Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 19m

A question from the stands:

Danny Page @danny.page · 1h

If Major League Soccer doesn’t care enough to watch their own games in order to write about them, why should we watch their games?

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 1h

As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1h

Messi left Argentina’s national team during a FIFA window to play in a MLS game.

Apple headlined Messi the morning after another team in the league won a trophy.

The league is using generative AI for match reports on its website.

There are similar notes in all three songs.

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 1h

As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.

MLS is using generative AI to write match recaps. Writers used to get paid freelance rates to do that. Hssssss.

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 1h

As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 2h

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

With thanks to the dean of the #USMNT press box, @pkedit.bsky.social, for his help combing through box scores of all 27 U.S. men’s World Cup games of the modern era.

They’ve played 3 centerbacks in 7 games: 2 in 2002, 3 (infamous ones) in 1998, and 2 in 1990.

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century

It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

www.inquirer.com

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

It’s been almost a quarter of a century since the #USMNT played with three centerbacks at a World Cup. But right now, it seems that will change next summer.

A deep dive into Mauricio Pochettino’s new tactics, a star who gains a lot, and one facing a big question:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century

It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

www.inquirer.com

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Sam Kunti @samindrakunti.bsky.social · 4h

Happy to share that my book will be released in paperback next May, just in time for the 2026 World Cup.

It's available for pre-order.

www.waterstones.com/book/brazil-...

Brazil 1970 by Samindra Kunti | Waterstones

Buy Brazil 1970 by Samindra Kunti from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.

www.waterstones.com

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 13h

4-0 final, by the way.

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 14h

On the out-of-town scoreboard:

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 13h

bsky.app/profile/nwsl...

NWSL @nwslsoccer.com · 13h

Delphine Cascarino with a perfect pass, Dudinha with a precise finish 🎯

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 13h

What a goal by the San Diego Wave.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 14h

The out-of-town scoreboard is, at least for some of us, presented by Esskay Franks.

(On the list of obscure references in 2025.)

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 14h

On the out-of-town scoreboard:

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 15h

More seriously, tonight is further proof of why the Union had to finish the job last weekend.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 15h

Messi and Müller score on a Saturday night.

Who cares what other soccer is going on in the world…

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 16h

Sunset over the cloud-covered Rockies on arrival in Denver, always a great city to visit - and a great airport.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 18h

All the complaining we’ve done over the years about MLS playing through FIFA windows gets run over by Lionel Messi playing for Miami tonight.

Why stop when you can have a superstar be with his national team in his club’s city, then go from the national team to play for the club - and back after?

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Kathleen Gier @kgier.bsky.social · 18h

Surprise! Temwa Chawinga checks in and scores her 15th of the season. Beautiful ball through from Bia, who scored the other Current goal this match.

51' Kansas City 2, Gotham FC 0

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

@farfarraway.bsky.social does it again:

www.inquirer.com/columnists/s...

Philly’s Scrapple Sculpting Contest was won by a Delco tattooer who carved the Tush Push

Philadelphia Art Museum director and CEO Sasha Suda, who judged the competition, said the winning sculpture pushed scrapple "to its absolute limits."

www.inquirer.com

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

Of the two previous times I've been here, at least one (I forget which) came with a brutally long line at PreCheck. I arrived very early today expecting that again.

And the traffic in this town gets pretty bad during the week.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

Twenty-one minutes from hotel door to airport door with no traffic, on an Austin City Limits weekend, and no line at TSA PreCheck.

As we say in soccer, I give thanks for the miracle and don’t give a damn who performs it.

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Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

With thanks to the dean of the #USMNT press box, @pkedit.bsky.social, for his help combing through box scores of all 27 U.S. men’s World Cup games of the modern era.

They’ve played 3 centerbacks in 7 games: 2 in 2002, 3 (infamous ones) in 1998, and 2 in 1990.

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century

It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

www.inquirer.com

1 12

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 1d

It’s been almost a quarter of a century since the #USMNT played with three centerbacks at a World Cup. But right now, it seems that will change next summer.

A deep dive into Mauricio Pochettino’s new tactics, a star who gains a lot, and one facing a big question:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/usmnt...

The USMNT seems on course to do something it hasn’t done in nearly a quarter century

It's a big change for the U.S. to play with three centerbacks, Here's an explanation of how the new tactics affect that position and other key players, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

www.inquirer.com

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 1d

The #USMNT played its best 90 minutes under Mauricio Pochettino in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. You can see the confidence building in its new tactical flexibility and identity — and players are embracing the approach.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

USMNT effectively embraces its new tactical identity under Pochettino

It's taken a year, but Mauricio Pochettino appears to have landed on the best way to accentuate the U.S.'s attacking strengths

www.nytimes.com

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Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, amid losses and negativity, Mauricio Pochettino told his USMNT players to "keep calm."

He essentially told us, the media, to chill with the overreactive, "bullshit" criticism.

He was right.

Piece from Austin last night: www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Mauricio Pochettino preached calm amid USMNT negativity. His team just proved him right

The perception of the head coach and his team's readiness for the World Cup has been helped by two solid performances

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jonathan Tannenwald

Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 2d

The first time the Union won a major trophy, Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie were on the field.

The second time, the team's most famous alumni were in Europe, and woke up the next morning to the news.

I asked them how it was to follow this one from afar:

www.inquirer.com/soccer/phila...

Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie celebrate the Union, their old team, winning a trophy

This season's Supporters' Shield is the Union's first title since the two former stalwarts helped win the Shield in 2020. It was their last big feat before they both made big moves to Europe.

www.inquirer.com

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