Pablo Maurer

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

Sorry for the spoiler, but it appears someone at NYT Games is an MLS sicko (from today's "connections")

World Cup host cities ‘running out of time’ with $625m in funding held up by shutdown Officials warned of potential event cancellations if World Cup host cities do not receive the funds, which are set to be administered by Fema

On Capitol Hill this morning, lawmakers and city officials both expressed concern that World Cup host cities may face extreme budgetary shortfalls if promised federal funds aren’t released ASAP.

Fan tests could be cancelled.

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

VAR just completely destroys the flow of the game sometimes, as it just did in Seattle. God.

Lionel Messi’s referee confrontation in tunnel did not violate policy, MLS says The Inter Miami star confronted officials after a 3-0 loss to LAFC, but MLS determined that the area of the confrontation was not off-limits

MLS has cleared Lionel Messi of wrongdoing after his post-game altercation with match officials on Saturday night.

Messi appeared to pursue the referees down a hallway, but the league says it wasn't a restricted area.

Details (w/@jeffrueter.bsky.social): www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Watching STL v CLT on Apple TV. On-air talent on these broadcasts has never been the issue, it has always been the production - the sound on this broadcast is dreadful. Poorly mixed, there've been multiple times when commentary/ambient noise have cut out completely. Just awful.

D.C. United 2026 Season Is Here! Yay?

NEW EPISODE!

@jasondcsoccer.bsky.social on Weiler's tactics, what's up with Herrera, why "boring" would be an improvement for DCU, and his new project, Green Line Soccer.

Also, my DCU season preview segment on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social.

TWO hours of DCU convo!

open.spotify.com/episode/1WRk...

MLS 2026 predictions: Messi v Son, a Timo Werner rebirth and are Inter Miami inevitable?

The 2026 MLS season kicks off on Saturday. Our writers discuss the teams, players and story lines they’re watching this year

thanks for saying hello! i am always grateful and thrilled when that happens, and thank you for reading.

This will be my 14th year covering MLS in some way, shape or form, and my 8th doing it full-time. I feel incredibly fortunate to be gainfully employed and writing about the sport - and culture - that I love, MLS or otherwise. I'm excited for the year ahead.

2026 MLS Watchability Rankings: Which clubs are most entertaining?

🌟 2026 MLS Watchability Rankings

Love doing this exercise every year. Feels particularly useful for me on paternity leave to start the season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

MLS 2026 predictions: Messi v Son, a Timo Werner rebirth and are Inter Miami inevitable? The 2026 MLS season kicks off on Saturday. Our writers discuss the teams, players and story lines they’re watching this year

NEW: Have you heard? The 2026 MLS season kicks off tomorrow.

Predicting the playoff teams, the award winners, the narratives, the ✨discourse✨, and whatnot. It's Juan Manuel Sanabria summer.

With @anabnos.com, @mlsist.bsky.social, and @grahamruthven.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...