Lesley Ryder
@lesleyryder.bsky.social
Writer, Soccer talker and Pal @GalPalSports.bsky.social bylines: @allforxi, @defectormedia
LesleyRyder.54 on Signal
🏳️🌈♿️
LesleyRyder.54 on Signal
🏳️🌈♿️
Pinned
The NWSL Received 43 Complaints In 2024, And Five In The First Half Of This Year, Public Records Show | Defector
When the National Women’s Soccer League settled with three separate attorneys general earlier this year—following investigations by all three into the league’s years of failure to prevent or adequatel...
defector.com
Thanks to a $5 million settlement with the NY, DC and IL OAG, the NWSL is required to report their investigations.
The semi-annual report and its exhibits give us a teensy bit of transparency into the NWSL’s process.
With @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social for Defector!
defector.com/nwsl-43-comp...
The semi-annual report and its exhibits give us a teensy bit of transparency into the NWSL’s process.
With @dianamoskovitz.bsky.social for Defector!
defector.com/nwsl-43-comp...
On media day, I asked Kysha what it was like coming into this tight Spirit squad:
“I called my mom and I was like ‘damn, why didn’t you tell me I have a lot of sisters in Washington?’”
“I called my mom and I was like ‘damn, why didn’t you tell me I have a lot of sisters in Washington?’”
November 24, 2025 at 9:48 PM
On media day, I asked Kysha what it was like coming into this tight Spirit squad:
“I called my mom and I was like ‘damn, why didn’t you tell me I have a lot of sisters in Washington?’”
“I called my mom and I was like ‘damn, why didn’t you tell me I have a lot of sisters in Washington?’”
George Steinbrenner was a terrible man, but he was absolutely rolling in his grave when his kids let Juan Soto walk to the Mets, of all teams.
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
George Steinbrenner was a terrible man, but he was absolutely rolling in his grave when his kids let Juan Soto walk to the Mets, of all teams.
I think Rodman should get her pay day and play wherever she wants.
My haterade opinion remains there are only a few competitive, elite teams in the UWCL, and they’re all stacked.
If she does make the jump to Europe, I’m intrigued to see where she lands, and who she bumps from a starting spot.
My haterade opinion remains there are only a few competitive, elite teams in the UWCL, and they’re all stacked.
If she does make the jump to Europe, I’m intrigued to see where she lands, and who she bumps from a starting spot.
Why Trinity Rodman should make the move to Europe — and get paid what she's worth.
My column:
#nwsl #uswnt
sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...?
My column:
#nwsl #uswnt
sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...?
Why Trinity Rodman should make the move to Europe — and get paid what she's worth
Now that she's a free agent Rodman will have multiple options. The choice, though, is crystal clear: Go to Europe, Trin.
sports.yahoo.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I think Rodman should get her pay day and play wherever she wants.
My haterade opinion remains there are only a few competitive, elite teams in the UWCL, and they’re all stacked.
If she does make the jump to Europe, I’m intrigued to see where she lands, and who she bumps from a starting spot.
My haterade opinion remains there are only a few competitive, elite teams in the UWCL, and they’re all stacked.
If she does make the jump to Europe, I’m intrigued to see where she lands, and who she bumps from a starting spot.
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
I understand that most head coaches are serious competitors who really want to test themselves but I wouldn't give that job up for anything
Browsing the NWSL vacancies, what job lures you away from UCLA?
Margueritte Aozasa wouldn't give up that job security for just any NWSL job. Perhaps the recent vacancy across the state from where she won the Big Ten title last season? Unless Bay is ready to be serious...
Margueritte Aozasa wouldn't give up that job security for just any NWSL job. Perhaps the recent vacancy across the state from where she won the Big Ten title last season? Unless Bay is ready to be serious...
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
I understand that most head coaches are serious competitors who really want to test themselves but I wouldn't give that job up for anything
Stephen Schwartz being told he has to turn "Son of a Witch" into a musical:
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Stephen Schwartz being told he has to turn "Son of a Witch" into a musical:
Just got a “save the date” for my 15-year reunion.
an elderly woman wearing a hat and glasses says picture it sicily 1922 .
Alt: an elderly woman wearing a hat and glasses says picture it sicily 1922 .
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Just got a “save the date” for my 15-year reunion.
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
Gotham smashed the Washington Spirit's hopes and won their second NWSL championship in three years, as questions about the league's future loom large. My dispatch from San Jose, where I saw the human drama of the final up close:
Gotham Grabs The Crown Of An NWSL At A Tipping Point | Defector
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jaedyn Shaw set the tone. Rose Lavelle tapped the ball at kickoff, and Shaw booted it toward the Washington Spirit’s net, which keeper Aubrey Kingsbury was helplessly far from. The...
defector.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Gotham smashed the Washington Spirit's hopes and won their second NWSL championship in three years, as questions about the league's future loom large. My dispatch from San Jose, where I saw the human drama of the final up close:
I also asked Mandy how she might style her new gold medal:
“The medal speaks for itself, so I'm probably just gonna stay in the championship shirt and let the metal, you know, shine.”
“The medal speaks for itself, so I'm probably just gonna stay in the championship shirt and let the metal, you know, shine.”
November 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I also asked Mandy how she might style her new gold medal:
“The medal speaks for itself, so I'm probably just gonna stay in the championship shirt and let the metal, you know, shine.”
“The medal speaks for itself, so I'm probably just gonna stay in the championship shirt and let the metal, you know, shine.”
Asked Mandy about coming back to the championship as the captain!
She called it “a special moment.”
“We have a lot of leaders on this team that show up every day, so it's never just one person leading. We really have, like, a unified voice. And, yeah, it was really special.“
She called it “a special moment.”
