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<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

Detail of the Bedazzled NWSL ball prior to the NWSL match between Angel City FC and San Diego Wave at BMO Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

NWSL Soccer Is Back, But The Scandals Haven’t Gone Away

Luis Paez-Pumar

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United F.C. celebrate with fans after scoring the second goal during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England.

Newcastle Exposed The Cracks In Liverpool’s Armor

Billy Haisley

Real Madrid players celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain on March 12, 2025. Real Madrid won in a penalty shootout.

Real Madrid Is A Monster, And Every Derby Is Halloween

Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on March 11, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

Lamine Yamal Wows On Accident And On Purpose

Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton &amp; Hove Albion celebrates after he scored his side's first goal for 1-1 during the Premier League match between Brighton &amp; Hove Albion FC and Fulham FC at Amex Stadium on March 8, 2025 in Brighton, England.

The Premier League’s Tightest Race Is For Fifth Place

Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson (C) dives to punch the ball during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Liverpool (ENG) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 5, 2025.

Liverpool Pulled Off The Heist Of The Season

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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

USA's forward #9 Ally Sentnor celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the SheBelieves Cup football match between USA and Japan at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, on February 26, 2025.

Emma Hayes Shows Us The USWNT She Believes In

Pedro Gonzalez 'Pedri' of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid during the Copa del Rey semi-final Leg One match between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on February 25, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

Pedri’s Got The Whole World At His Feet

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at St James' Park on February 23, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Alexander Isak Has Reached The Mountaintop

Ray Ratto

Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, reacts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Manchester United FC at Goodison Park on February 22, 2025. He has his hand over his mouth and looks aghast.

Does Manchester United Exist? Its Manager’s Answer May Surprise You

Michael Olise of Bayern Munich controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany.

At Bayern Munich, What Michael Olise Says Goes

Albert Burneko

Ex-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales arrives at the Audiencia Nacional San Fernando de Henares on February 13, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

Luis Rubiales Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Jenni Hermoso

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates his second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

This Is Why You Spend So Much Money On Kylian Mbappé

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2025 in London, England.

No One Can Save Manchester United From Itself

Tom Ley

Everton supporters invade the pitch after James Tarkowski scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on February 12, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Everton And Liverpool Drove Everyone The Good Kind Of Crazy

Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid (L) and Rico Lewis of Manchester City (R) in dispute for possession during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England.

The Manchester City And Real Madrid Defenses Barfed All Over Themselves

The digital signage shows the NWSL logo on it before the National Women's Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Houston Dash at Red Bull Arena on July 31, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

NWSL To Pay $5 Million To Abused Players As Part Of Settlement

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa gives a thumbs up during the warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

Will Jhon Durán Ever Be Back?

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England.

Arsenal Did To Manchester City What Manchester City Used To Do To Everyone Else

Former McGill women's soccer players Stéphanie Hill and Mara Bouchard, in separate side by side photos, playing soccer.

“It Changes Everything”: What Canada’s New Women’s Soccer League Means To Two Of Its Players

Naomi Girma of Chelsea waves to the crowd as she is unveiled as a Chelsea player prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 26, 2025 in London, England.

Naomi Girma’s Move To Chelsea Is Ambition Incarnate

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, reacts during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Leicester City FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 26, 2025 in London, England.

Tottenham Inches Towards Implosion

Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain reacts after scoring during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes on January 22, 2025 in Paris, France.

Paris Saint-Germain Revived Manchester City’s Woes

Justin Kluivert of AFC Bournemouth celebrates scoring his team's third goal and his hat-trick during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 18, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Justin Kluivert Has Finally Arrived

Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim applauds at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford in Manchester. He looks pretty sad.