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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

You DID Hear It From Us: There's Normal Gossip Merch

NEW NORMAL GOSSIP MERCH!

Merch v3

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Billy Haisley

Ayase Ueda of Japan controls the ball against Thet Hein Soe of Myanmar during the FIFA World Cup Asian 2nd qualifier match between Japan and Myanmar at Panasonic Stadium Suita on November 16, 2023 in Suita, Osaka, Japan.

Japan v Myanmar – FIFA World Cup Asian 2nd Qualifier

Soccer

Japan Is For Real

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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Charles P. Pierce

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq v Japan – FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago

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Luis Paez-Pumar

Dejected Peru players support each other after being defeated by Australia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia Socceroos and Peru at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on June 13, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Australia v Peru – 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff

This Is Why No One Should Play Soccer In Qatar During The Summer

Stefan Spirovski of North Macedonia celebrates their side's victory as Joao Pedro Galvao of Italy looks dejected after the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout round play-off match between Italy and North Macedonia at Stadio Renzo Barbera on March 24, 2022 in Palermo, Italy.

Italy v North Macedonia: Knockout Round Play-Offs – 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Oops, Italy Did It Again!

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Patrick Redford

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)

Mexico v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

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

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)

Honduras v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

USMNT Thrives In Torture Chamber Of Its Own Making

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)

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USMNT Wins Procedurally Generated World Cup Qualifier

Lisandro Martínez of Argentina competes for the ball with Vinicius Junior of Brazil during a match between Argentina and Brazil as part of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers at San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on November 16, 2021 in San Juan, Argentina.

Argentina v Brazil – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier

It’s All Coming Together For Vinícius

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)

Tim Weah Answers All The Right Questions

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: The United States celebrate a goal by Sergiño Dest #2 during the first half of a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Costa Rica at Lower.com Field on October 13, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Costa Rica v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

The USMNT Is Hitting Its Stride

Jonathan Osorio #10 of Canada celebrates a goal by Tajon Buchanan #11 during a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Panama at BMO Field on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Panama v Canada: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

Canada Is Rising

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)

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The USMNT Crapped Itself, But It’s Probably Fine

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 05: Christian Pulisic #10 of United States protests a call against him during the second half of their World Cup qualifying match against Canada at Nissan Stadium on September 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. United States ties tied Canada 1-1. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christian Pulisic

Canada v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

It Is Not Yet Time To Panic

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Chris Thompson

Health staff members argue with head coach of Argentina Lionel Scaloni and players of Brazil and Argentina during a match.

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World Cup Qualifier Halted So That Four Premier League Players Can Be Deported

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Tom Ley

El Salvador v United States – CONCACAF Qualifiers for Qatar 2022

That Was Certainly A USMNT World Cup Qualification Game

SANDY, UTAH - JUNE 09: Reggie Cannon #20 of the United States celebrates a goal during a game against Costa Rica at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 09, 2021 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Costa Rica v United States

Now Comes The Hard Part For The USMNT

World Cup Qualifiers