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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

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.

Lesley Photo

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 sparkle ball

NWSL

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

Investigations Editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

DFM New Headshot

Diana Moskovitz

San Diego Wave FC signage is displayed before the game between San Diego Wave FC and North Carolina Courage at Snapdragon Stadium on September 08, 2024 in San Diego, California.

San Diego Wave Logo

Soccer

Sixth Ex-Wave Employee Joins Lawsuit, Alleges Supervisor Sent Her Dick Pics

San Diego Wave flags during the NWSL match between the San Diego Wave FC and the Portland Thorns on May 26, 2023, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA.

San Diego Wave, NWSL Sued For Team’s “Abusive And Hostile Work Environment”

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Presentation by two secretaries of the typing robot at the exhibition 'Happiness in the office', in Paris, France, on October 13, 1960.

Le robot Facit

The Machines

ESPN Masks Cynical AI Pivot As Benevolent Coverage Of “Underserved” Sports

Abigail Segel is a writer based in Montreal.

Screenshot 2023-06-14 at 10.34.24 AM

Abigail Segel

Mallory Swanson poses with her arms in the air during a USWNT portrait studio session on February 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Mal Swanson

Mal Swanson Is Back! And So Are The Red Stars

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

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Tom Ley

Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States celebrates her goal in the first half against France during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France.

France v USA: Quarter Final  – 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France

Megan Rapinoe Couldn’t Have Done It Any Better

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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

Claire Watkins is a musician and writer living in Chicago, IL.

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Claire Watkins

United States v Australia: Bronze Medal Match Women’s Football – Olympics: Day 13

Carli Lloyd Was A Self-Contained Superstar

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

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Laura Wagner

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup – Quarterfinals

Journalismism

The Era Of Lady Boss Sports Team Owners Is Upon Us