Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 3h

Since last year I have covered;

* 2024 NPSL Final
* 2024 MLS Cup Final
* 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final

It would be very funny if I get the chance to cover an MLS Next Pro Final at Montclair State University to cap this two year span off.

#RBNY #NYRBII

cc: @nextpronews.bsky.social

New York Red Bulls @newyorkredbulls.com · 2d

Red Bulls II Select Carolina Core FC as MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Opponent

New York Red Bulls II Select Carolina Core FC as MLS NEXT Pro Playoff Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Opponent | New York Red Bulls II

The latest news, scores, highlights and stats from the New York Red Bulls II.

www.newyorkredbulls.com

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 3h

No, you're the man.

a cartoon of two spidermans standing in front of a nypd van

ALT: a cartoon of two spidermans standing in front of a nypd van

media.tenor.com

Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 20h

Probably one of my roll models in the sports and soccer writing world.

Best of luck to @jeffrueter.bsky.social in his future, hope we get a peak of whatever comes about!

Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 1d

Some personal news: today is my final day at The Athletic, ending a 6+ year tenure on its staff.

Immensely fortunate to have covered this sport alongside some of the finest writers and editors in the industry. Will keep you posted as I figure out what’s next for my work!

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 1d

cc for Open Cup madness ⬆️
@opencup.ussoccer.com
@thecup.us
@tombogert.bsky.social
@theleaguefc.bsky.social
@sickoscommittee.org
@pghsoccernow.bsky.social
@protagonistsoccer.bsky.social
@burritobrava.bsky.social
@sixonefivesoccer.com
@benwright.bsky.social

#EveryOneN #USOpenCup

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 1d

One week ago Nashville SC won the US Open Cup, their first major championship, and El Farolito was honored. This weekend qualifying for 2026 continues in the NYC metro with Scots, Tom Bogert, 4-time champs, & more!

Read on @hudsonriverblue.com:
www.hudsonriverblue.com/neverending-...

NeverEnding Story: Nashville's first trophy, amateurs keep dreaming

Open Cup Digest #20: Just as the 2025 tournament comes to an end the 2026 edition is heating up as teams from New York and New Jersey play qualifiers this weekend.

www.hudsonriverblue.com

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Hudson River Blue @hudsonriverblue.com · 1d

The #USOC is dead; long live the #USOC: Just one week after @nashvillesc.bsky.social win the first-ever professional national championship in state history, qualification for 2026 continues with 8 games taking place in NY and NJ this weekend

Here's @battista.bsky.social with the story ⬇️

NeverEnding Story: Nashville's first trophy, amateurs keep dreaming

Open Cup Digest #20: Just as the 2025 tournament comes to an end the 2026 edition is heating up as teams from New York and New Jersey play qualifiers this weekend.

www.hudsonriverblue.com

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Protagonist Soccer @protagonistsoccer.bsky.social · 1d

🗓️ FC Monmouth vs. Bulldogs SC
🏟️ Count Basie Park, 7pm ET
“FC Monmouth is Qualifying for the first time after having its best season to date in its inaugural season in The League For Clubs. Will be without its normal head coach and some players due to college...”
- Michael Battista

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Reposted by Michael Battista

US Open Cup News @thecup.us · 1d

#USOC2026 qualifying continues this weekend with 59 matches. We are looking for help for games in the following places: (1/2)

Apex, NC
Harrisburg, PA
Glen Allen, VA
Tulsa, OK
Silver Spring, MD
Chicago
Napa, CA
Gilbert, AZ
North Olmsted, OH
Decatur, GA
Thornton, CO
Miami (3)
West Palm Beach, FL

a south park cartoon character says i 'm gonna need your help

ALT: a south park cartoon character says i 'm gonna need your help

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Michael Battista

John Muller @johnspacemuller.com · 2d

MLS has Pochettino on a major new show launch livestream that's being watched by dozens of people

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Mike Pendleton @phat7deuce.bsky.social · 2d

This is (part of) how you make the Open Cup a big deal. By treating it...like a big deal. Lots of respect to Nashville SC for this.

SixOneFive Soccer @sixonefivesoccer.com · 2d

On Sunday, Nashville SC presented the first championship trophy in the city's history to a crowd of nearly 4,000 fans, a milestone moment for the club and the sport of soccer in Tennessee.
www.sixonefivesoccer.com/gallery-nash...

Gallery: Nashville SC's Open Cup celebration

The Boys In Gold brought the US Open Cup trophy to Geodis Park to celebrate with the fans

www.sixonefivesoccer.com

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 1d

Reason why I don't watch the Rags as much.

Reposted by Michael Battista

Sickos Committee @sickoscommittee.org · 1d

We have an ongoing CONCACAF situation in Nicaragua.

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 1d

✨ Magic of The Cup ✨

FC Monmouth will have Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) of CBS Sports Golazo & more to conduct the coin toss ahead of their 2026 US Open Cup Second Qualifying Round match this Saturday against Bulldogs SC.

