Congratulations to Eric Miller on re-signing where it all started! His first professional match was for Portland U-23s, May 15, 2012 at Jeld-Wen, a day he scored his first professional goal (and received his first professional booking)! #RCTID

On another note, I read a lot of non-soccer books too this year and this was by far my favorite. The writing and insight are incredible. It is not a dry history book! It's lively but also benefits from a lifetime of academic engagement in the subject. www.powells.com/book/summer-...

It’s the end of the year, so here’s a thread of soccer books I read and enjoyed in 2025.

Kavanaugh tries to put the "Kavanaugh Stops" genie back in the bottle

Whoops I lied... 🙃 What is the new High Impact rule and what does it mean for the Portland Thorns? #BAONPDX 📸: @kelseybaker.bsky.social More here on HOW the HIP rule impacts the team 👇 stumptown-footy.ghost.io/comment-how-...

Ah yes, the famously informed and reflective Ballon d’Or Féminin and a not-at-all convoluted and devoid of ball knowledge “SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes.” An all-time fumble from a league that looks less confident in its trajectory and planning with every passing week.

If NWSL is going to copy jury rigged solutions from MLS, the least it should do is not make them *more* complicated.

So we've now outsourced the valuation of players for an American soccer league to European media. Looking forward to mediocre English players making more than their superior American equivalents!

I don’t know how to say this except to say it: I’m a Guardian top 100 voter and have been invited in the past to vote in ESPN FC’s ranking. There’s no reason why that, or certainly any “most marketable” ranking that’s even more subjective, should determine if a #NWSL player gets a big salary.

Dominic Calvert-Lewis has scored six goals from a tiny part of the pitch — the smallest goalscoring area of any player in Europe this season. @thom-harris.bsky.social breaks down why he is so effective at creating chances there. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

There’s a chance Colorado Rapids become Mile High SC and that is some drunk ass NPSL level decision making and i hope they do it.

The Free Speech wing of the Free Speech party has made it so you have to upload journalism like it's an ISIS video

Santa Claus Files For Bankruptcy After Attempting To Fulfill The Ticket Wishes Of World Cup Fans www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2025...

This discussion about Leeds and West Ham is especially good

Despite being 2-0 down at half-time to Newcastle United, Enzo Maresca stuck to his game plan — because he knew the hosts would eventually tire out... 🎙️ @jonmackenzie.bsky.social

"Get the principals on camera" is such a telling phrase here, because it tells us that for Weiss there's no world in which the victims of these horrific actions can actually be seen as the subjects of the story: They're background noise, and the people who matter are the ones sending them.

It would be nice to believe there were real issues beyond the Mad King doesn’t like wind, but I’m pretty sure it’s the Mad King doesn’t like wind

CBS didn't run the 60 Minutes segment on CECOT, but over here at @propublica.org we've been working on the story since March, including finding out who each and every man sent to that maximum security prison was. You can see our reporting here: www.propublica.org/series/depor...

📰 Offseason transfer needs for all 30 MLS clubs Big piece diving into the needs/roster flexibility of all 30 clubs, including the latest I'm hearing www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored six goals in his last five games for Leeds United, taking his tally up to seven in the Premier League this season. And his goal map is quite the sight.

Leeds with the best game of the day as we all predicted. LFG

DCL 1: #lufc #ALAW

CALVERT-LEWIN IS THERE AGAAAAIIIINNNNN!!!! GEEEETTTTTTT INNNNN!!!

On the one hand, they have redacted Trump’s name from the Epstein Files. On the other hand, they have put it on the Kennedy Center.

Hallmark movie where Cherki teaches Pep to love again and also the spirit of Christmas

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE RAFFLE! •$7,675 donated so far! • Raffle ends Sunday, 12/21 • See photo below for final list of prizes • 19 total prizes, lots of winners! LMK if you have questions or if you want to join in to help foster teens and kids via $25 gift cards this holiday season! ❤️

I think Justin McLean could earn some serious minutes in 2026. Definitely the SuperDraft pick to watch, especially due to the positional need he can help fill. Profiles as a number 8. #RCTID

Happy Friday! Our last pod of 2025 drops today! Talking Kit Sponsors, Brandon Bye and Transfer targets this offseason. Thanks for listening, hope you all have a wonderful holiday and we'll be back after the New Year! www.buzzsprout.com/924811/episo... #RCTID #OuterRoses

The message then is about expanding beyond your limits. Operating outside of the bare minimums. Not just financially in having an overflowing generosity but in having a generosity of spirt too - giving yourself to other people and making yourself vulnerable in doing so.

The Trump Doctrine is, essentially: “Who’s gonna stop you?”

Your run of the mill Kavanaugh Stop

Not that it will but the willingness of Americans to obey is a very funny contrast with our self-image and should probably prompt some reflection bsky.app/profile/jonf...

Monster of 2025: Alexi Lalas is holding back US soccer

The reaction to this story and Michael’s thread is a prime example of how social media makes people coldhearted assholes

😂

The positive way to spin this is Messi and Miami have done their job, spreading MLS conversations beyond the Sickos out to the casuals and the conspiracy brained.

Portland goes with Justin McLean with the 15th pick. A wide player who can both attack like a forward and create like a midfielder, I think he's an excellent pick at a position of need for the Timbers.

Griffith was a standout attacker with Maryland in 2024, earning all Big-10 honors. Though he didn’t play in 2025 to injury Portland go the attacking route in the draft with McLean in Rd1 and now Griffith. #RCTID

UMD ➡️ PDX 🛬 With the 45th overall pick in the MLS Superdraft we have selected Colin Griffith from Maryland Men's Soccer!

Staying in state 🦫💚 With the 75th overall pick in the MLS Superdraft we have selected Lucas Fernandez-Kim from Oregon State Men's Soccer!

Portland add NC State FW Justin McLean in the first round of Thursday's MLS Draft #RCTID His path to the first team may not be so tricky, learn about the draft pick here ⤵️ www.patreon.com/posts/timber...

How Bukayo Saka creates crossing angles for himself. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

I went deep on some drama over a DQ drive-thru in SE Portland. The franchisee is arguing with the city over his right to include a drive-thru, despite strict zoning rules. It’s sparked debate among neighbors, many of whom are nostalgic for the old DQ, which this business owner demolished in 2019.

Chilling to see them do something smart

We’ve checked the smoke supply. We’re ready. #BAONPDX