Welcome to The Friday Chart, in which Defector contributor Harry Krinsky attempts to turn whatever’s been going on in his head lately into a chart.

The Friday Chart: Is The Game About A Bucket?

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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.

Defector

Luis Paez-Pumar

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino applauds the fans during an international friendly match between the United States and Peru at Inter&amp;Co Stadium on September 26, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

Soccer

Mauricio Pochettino Leaves The USMNT For An Even Bigger Mess

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn (1) defends the goal during the NWSL quarterfinal match between San Diego Wave FC and Utah Royals as part of the 2026 NWSL Playoffs on November 6, 2026 in San Diego, CA.

NWSL

Utah’s Superhero Keeper Will Face Washington’s Attacking Horde


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Culture Writer</p>


Israel Daramola

Ray Ratto

Grayson McKeogh #65 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with fans after they rushed the field after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 at Notre Dame Stadium on November 07, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana.

College Football

Notre Dame Brings Havoc To The CFP Rankings

Aaron Timms

Soccer Can Find Salvation In A Bag Of Tricks


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

Ukraine. Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Melec-Chesmenskyi Kurgan Museum. Burial mound

Science

Would You Get Stoned With The Scythians?

Patrick Redford

Co-founder, President and CEO of US technology company Nvidia, Jensen Huang, gestures during a press briefing in Paris on October 13, 2026. (Photo by Joel Saget / AFP)

Politics

Horny Nvidia CEO No Longer CEO, Possibly Still Horny

<p>Harry Krinsky is a producer and media consultant living in Brooklyn. He is the cohost of <em><a href="https://defector.com/tag/nothing-but-respect">Nothing But Respect</a></em>.</p>


Harry Krinsky

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The Friday Chart