Did yall know ted lasso is a fictional soccer show?

We begin with a clip from Ted Lasso filmed at CPKC stadium

I need people to understand that for the last half decade that there’s been an ecosystem of trans folks in sports media who have worked unpaid to serve as experts for context, sources and educators on what it’s like for trans athletes, in hopes of potential bylines and contacts. That’s dried up.

Sydney Bauer@sydney-bauer.com · 19h ago

I hate sounding like a conspiracy person but there’s a reason that this Sophie Cunningham thing is on like day 7 of discourse and how there’s absolutely very little trans staff writers driving the news coverage of it.

Coming up at the top of the hour: NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman will make her midseason remarks, and take questions after!

#WNBA but present it like a soap opera.

The 2027 NWSL season has a frosty start, and a big game clash. Can the NWSL stand out in the NFL’s biggest week? Can they make a climate-friendly schedule in time for opening day????

We are in for a treat in tomorrow’s WAFCON match-ups. No one in Group C has clinched a quarterfinal spot, so everyone needs a win to control their fate. Nigeria must beat Egypt, and Zambia must win against Malawi if they want a shot at a World Cup berth. africa.espn.com/espn/story/_...

WAFCON Permutations - How do Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana keep World Cup hopes alive?

Only Morocco, of the WAFCON favourites, have avoided an early setback during their group stage campaign, with all of Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana falling to defeat in one of their fixtures so far.

africa.espn.com

"Weather is always something that we schedule around. I don't think we want to build a schedule that inherently sets us or players up for a challenging game." & yet the Feb 6 Challenge Cup will be played at a site "that avoids cold weather & league will look at markets currently outside the NWSL"

Jeff Kassouf@jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 23h ago

The #NWSL plans to kick off its 2027 season on Feb. 11 in LA, 3 days before the Super Bowl across town. It's the earliest NWSL start ever, necessary due to ~7 weeks off for the World Cup. More on NWSL realities of February, World Cup...and scheduling as MLS flips its calendar:

This is an AWFUL idea, lol. LA will be crowded, and everyone loses to the NFL. No way y'all talk to the right people about this.

Jeff Kassouf@jeffkassouf.bsky.social · 23h ago

The #NWSL plans to kick off its 2027 season on Feb. 11 in LA, 3 days before the Super Bowl across town. It's the earliest NWSL start ever, necessary due to ~7 weeks off for the World Cup. More on NWSL realities of February, World Cup...and scheduling as MLS flips its calendar:

My W group chat has already deemed the Sirens the "Murder Mermaids," making them immediately 10,000 times cooler

TSN@tsnofficial.bsky.social · yesterday

The Cleveland Sirens are officially the newest team in the #WNBA!

on Sophie Cunningham and a trans controversy that doesn't involve any actual trans people: defector.com/the-right-ha...

THE WHITE SOX??? BUYING PLAYERS AT THE TRADE DEADLINE????????

the obsession with trans women in sports is, apart from the abject bigotry, a symptom of how we take amateur sports participation way too seriously in this country.

New first draft high score!

MARINE DAFEUR WHAT HAVE YOU DONE

This is the WNBA & Indiana Fever’s fault. This is from XX XY Athletics’ IG account—that’s Sophie Cunningham with Riley Gaines & Jennifer Sey. The worst transphobes. I haven’t written about it bc it’s gutting how unprepared the league was for this & now we have explicit hate visible at games.

Anything can happen in the NWSL, but so far this Stars team gives us no reason to believe they’re just one result away from kickstarting a big run. galpalsports.com/db/stars-los...

Stars lose 4-straight, fall to last place

I’m tired of this, Grandpa

galpalsports.com

Many of the same culprits of the NWSL's transphobia flare-up in November are gleefully stoking the WNBA's current crisis. There's a lot to learn from Sarah Gorden & Angelina Anderson's responses then, and Brianna Turner & Cheryl Reeve's responses now. Both leagues need to follow suit.

The Anti-Trans Grifters Are Coming For The NWSL | Defector

In July, the Guardian reported that the NWSL had quietly allowed its policy on the participation of transgender players, established in 2021, to expire. The scrapped policy used the testosterone level...

defector.com

Welcome back, chaotic shield race!

Alison Gale@agale.bsky.social · 3d ago

Gotham is now atop the #NWSL table for the first time this season! Lots of movement elsewhere and many mid-table teams have 2 games in hand so things will stay interesting

It takes a lot of guts to play your opening season on hard mode.

Jackie Contreras@jackiedigital.bsky.social · 3d ago

Denver Summit gets a penalty after BSG pushes Flint in the box. Sonis converts and equalizes. 1-1 with 20+ mins left

We’ve been saying it for awhile now but Portland, the luckiest team in the league, were due some serious defensive regression. This is who they are — today they are getting properly punished for it.

Austin Buchanan@austinbuchanan.bsky.social · 3d ago

Wow that back line shape for Portland is horrendous. Poor denial of entry in the wide area, poor CB shaping, poor box defending

But also, the Portland regression to the mean continues. The league is weird enough that they'll still make the post-season, but it's been stark, even with the performances of Wilson and Tordin.

Kind of insane how KC added the best player in the league and in the process unbalanced the lineup so much that it got worse

Justin Horneker@hornekerjustin.bsky.social · 3d ago

There's a Superstar tier of NWSL players this year; everyone over 3.0 goals added in ASA database tracks well with who we perceive as the NWSL's stars: Bethune, Banda, Chawinga, Wilson, and Rodman. Then, there's clear ROY Jordynn Dudley (2.60 g+) Then, the next tier +1.5 g+ and hello Cece Delzer.

THE UTAH SOCCER ROYALS

Jonas Eidevall? Being a shitstirrer??

Lesley Ryder@lesleyryder.bsky.social · 10mo ago

More from the Stars this morning: Ella Masar shared this video from last night, asking Jonas Eidevall why he sent a player to the Stars huddle when they were up 3-0. When she asked last night, he said “why is she speaking to me.” “Your assistants have my number. Please call me to explain.”

My theory is Sophia Wilson has to boff one every now and then to blend in with us mortals.

Dash from The Incredibles on the Track

Alt: Dash from The Incredibles on the Track, where he will run a totally normal speed without his abilities

static.klipy.com

Man what a year for Cece Delzer

There is no version of yourself you could become that would satisfy the people who hate you. So you might as well be who you are.

The Washington Spirit since July 3 (30 days) W vs. Houston W vs. NC L vs. Gotham W vs. Boston W vs. Denver W vs. Utah ? vs. San Diego That's a whopping 7 (!) games in that stretch, AKA a game every ~4.3 days on average

Spirit trailing by one at home? With 10ish minutes left?