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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Patrick Redford

LEIGH, ENGLAND - JULY 22: Stina Blackstenius of Sweden celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal which was later disallowed by VAR for an offside during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final match between Sweden and Belgium at Leigh Sports Village on July 22, 2022 in Leigh, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

Sweden v Belgium: Quarter Final – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

Soccer

This Could Finally Be Sweden’s Year

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 23: Marta Cox and Wendy Natis of Panama celebrate with team member Raiza Gutierrez during the 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament match between Paraguay and Panama at Waikato Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Paraguay v Panama – 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament

Panama Has Done Its Job Simply By Making The World Cup

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Debinha #9 celebrates with her teammate Marta #10 of Brazil after scores 1st goal during the match between Japan and Brazil at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

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It’s Brazil Versus Time At This World Cup

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Billy Haisley

Khadija Shaw of Jamaica celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's third goal during the match between Jamaica and Haiti as part of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship at BBVA Stadium on July 11, 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Jamaica v Haiti – 2022 Concacaf W Championship

It’s Time For Jamaica To Grow Up

Portugal's players celebrate scoring during a group A play-off tournament match between Portugal and Cameroon for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, Feb. 22, 2023.

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Portugal Is Finally Where It Ought To Be

Lieke Martens of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring her teams first goal, Danielle van de Donk of the Netherlands during the International Women's Friendly match between Netherlands and Belgium at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion on July 2, 2023 in Kerkrade, Netherlands

Netherlands v Belgium – International Women’s Friendly

The Netherlands Will Find Life At The World Cup Much Harder This Time Around

Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy (L) celebrates with Vietnam's captain Huynh Nhu (R) after a goal during the women's football match between Vietnam and Philippines at RSN Stadium during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 9, 2023. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP) (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images)

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Vietnam’s World Cup Debut Could Be Short And Sweet

LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 06: Wang Shuang of China (C) and teammates thanks supporters for standing during the International Womens Friendly match between Switzerland and China at Swissporarena on April 6, 2023 in Lucerne, Switzerland. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Switzerland v China PR – International Womens Friendly

China Has A Hard Path Back To World Cup Glory

Haiti celebrate qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup after their victory in the 2023 FIFA World Cup Play Off Tournament match between Chile and Haiti at North Harbour Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Chile v Haiti – 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play Off Tournament

Haiti’s The Underdog With The Biggest Dog

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Ray Ratto

MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Lucy Bronze of England pointing during the Women's International Friendly match between England and Portugal at Stadium MK on July 01, 2023 in Milton Keynes, England.

England v Portugal – Women’s International Friendly

England’s Last Step Will Be The Hardest

RIFU, MIYAGI, JAPAN - JULY 24: Babra Banda #11 of Team Zambia leads their side out prior to the Women's First Round Group F match between China and Zambia on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Miyagi Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Rifu, Miyagi, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Zambia Is Here For A Good Time, And Maybe Even A Long Time

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Albert Burneko

The Spain women's national team huddles on the field after losing to Italy in the UEFA Euros

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Spain Is A Big Ugly Mess With Some Extremely Cool Players

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 31: Raquel Rodríguez #11 of Costa Rica celebrates her goal against Haiti during the second half during a Group A - 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying at BBVA Stadium on January 31, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Haiti v Costa Rica: Group A – 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying

Can Costa Rica Sneak Up On The World Again?

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Abigail Segel

SAINT LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Kristie Mewis #22 of the United States with the ball during a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/USSF/Getty Images).

Ireland v USWNT

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Kristie Mewis

Members of the Canadian womens national soccer team wear "Enough Is Enough" shirts in protest for equal pay ahead of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup soccer match between Canada and Japan at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on February 22, 2023.

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Canada Needs A Win, And They Might Just Get One

Mary Fowler of the Matildas celebrates scoring a goal with Sam Kerr of the Matildas during the Women's International Friendly match between the Australia Matildas and Brazil at CommBank Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Sydney, Australia

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The Matildas Have Australia’s Hopes On Their Shoulders

Ramona Bachmann of Switzerland celebrates scoring their side's first goal with teammates Noelle Maritz and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off round 2 match between Switzerland and Wales at Stadion Letzigrund on October 11, 2022 in Zurich, Zurich

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Switzerland Is Back At The World Cup, But For How Long?

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Ada Hegerberg celebrates after their sides victory with Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 group A match between Norway and Northern Ireland at St Mary's Stadium on July 07, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Maddie Meyer - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Norway v Northern Ireland: Group A – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022

Norway’s Quest For Redemption Starts Now

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Tom Ley

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 21: Football Ferns player Grace Jale during a New Zealand Football Ferns training session at North Harbour Stadium on June 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand Football Ferns Training Session

New Zealand Can’t Blow This Chance To Break Its World Cup Losing Streak

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States runs on the field during a game between Ireland and USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in Saint Louis, Missouri.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Sophia Smith

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 11: Trinity Rodman #25 of the United States runs for the ball during an international friendly game between Ireland and the USWNT at CITYPARK on April 11, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Trinity Rodman

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 8: Crystal Dunn #19 of the United States passes the ball during the first half against the Republic of Ireland in a 2023 International Friendly match at Q2 Stadium on April 8, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Ireland v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Crystal Dunn

Lynn Williams #6 of the United States controls the ball during the SheBelieves Cup game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

2023 SheBelieves Cup – Brazil v United States

What Is This USWNT Player’s Deal: Lynn Williams

Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States dribbles the ball during a game between Brazil and USWNT at Toyota Stadium on February 22, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

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