One of the things I’ve learned in my decade of covering soccer is that not all peers are created equal. Paul Kennedy has always been incredibly welcoming and kind. He’s treated me as an equal when I had no such right to claim it. Massive congrats to him on his retirement from SA editor.

The new laws around THC/green in Texas are fucking insane.

What a fairy tale beginning for Vermont Green. Already the men have two championships and the women were runner’s up. Ridiculous rate of success.

I have the soundtrack of this album on vinyl. Such a masterpiece.

Your Boys Took a Hell of a Beating@ybtahoab.bsky.social · last wk.

🎬⚽As Zinedine Zidane returns to the front line of football, we take a look at “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” - one of the finest movies about one of THE greats. 🍿Enjoy! substack.com/home/post/p-...

BREAKING: The USL and USLPA have reached a tentative agreement for the first CBA in Super League history, giving their women's players standardized rights like minimum salaries ($37.2K w/risers), player consent to transfers, insurance, housing. More on ESPN:

USL Super League, union agree to CBA key terms

The USL Super League and the USL Players Association announced on Thursday a tentative agreement over key terms of its first collective bargaining agreement.

espn.com

⭐️ A Star for Salmon Bay: The USL W League FINAL 🟣 Months of blood, sweat, & tears came to a conclusion over the weekend when the USLW League held its Final in Seattle. @salmonbayfc.bsky.social hosted @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social in a Sold Out Interbay Stadium www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/a-s...

You might get sick of hearing this but if he keeps doing it I'm gonna keep saying it: this is an unconstitutional impoundment, violating both Congress' Article I spending authority and the 1974 Impoundment Control act, and immediately impeachable.

Catherine Rampell@crampell.bsky.social · 2w ago

Trump administration pauses $1 bln in Medicaid payments to California, Minnesota www.reuters.com/world/us-hea...

🎙️ @joshhakala.bsky.social founder of theCup.us, joins @danvaughn.bsky.social to discuss his entry into soccer, his goals for covering the Open Cup, and how he'd change the competition to make it more viable for the future open.spotify.com/episode/6eC0...

The Protagonist: Josh Hakala

Protagonist Podcasts · Episode

open.spotify.com

What an amazing conversation I just had. Can’t wait to share with all of you.

Listening to the audio version of “Everyone Who is Gone is Here” by Jonathan Blitzer. The history of our meddling in the affairs of Central America is long and bloody. Disturbing shit.

The announcers are so England sided, it’s hard to even listen to. Fuck England. Fuck Harry Kane. But goddamn, Jude is a treasure.

📚 Our The Protagonist Zine was reviewed in @11freunde.de Magazine! Be sure to give them a follow. 👍 Vielen Dank, dass Sie unser Magazin gelesen haben!

David Applegate of US Soccer and @dens.nyc of @theleaguefc.bsky.social have responded and their quoates are now within the article.

Protagonist Soccer@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 4w ago

You might have missed the announcement, depending on how much of a @opencup.ussoccer.com sicko you are, but yesterday US Soccer announced the schedule and rules for Open Division qualifying for the 2027 USOC and, in doing so, showed which leagues it values. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/uso...

Back to back articles from this guy? Has the writer’s block disappeared? Have I found a new normal? Does my day job notice when I write at work?

TLfC postseason update! 26 ➡️ 15 Only 4️⃣ will qualify for the National Finals. Is your club still alive? @ironrosefc.bsky.social @stockadefc.com @tulsaathletic.bsky.social

I want @wesburdine.bsky.social and @mattprivratsky.bsky.social to know that I picked Aurora to advance to the final this weekend.

A bit of writing on the USL W League semifinals that kick off Saturday. There's so much to love about all four of these teams and I break down these exciting matchups. Such a great league, wish it wasn't such a short season.

Protagonist Soccer@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 4w ago

The USL W League playoffs are down to the semifinal matchups. @salmonbayfc.bsky.social hosts @mnaurorafc.bsky.social and @vermontgreenfc.bsky.social will face @ashevillecitysc.bsky.social in Burlington. @danvaughn.bsky.social breaks down the match ups. www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/202...

I desperately need the @scuffed.bsky.social recap. Waiting as patiently as possible.

In what world do republicans have ANY moral ground to speak on this?

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4w ago

Caldwell: "The moral compass in the Democratic Party has long been dead. I think back to 2020, when there was an allegation by Tara Reade ... "

Maybe it wouldn't have helped, but I wish this man got a chance to play for us.

I’ve always sort of held out hope for Pulisic being the next goat, but I’m done with him after this tournament. Soft as tissue paper in the rain. Zero mental fortitude. Not a leader.

You know what the USMNT could’ve used tonight? Some mental resilience.

So Poch got us…as far as Berhalter did? Yay us.

This right here.

Anthony DiCicco@adicicco.bsky.social · 4w ago

The debate was quieted because we’ve been fine, but this is the Diego Luna game. The one where you want him, his energy, his endeavor.

How did Gio do anything positive in his time in the World Cup? Can we stop giving him a pass for potential and judge him for what he actually did?

Adam Whittaker Snavely@snaves.bsky.social · 4w ago

I think Gio did help the US coming on just getting the ball up the field and providing more cleverness on the ball, but boy he better turn into Riquelme fast because those legs really might be fully gone

Dogshit take.

Stu Holden SHUT THE FUCK UP.

Big Rom gets his.

Justice for Haji.