Pablo Maurer

Week three and Red Bull New York supporters already have a 1000-mile stare, my God.

Another thought - I know some long-time fans were irritated when this match was moved, but it was a must, IMO. And if you’re going to move it, I’d much rather drive an hour to Baltimore/M&T than watch at FedEx Field (er, Northwest Stadium) which is three miles from my house.

72,000 fans turned up to watch DC United. But only Messi’s Inter Miami dazzled DC United sought to use the occasion to woo Charm City, but another flat loss put Miami’s quality in sharp relief

A few thoughts from Baltimore last night, on @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Really incredible text tonight from my fav ex girlfriend, who watched me cover dc united for a decade

Club says this crowd here is a sellout of 72,026. That would make this crowd the largest in the history of this stadium — it's a great crowd, to be clear, but it ain't that.

Never not surreal to see any MLS match this well-attended, Messi or otherwise.

Nah, it’s a marketing exercise and a much larger payday than it would be at Audi. Right now, they’re alienating more of these potential converts than anything else.

ICYMI: The USL emailed every Championship player an FAQ doc that included guidance on “crossing a picket line” and “Union membership resignation.”

An active player said teammates couldn’t find it until they checked spam. “I just think it’s a bunch of bullshit.”

Full report at @us.theguardian.com.

The thing is - I get why players go to the WH. I’ve lived in DC for two decades and have been many times & it’s the people’s house - it is a moving experience. I don’t blame players for going, I blame (certain) Presidents for politicizing their visit and subjecting them to that shit.

There are plenty of times when I miss Grant Wahl personally, but I frequently miss his work & miss him professionally - the more frequent the intersections between American politics & soccer become, the more I miss that side of him. Just sharing a thought.

Messi and Inter Miami were wallpaper for Trump’s whims in their White House visit The US president welcomed the 2025 MLS Cup champions in a ceremony beset by tangents and awkward asides

Inter Miami became the latest team to become wallpaper in Trump’s White House. Even by the standards of this administration, and even by the standards of American soccer, it was a truly bizarre thing to watch.

Me, on @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Then again, I can't even spell flexibility, so maybe I don't deserve the full-time writing job I have. :)

Must-haves: "flexability" is a red flag if I've ever seen one, lol. Same bucket as "exposure," etc.

Fascinated by how little the 2026 WC has changed the soccer media landscape in the US. Was always talked about as a crucial, job-creating moment — nobody out there is hiring, and even the friggin rights holder to the World Cup is making freelance hires instead of full-time ones.

Rooting for five random people on the Foxborough, Massachusetts Select Committee taking down and humiliating FIFA, its most recent "Peace Prize" winner Donald Trump, and his buddy, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, at the world's biggest stage in less than two weeks

‘It’s not acceptable’: Will a small town be left $7.8m on the hook for the World Cup? At a meeting of the board that governs the World Cup stadium in Foxborough, promises were made if not accepted

Outside Boston last night, the local government remains concerned they'll be left on the hook for nearly $8mil in World Cup-related security expenses. And still, nobody knows who'll pay.

7 World Cup matches hang in the balance.

Me, on @us.theguardian.com:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Absolutely incredible from Messi: scores a free kick, squares up to the Orlando supporters’ section as he celebrates, then asks an Orlando City assistant coach if he wants his autograph. The dude truly understands a rivalry, even in MLS. Put it in my veins.

So rare that you get this in early-season MLS but - what a fun run of games today, specifically NYCFC/Philly and this Miami/Orlando madness. I’ve just been rotting on the couch for hours tbh.

Have usually enjoyed the way Chris Penso calls games but he’s having a bit of a shocker in this Philly match. Woof.

greatest league in the world

Am I the only person experiencing transmission issues w/MLS matches on Apple? Probably once every 15-30 seconds I get a hesistation in video and audio for a split second. Just trying to figure it if it's an issue generally, or specific to my setup - did it last week too.

As expected, this was made official this morning.

MLS's experimental rule changes that cut time-wasting, sped up play are going global Soccer’s international rule-making body is widely expected to adopt the timed substitution rule and the off-field treatment rule, both first implemented by MLS

MLS Next Pro’s pioneering anti-time-wasting measures are likely to be adopted by IFAB tomorrow and should feature in the 2026 World Cup.

On @us.theguardian.com - my look at the measures, the latest in a long line of American ⚽️ innovations adopted abroad: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Epstein files contain explicit but unsubstantiated claim that Trump abused minor Department of Justice did not release FBI memos when it uploaded millions of pages of files beginning in December

The Guardian has obtained the missing 302s from the Epstein files, describing accusations against Donald Trump. Story from @jsweetli.bsky.social and @jgedeon.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Kristi Noem blames Democrats for shutdown holding up $625m in World Cup funding Host city officials raised concerns earlier this week, saying delays in the delivery of $625m in funds for security could result in World Cup event cancellations

The saga continues: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

I don't have one, I grew up down the road a bit in Nashville :)

oh shit!

The most noteworthy NWSL kits of 2026: Disco, a Lady Liberty fever dream and more This season’s crop of tops draw on Venus flytraps, cherry blossoms and classic soccer jersey designs – to varying degrees of success

Over on @us.theguardian.com, I've once again offered my entirely unsolicited opinion on some kits, and this time I'm doing the NWSL.

Again: I'm doing this as someone who can barely dress himself & is largely considered to be a dumpster, aesthetically. Enjoy. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Man, I hate this shirt so much. Goes to show you how subjective these things are - this looks like TV static to me!

World Cup host cities ‘running out of time’ with $625m in funding held up by shutdown * Funds promised for security have not been received * Officials warn of potential cancellations to fan festivals Local and national officials expressed concern on Tuesday that the ongoing partial government shutdown in the United States could adversely affect planning and preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which is just over 100 days away. In a hearing before the House committee on homeland security, representatives from Miami, Kansas City and New Jersey – three locations that will host a combined total of 21 matches in the tournament, including the final – said they are still waiting on federal funds to be released to their respective local agencies. Last July, lawmakers pledged $625m in federal assistance toward World Cup security via the Trump administration’s “big beautiful” policy bill. Continue reading...

World Cup host cities ‘running out of time’ with $625m in funding held up by shutdown