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

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 09: Malik Tillman of Rangers celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round second leg match between Glasgow Rangers and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox Stadium on August 09, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Soccer

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Malik Tillman

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic applauds the crowd after the UEFA Europa Conference League Knockout Round Play-Off Leg One match between Celtic FC and FK Bodoe/Glimt at Celtic Park on February 17, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Cameron Carter-Vickers

LEEDS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Tyler Adams of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road on August 6, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Tyler Adams

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR JUNE 14: Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts during the match between El Salvador and the United States as part of the CONCACAF Nations League at Cuscatlan Stadium on June 14, 2022 in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Photo by Alex Peña/Getty Images)

The USMNT Endured Baptism By Mud

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 01: Tim Weah #21of the United States celebrates with Antonee Robinson #5 after scoring a first half goal against Morocco at TQL Stadium on June 01, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I Can’t Wait To See The USMNT Get Meaningfully Tested


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


Claire Watkins

The United States celebrate a goal by Trinity Rodman #14 (C-R) during the second half against Uzbekistan at Subaru Park on April 12, 2022 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Why Equal Pay For Equal Work Finally Became A Reality For The USWNT

Billy Haisley

The United States celebrate a goal by Trinity Rodman during the second half against Uzbekistan at Subaru Park on April 12, 2022 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

To Get True Equal Pay, The USWNT And USMNT Had To Break The Mold

BERN, SWITZERLAND - OCTOBER 20: Jordan Siebatcheu Pefok of BSC Young Boys reacts during the UEFA Champions League group F match between BSC Young Boys and Villarreal CF at Stadion Wankdorf on October 20, 2021 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Jordan Pefok

Laura Wagner

Defector Up All Night

Poor Gio Reyna

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 24: Gregg Berhalter, head coach of United States greets to the fans during the match between Mexico and The United States as part of the Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Azteca Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gregg Berhalter

USA's Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring a goal during US Mens National Teams 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier vs. Panama at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida on March 27, 2022.

The USMNT Is Going To The World Cup

Giovanni Reyna of United States fights for the ball with Johan Vásquez of Mexico during a match between Mexico and United States as part of Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Azteca Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Gio Reyna Is Taking Us Where We Need To Go

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Weston McKennie #8 of the United States is congratulated by Christian Pulisic #10 and Tyler Adams #4 after scoring a goal during the second half of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier match against Mexico at TQL Stadium on November 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The United States defeated Mexico 2-0.(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

The USMNT Is Injured As Hell And Has No Margin For Error

ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 02: Luca de la Torre #17 of the United States dribbles the ball against Honduras in the first half of a World Cup Qualifying game at Allianz Field on February 2, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The United States defeated Honduras 3-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Luca De La Torre

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Lille OSC at Stamford Bridge on February 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Christian Pulisic Gets Back On Track

ST. PAUL, MN - FEBRUARY 02: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Honduras in the second half of a World Cup Qualifying game at Allianz Field on February 2, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The United States defeated Honduras 3-0. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

USMNT Thrives In Torture Chamber Of Its Own Making

Tom Ley

Well That Was Annoying

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 27: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States makes a corner kick in the second half during the World Cup qualifying game against El Salvador at Lower.com Field on January 27, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

USMNT Wins Procedurally Generated World Cup Qualifier

COMMERCE CITY, CO - MARCH 22: Fans of the United States national team cheer, wave a flag, and sing as snow falls during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier match between Costa Rica and United States at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 22, 2013 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

There’s No Good Reason To Send The USMNT Into The Freezing North

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Zack Steffen of Manchester City celebrates after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Burnley at Etihad Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Zack Steffen

Barcelona's US defender Sergino Dest controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 30, 2021. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Sergiño Dest Is Probably Moving On Up From Barcelona And It Feels Terrible

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 23: George Bello #21 of Atlanta United against Alex Roldan #16 of Seattle Sounders during the first half at Lumen Field on May 23, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: George Bello

Gioacchini giving an interview after arriving at Montpellier

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal:  Nicholas Gioacchini

Clark celebrating a win over Atlanta United

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Caden Clark

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Tim Weah #20 of the United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier match against Mexico at TQL Stadium on November 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)