CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Patrick Redford

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic #10, and Tyler Adams #4 on the field after playing Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League third place match at SoFi Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Soccer

The USMNT Is Going Nowhere

Lily Yohannes of the United States looks to the ball

Enjoy The Lily Yohannes Victory Lap

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Jamaica leg two of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.

The Best And The Worst Of Christian Pulisic

Gregg Berhalter, Head Coach of United States reacts after the first half during the CONMEBOL Copa America USA 2024 Group C match between Panama and United States at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

The Era Of Low Expectations Is Over

Ray Ratto

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 1: United States Head Coach Gregg Berhalter walks across the field at the end of the CONMEBOL Copa America group C match between the United States and Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 1: during the CONMEBOL Copa America group C match between the United States and Uruguay at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on July 1, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

U.S. Soccer Is Damned If It Does

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JUNE 08: Tim Weah #21 of the United States reacts during the second half against Colombia at Commanders Field on June 08, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

The USMNT’s Loss To Colombia Was A Comprehensive Embarrassment

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Sam Coffey #17 and Lily Yohannes #6 of the United States enter the field for warmups prior to playing the Korea Republic at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on June 01, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Lily Yohannes Is The Truth

Korbin Albert of the United States arrives at the field

USWNT Stars Past And Present Condemn Rising Star Korbin Albert’s Noxious Internet Habits

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Gio Reyna #7 of United States celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during Final - Concacaf Nations League match between Mexico and United States at AT&amp;T Stadium on March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Gio Reyna Has His Swagger Back

The EFSC players celebrate after their big win.

An Interview With The Manager Of El Farolito SC, San Francisco’s Burrito-Funded U.S. Open Cup Heroes

MONZA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan scores his team's second goal during the Serie A TIM match between AC Monza and AC Milan - Serie A TIM at U-Power Stadium on February 18, 2024 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

How Thrilling It Is To Have Christian Pulisic Back In Top Form

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring first goal during the Serie A Tim match between Genoa CFC and AC Milan at Luigi Ferrari Stadium on October 7, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Christian Pulisic Is Finally Back In The Groove

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - MARCH 30: USA head coach Gregg Berhalter and Giovanni Reyna #11 arrive at the stadium before a FIFA World Cup qualifier game between Costa Rica and USMNT at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on March 30, 2022 in San Jose, Costa Rica. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Gregg Berhalter Knows He Needs Gio Reyna, Even If They Still Haven’t Spoken

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Vlatko Andonovski, Head Coach of USA, speaks to the media in the post match press conference following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Sweden and USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Melbourne / Naarm, Australia. (Photo by Alex Grimm - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

It Is Mercifully Vlatkover

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 18: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Folarin Balogun Is Exactly Who The USMNT Has Been Waiting For

TOPSHOT - United States forward Alex Morgan (C) raises the SheBelieves Cup trophy as the United States Womens National Soccer Team celebrates following the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between the United States and Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Alex Morgan Is All The Way Back

Gregg Berhalter, Head Coach of United States, gives instruction to Giovanni Reyna during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Report: Reyna Family Gave U.S. Soccer Details About Gregg Berhalter’s 1991 Domestic Violence Incident

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 3: Greg Berhalter of the United States lines up for the national anthem before a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USMNT at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Gregg Berhalter, U.S. Soccer Release Statements About Alleged Blackmail Plot Over 1991 Domestic Violence Incident

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Sergino Dest of USA controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Internationals

Why Not U.S.?

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Adams of United States of America talks with Yunus Musah of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

USMNT Stands Tall Against England

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 23: Aaron Long #5 of the United States looking for an open man during a game between Japan and USMNT at Düsseldorf Arena on September 23, 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Aaron Long

USA's forward Paul Arriola (R) points to forward Daryl Dike (L) after an opportunity during the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal football match between USA and Jamaica at the AT&amp;T stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Andy JACOBSOHN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY JACOBSOHN/AFP via Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Daryl Dike

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)

The USMNT Crapped Itself, But It’s Probably Fine

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 25: Ricardo Pepi #24 of the MLS All-Stars scores in the shootout win against the Liga MX All-Stars during the 2021 MLS All-Star game at Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Ricardo Pepi

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Antonee Robinson of Fulham runs with the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Fulham at The Den on August 17, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)