A 64-team men's World Cup is marginally better than a 48-team men's World Cup purely because it eliminates the need for third-place teams to make the knockouts. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The USL has a new vice-chair, Kewsong Lee, and some new investment geared toward its upcoming D1/pro-rel launch. The firm, BellTower, also invested in the group that built the stadium/mixed use project for Rhode Island FC, and that wants to do similar in Albany. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Tired: The rapture Wired: This www.theguardian.com/environment/...

This, as with every soccer event held in a theater, could have been an email.

I have always been impressed with Steve Spagnuolo’s ability to have two pens on him at any given moment.

Most hilarious Chiefs game of the Mahomes era, no question.

If this politics thing doesn’t work out Brad Lander can always start a marketing firm for young British men called Lad Brander.

The Shield race is crazy. @grahamruthven.bsky.social breaks it down: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

With a week to reflect on the September international window, the optimist's case that actually the USMNT is just fine. @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Given Charlotte’s win streak and the potential for history this weekend, it’s seemed a little silly to me that commentators have had to qualify the record as the longest streak “in the post-shootout era” or whatever. Shootout wins should count as draws for this purpose, right? Seems obvious to me.

Marcos Llorente already looked a lot like Diego Forlan with the long blonde hair and the headband and the Atlético Madrid kit so he went ahead and completed the look with two goals at Anfield.

Can I interest anyone in an extremely nice bike that is fun as shit to ride? newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/d/br...

Really good story

American soccer news: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

let’s keep this going, for fisher and for lindsey www.gofundme.com/f/fisher-rec...

Fisher is the first and to date only dog I’ve ever taken for a walk. He did great; really showed me the ropes. He’s a wonderful fuzzy guy, worth helping.

HE'S A BIG STRONG GUY #LGM

Soccer doesn't need another "All or Nothing" or"Welcome to Wrexham" or its own version of "Drive to Survive." It needs its own version of "Some Kind of Monster." And it needs Manchester United to be Metallica.

No qualifications whatsoever: this is a great idea.

Still probably my favorite piece of writing about New York City.

Zohran Mamdani, speaking to the Guardian (podcast tomorrow!), explained more about his petition to Fifa to end dynamic pricing, why he loves Arsenal, and what he'd do in a box with Donald Trump at the World Cup final: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Zohran Mamdani, speaking to the Guardian (podcast tomorrow!), explained more about his petition to Fifa to end dynamic pricing, why he loves Arsenal, and what he'd do in a box with Donald Trump at the World Cup final: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

An eye-opening investigation by @wcraft.bsky.social & @maanvisingh.bsky.social. Extremely worth your time and attention. www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

Some thoughts on the #USMNT window, alongside esteemed colleagues @jakubfrankowicz.bsky.social, @leanderalphabet.bsky.social & @jonarnoldfc.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Poch on yesterday's feistiness: "My wife said, 'why were you like this in the press conference? These guys are so nice. When you were in France, in England, they were very [harsh] but [US press] are nice guys.' "Yeah, but it wasn't for them. It was said for some people who are not professional"

Pochettino says his wife told him the U.S. press corps are nicer than ones he faced in England and France and that he shouldn’t have cursed at them (re: the “bullshit” quote that made the rounds yesterday).

That's more like it. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

You all know the definition of insanity. This isn’t that, at least. 3 at the back from the start. Should be interesting, probably!

Can Barcelona do a single thing as a club that isn't delayed by some sort of administrative issue? www.theguardian.com/football/202...

can’t let ray appreciation day go by without the clip of ronaldinho making him roast a child, and he wasn’t wrong, none of us know this kid

This is great - a Ray rant I hadn't heard before!

Another Ray Hudson-ism. "Miami, falls apart like six-week old broccoli."

"He'll follow you into a revolving door and come out first"

"Raul, man, he's like a Twinkie. He would survive a nuclear war."

"THE MENACING MAN ARRIVES AND SINKS HIS FLAMING SPEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF REAL MADRID" www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQZQ...

Everyone please brighten my day - reply to this with any Ray Hudson phrase you enjoy. I'll start "Like a Jedi knight.....nahh, better than that, a Templar knight!"

Me but about two USMNT games that, ultimately, mean very little.

Ray Hudson was an early evangelist when we were just hitting our stride at The Athletic Soccer; to hear a voice that gave me joy for years compliment our staff was special. A legend in the booth who appreciated everything that made, and makes, American soccer special. He'll be missed in retirement.

I just can’t stop equating it to the exact same punishment Dempsey received for tearing up the notebook. Spitting should be a way bigger deal

Considering Héctor Herrera got 2 MLS games for spitting at a ref last year, Suárez getting 3 for spitting at an opposing staffer seems pretty consistent. That said, to me, both punishments feel super woefully inadequate for *spitting at/on someone*. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT-Japan md-1 presser now underway. An early swipe at the critics when asked about Chris Richards' status: "People sometimes create debate... the important thing is to apply the common sense. If people sometimes want to talk about bullshit, we can talk about bullshit..."

Me watching the Kansas City Royals chase a Wild Card spot:

I bike through this bullshit at least a few times a week and it SUCKS.

The #USMNT faces another big test against Japan tomorrow. Here's @johnduerden.bsky.social on what they can expect from the Samurai Blue: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Eric Ramsay wept for there were no more worlds to conquer

The USTA’s censorship of Trump dissent at the US Open is cowardly, hypocritical and un-American | Bryan Armen Graham

My story from Harrison, now updated with thoughts from Pochettino, whose public demeanor really did not match the result: www.theguardian.com/football/202...