@opencup.ussoccer.com
@hudsonriverblue.com
@theleaguefc.bsky.social

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Reposted by Michael Battista

James Nalton @jdnalton.bsky.social · 3d

Chaotic ending to Libya v Cape Verde. Cape Verde, needing a win to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 and had chances to win it. Will now have to wait until Monday at home to Eswatini 🇨🇻

Libya 3, Cape Verde 3, in African World Cup qualifying. Scoreline graphic from FotMob.

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Dan Creel @dancreel.com · 3d

What the actual fuck?!

That's the club y'all disingenuously kicked out of the league because you didn't want to play them in the playoffs.

And now they're good enough to promote your tournament?

Gross.

NISA Official @nisasoccer.bsky.social · 4d

Today's countdown features a true NISA scoring phenom!

🏆⚽ The NISA Pro Cup is just 6️⃣ days away, kicking off on Monday, October 13th.

All matches will be broadcast live on the National Soccer Network on Roku TV, YouTube, and NISA+.

#NISAProCup #PureSoccerOpportunity ✨

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Nicholas Murray @njemurray.bsky.social · 3d

When he signed with the New York Cosmos a decade ago in the NASL, Haji Wright was the precursor to what we're seeing regularly in the #USL-C now with young talent choosing that path for their careers and aspirations.

Great to see what he's doing now for Coventry City. #USMNT

Steven Goff @stevengoff.bsky.social · 3d

Haji Wright, the English Championship’s leading scorer at Coventry City, is making a play for a USMNT World Cup roster slot.

My story from camp in Austin …

sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...

From super-sub to starter? Haji Wright's Coventry form is too good for the USMNT to ignore

As he leads Coventry City's promotion push, the soft spoken L.A. native is turning his English revival into a World Cup audition.

sports.yahoo.com

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Reposted by Michael Battista

NY International FC @nyintfc.bsky.social · 4d

In the 42nd min of our APSL match last night, Pancyprian player #9 James Thristino suffered a head laceration following a head-to-head collision. We’re grateful that both of our team Doctors were there administering treatment within seconds. Our entire club is hoping JT9 has a speedy & full recovery

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Red Bulls Nation @rdbullnationnyc.bsky.social · 5d

With the #RBNY hopes of the playoffs gone, the team has to play out the rest of its season.

They did just that - emphasis on play out - as the team lost to Cincinnati, 1-0, in the final match at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

#RedRunsDeep | #NYCSN

nycsportsnation.com/2025/10/06/r...

RECAP: Red Bulls Lose Home Final, Reserves In Playoffs - New York Sports Nation

RECAP: Red Bulls Lose Home Final, Reserves In Playoffs - A loss to FC Cincinnati in the last home game, but the reserves are in the playoffs.

nycsportsnation.com

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 5d

cc:
@hfdathletic.bsky.social
@mikewattsonair.bsky.social
@bonanzahfd.bsky.social
@theuslshow.bsky.social
@njemurray.bsky.social
@theblazingmusket.com

#oneHARTbeat | #USLJägermeisterCup | #USL

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 5d

On Saturday, Hartford Athletic upset Sacramento Republic to win the USL Jägermeister Cup — and lift silverware for the first time in club history.

A monumental moment for the team and for the United Soccer League. Story on @hudsonriverblue.com:

www.hudsonriverblue.com/hartford-ath...

Hartford Athletic win USL Jägermeister Cup over Sacramento

Hartford Athletic beat Sacramento Republic 1-0 to lift the Jägermeister Cup in an upset win on the road.

www.hudsonriverblue.com

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 5d

My @soccerreporters.bsky.social MLS Player of the Week ballot - 2025 Matchday thirty-seven (37)

1: Sebastian Berhalter - Vancouver Whitecaps FC - #VWFC
2: Tadeo Allende - Inter Miami CF - #InterMiamiCF

#MLSSeasonPass #NYCSN

@whitecapsfc.com
@southsiders.ca
@vancouversisters.bsky.social

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Hudson River Blue @hudsonriverblue.com · 5d

Last night, @hfdathletic.bsky.social upset Sacramento Republic
to win the USL Jägermeister Cup — and lift silverware for the first time in cub history

Here's @battista.bsky.social with the story ⬇️

Hartford Athletic win USL Jägermeister Cup over Sacramento

Hartford Athletic beat Sacramento Republic 1-0 to lift the Jägermeister Cup in an upset win on the road.

www.hudsonriverblue.com

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Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 6d

(Graphic from MLS Next Pro)

Michael Battista @battista.bsky.social · 6d

New York Red Bulls II beat Toronto FC II, 2-1, to clinch the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference No. 1 seed and the Northeast Division Championship.

Last time #NYRBII finished 1st in a conference was in 2016 (United Soccer League), where they went on to win the league title. #RBNY

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Reposted by Michael Battista

Hartford Athletic @hfdathletic.bsky.social · 6d

CHAMPIONNNSSSSSSSS!!!!! 🏆

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