“We have a lot of leaders on this team that show up every day, so it's never just one person leading. We really have, like, a unified voice. And, yeah, it was really special.“
Mandy Freeman was not rostered for the 2023 final, and in 2025 she not only started but captained — and won! So happy for the #GothamFC legend.
November 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Asked Mandy about coming back to the championship as the captain!
She called it “a special moment.”
“We have a lot of leaders on this team that show up every day, so it's never just one person leading. We really have, like, a unified voice. And, yeah, it was really special.“
She called it “a special moment.”
“We have a lot of leaders on this team that show up every day, so it's never just one person leading. We really have, like, a unified voice. And, yeah, it was really special.“
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
Gotham FC players and staff are currently atop two team branded buses in NYC on the procession to City Hall to receive the keys to the city, in honor of their 2025 #NWSL Championship. Gotham defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
🔴 LIVE: Gotham FC celebrates NWSL title in NYC parade
YouTube video by FOX 5 New York
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Gotham FC players and staff are currently atop two team branded buses in NYC on the procession to City Hall to receive the keys to the city, in honor of their 2025 #NWSL Championship. Gotham defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 on Saturday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4t2...
A favorite moment from last night — Ryan Campbell and Lilly Reale coming through the mixed zone and contemplating aloud if they should go goggles up, or goggles down.
Guess what they chose?
Guess what they chose?
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 AM
A favorite moment from last night — Ryan Campbell and Lilly Reale coming through the mixed zone and contemplating aloud if they should go goggles up, or goggles down.
Guess what they chose?
Guess what they chose?
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
Per Gotham Spox: Team is collaborating with the city for celebrations due to a big holiday week. Also a moving with urgency to ensure all players are celebrated. (several players leave soon for international duty) rolling busses with city hall honors for the 2025 #NWSL Champions. Growth from 2023
November 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Per Gotham Spox: Team is collaborating with the city for celebrations due to a big holiday week. Also a moving with urgency to ensure all players are celebrated. (several players leave soon for international duty) rolling busses with city hall honors for the 2025 #NWSL Champions. Growth from 2023
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
Shout out to Kayla the legend, wherever you are
November 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Shout out to Kayla the legend, wherever you are
Back to Chicagoland! Still have lots of videos from the weekend to share, so stay tuned.
November 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Back to Chicagoland! Still have lots of videos from the weekend to share, so stay tuned.
Waited next to the e.l.f junior reporter in the mixed zone, and was fondly reminded of the time the junior reporter absolutely bodied Marla Messing at the 2021 championship festivities.
November 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Waited next to the e.l.f junior reporter in the mixed zone, and was fondly reminded of the time the junior reporter absolutely bodied Marla Messing at the 2021 championship festivities.
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
oh bb get lit tonight queen
Jaedyn Shaw on a ig birthday weekend:
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
November 23, 2025 at 4:52 AM
oh bb get lit tonight queen
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
The Gotham players are outside their bus with a massive boombox, partying to the men's Champions League theme song aka Handel's 'Zadok The Priest'.
November 23, 2025 at 4:58 AM
The Gotham players are outside their bus with a massive boombox, partying to the men's Champions League theme song aka Handel's 'Zadok The Priest'.
Midge Purce on her cigar of choice this evening:
“Cuban. Only for the Championship.”
“Cuban. Only for the Championship.”
November 23, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Midge Purce on her cigar of choice this evening:
“Cuban. Only for the Championship.”
“Cuban. Only for the Championship.”
Jaedyn Shaw on a ig birthday weekend:
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
November 23, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Jaedyn Shaw on a ig birthday weekend:
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
“I’m going to remember my 21st birthday for the rest of my life.”
Rodman on her mindset at the moment:
“I mean, obviously we're gonna be humans. We're gonna feel this it sucks two years in a row, losing in the finals, like the worst feeling the world
Now, it doesn't take away anything we did this whole year. We worked really hard, we had great performances.”
“I mean, obviously we're gonna be humans. We're gonna feel this it sucks two years in a row, losing in the finals, like the worst feeling the world
Now, it doesn't take away anything we did this whole year. We worked really hard, we had great performances.”
November 23, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Rodman on her mindset at the moment:
“I mean, obviously we're gonna be humans. We're gonna feel this it sucks two years in a row, losing in the finals, like the worst feeling the world
Now, it doesn't take away anything we did this whole year. We worked really hard, we had great performances.”
“I mean, obviously we're gonna be humans. We're gonna feel this it sucks two years in a row, losing in the finals, like the worst feeling the world
Now, it doesn't take away anything we did this whole year. We worked really hard, we had great performances.”
Chat is there a discourse about Trinity Rodman calling for a sub for Hal? She’s been asked twice in the mixed zone, and she has no idea where it’s coming from
November 23, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Chat is there a discourse about Trinity Rodman calling for a sub for Hal? She’s been asked twice in the mixed zone, and she has no idea where it’s coming from
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
This is also going into the hall of fame of HaramBall
Gotham winning a title on the back of a playoff -1.42 expected goal differential feels like a direct shot at all of us nerds.
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 AM
This is also going into the hall of fame of HaramBall
End-of-season field Grass and a gray coat do not make great friends with a wheelchair sprint!
November 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
End-of-season field Grass and a gray coat do not make great friends with a wheelchair sprint!
So… new this year? Press got rushed off the field after the trophy lift.
Some might call that a lost opportunity for storytelling!
Some might call that a lost opportunity for storytelling!
November 23, 2025 at 3:41 AM
So… new this year? Press got rushed off the field after the trophy lift.
Some might call that a lost opportunity for storytelling!
Some might call that a lost opportunity for storytelling!