Pablo Maurer

Fun fact: I was born here. In Philly, not at Bob and Barbara’s. Tho I may die there some day.

Hi, Philly. 📍

A friendly reminder that the easiest way to get me information generally is at hello@pablomaurer.com - always here for tips, story ideas, questions, concerns or compliments.

(screams) CUT THE MUULLLLEEEETTTT. Fun fact, I saw him perform live in 1998 and he grabbed me and head butted me a little too hard for comfort.

Folks, it’s been a long week already.

Pele x NY Cosmos x Antiques Roadshow? Yes, please.

Very cool piece of memorabilia from his last-ever game - I do think the appraisal is a touch high, though.

Still amazing.

Ernst Tanner has provided the Guardian with the following comment, following the news that MLS has reopened its investigation into him:

MLS reopens investigation into Philadelphia Union executive as team places him on leave Tanner denies the allegations contained in a Guardian investigation into his conduct as Union sporting director, including claims of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior

NEW: Following our @us.theguardian.com investigation, Major League Soccer is reopening its own investigation into Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner.

The club says Tanner has since been placed on leave.

Details here: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

MLS executive who built a powerhouse faced allegations of sexist, racist and homophobic behavior Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner denies the allegations, which prompted a recently-concluded MLS investigation that could not corroborate them

NEW: Ernst Tanner has built a powerhouse at the Philadelphia Union.

But my @us.theguardian.com investigation has shown wide-ranging allegations of misbehavior throughout his 7-year tenure.

Tanner denies the allegations, and was investigated by MLS this year.

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

the photo makes it look like a rap video but i fully know that in reality you are dying inside right now as you choke down coffee

MLS executive who built a powerhouse faced allegations of sexist, racist and homophobic behavior Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner denies the allegations, which prompted a recently-concluded MLS investigation that could not corroborate them

NEW: Ernst Tanner has built a powerhouse at the Philadelphia Union.

But my @us.theguardian.com investigation has shown wide-ranging allegations of misbehavior throughout his 7-year tenure.

Tanner denies the allegations, and was investigated by MLS this year.

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

Zohran Mamdani has upended US politics. Now he should take on Fifa | Jules Boykoff New York’s mayor-elect has taken on powerful institutions. With the World Cup taking place in his city, he should challenge Fifa next

Zohran Mamdani—a real-deal soccer aficionado & magnetic political force—is the right guy to lead the charge against FIFA. For too long, FIFA has been “fully focused on monetizing the sport, no matter the collateral damage,” as @leanderalphabet.bsky.social put it www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Absolutely insane goal in insane conditions in the CPL final. Absurd.

If you have enough match-worn vintage American soccer stuff you can pull together a last-minute costume like 1997 MLS REFEREE OF THE YEAR ESSE BAHARMAST (this is his kit from 1996.) Only downside is you die alone. Love Cindy the cat’s cameo here too.

The short life and long death of Chivas USA Chivas USA wasn't around for long, but the lessons of MLS's most egregious cautionary tale resonate to this day

Your yearly reminder that Sam Stejskal and I wrote a 13,000-word history of Chivas USA way back when. Some truly incredible shit in there. www.nytimes.com/athletic/216...

Remember, MLS fans, if you’re still looking for a Halloween costume, you can always go as a ghost.

‘God was in town’: The night Diego Maradona played in Canada Maradona still had the magic, even in a late-career match against Canadian semi-pro all-stars in 1996. "It was just beautiful."

Diego Maradona would've turned 65 today.

A few years ago I wrote one of my all-time favorite stories: the improbable, insane tale of Maradona's one-game career with a Canadian minor league team, complete with long-lost footage, photos & interviews.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/206...

@romanmars.bsky.social heard the teaser after the last endless thread episode and i PRAY TO GOD that the sega game is seaman. was obsessed with it 20 years ago.

They say we have no “footballing culture” but right now in America, there’s a team named “Sharktopus FC” that just earned a replay of a loss because the ref for their last match turned out to have once been a player for their opponent’s second team. 🇺🇸

Don’t get a tattoo of Striker, they said. Your body is a temple, they said.

I’m so thrilled to see @tombogert.bsky.social back at The Athletic! I was there when he left the first time and none of us wanted him gone in the first place. 😊

Guys, I think I need to talk to whoever makes DC Power’s score graphics

We literally just played one in a country where the stadiums were built by slave labor and the president of FIFA seems to be besties with Trump so…. yeah I think it’ll
still happen, buddy.

Filmed for a documentary yesterday in NYC and I was chatting w/a PA who played for the Nashville Metros in 2008.

I told him I grew up going to games in Nashville in the 90s w/a handful of other soccer weirdos. The rise of @nashvillesc.bsky.social still feels like a fever dream. Congrats, guys.

Sure do hope I end up covering the World Cup for an outlet becuase I feel absolutely certain that there's no way, shape or form I'll be able to afford even one game as a fan.

Maybe the best thing about coaching high school soccer is you get to witness moments where the kids support and love each other & lift each other up through tough moments. There’s plenty of bitching too, but it is so, *so* wonderful to witness kids that age showing kindness to each other.

@clintonyates.bsky.social look at this fam

thanks so much man. really. thank you for reading.

A random person walked up to me in the airport in Raleigh-Durham a couple of weeks ago and told me they loved my writing. It happens occasionally, and it’s always the nicest thing. In that moment, it felt so important I could’ve cried. It’s just been a tough few months. So if that was you, thanks.

To be clear, when I say "cut," I mean they were fired. They'll be replaced, in some form or another. Not clear yet by who.