana Shim Walked Away From Soccer, Then She Rebuilt Her Life

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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

Soccer

The NWSL’s Struggling Teams Are Falling Behind

Rory Dames’s SafeSport Suspension Has Ended

<p>Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.</p>


Lesley Ryder


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">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

A detailed view of a Nike NWSL ball prior to the NWSL match between Angel City FC and Gotham FC at BMO Stadium on August 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

NWSL

Docs: NWSL Received Eight Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment, Or Retaliation Complaints This Year

The NWSL Offseason Put Important New Faces In New Places

A detail of the NWSL logo on a game ball prior to the NWSL match between the Houston Dash and the Angel City FC at Shell Energy Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

The NWSL Received 43 Complaints In 2024, And Five In The First Half Of This Year, Public Records Show

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

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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