Michael Arace
@michaelarace1.bsky.social
Sportswriter in Columbus. Proprietor, Disrespected Media LLC.
In other news… @knaas.bsky.social reported last week: Scots (no relation to Glasgow) Miracle Gro will be next #Crew96 stadium sponsor. Presser tomorrow am.
thedisrespected.com
thedisrespected.com
The Disrespected
Michael Arace covers pro sports in flyover country. Welcome to Columbus, the Blue Jackets and the Crew.
thedisrespected.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:28 PM
In other news… @knaas.bsky.social reported last week: Scots (no relation to Glasgow) Miracle Gro will be next #Crew96 stadium sponsor. Presser tomorrow am.
thedisrespected.com
thedisrespected.com
#Crew96 wanted to redo Nancy contract and make him the highest paid coach in #MLS. But Nancy wanted to keep Euro options open, as noted by @brimackay15.bsky.social. Nancy has returned from Europe I’m told. All coaches are off on a break. thedisrespected.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
#Crew96 wanted to redo Nancy contract and make him the highest paid coach in #MLS. But Nancy wanted to keep Euro options open, as noted by @brimackay15.bsky.social. Nancy has returned from Europe I’m told. All coaches are off on a break. thedisrespected.com
Don’t know where the “Yeah” came from. I have re-fired my copy editor.
November 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Don’t know where the “Yeah” came from. I have re-fired my copy editor.
Source: Celtic FC finally contacted #Crew96 late last week re Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy. The two clubs, and Nancy, are in advanced stage of negotiations to get Nancy to Glasgow. Talks concern Nancy buyout as well as that of at least one Crew assistant. Yeah.
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Source: Celtic FC finally contacted #Crew96 late last week re Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy. The two clubs, and Nancy, are in advanced stage of negotiations to get Nancy to Glasgow. Talks concern Nancy buyout as well as that of at least one Crew assistant. Yeah.
I've long been a staunch "it's OK to play American soccer." Something relatable to fans who grew up with other sports in the U.S. Eschew Real and Inter and F.C. Plural nicknames, etc. I actually like the best-of-three Round One of MLS playoffs that pinkie-waggers hate. Yo, Crew, you didn't beat FCC.
Yes. I'd long been a "Shield is the best team" guy but the past three years have really forced me to rethink that.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
Last year they had the worst luck (schedule, fixture congestion, injury, XG differential, etc), and this year that pretty much flipped.
Do you think the unbalanced MLS schedule coupled with the unbalanced cup schedule is making the Shield...not less meaningful but maybe differently meaningful?
Do you think the unbalanced MLS schedule coupled with the unbalanced cup schedule is making the Shield...not less meaningful but maybe differently meaningful?
November 24, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I've long been a staunch "it's OK to play American soccer." Something relatable to fans who grew up with other sports in the U.S. Eschew Real and Inter and F.C. Plural nicknames, etc. I actually like the best-of-three Round One of MLS playoffs that pinkie-waggers hate. Yo, Crew, you didn't beat FCC.
Why is the Wilfried Nancy-to-Celtic deal dragging? I have no reason to believe it won't happen. But when? Here's a surveil of the situation. #Crew96 #VamosColumbus #CannonBalls thedisrespected.com #CelticFC
www.thedisrespected.com/p/9d6e2a4d-f...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/9d6e2a4d-f...
Columbus Crew coach poaching, Part II
Kayaking the Olentangy and the River Clyde
www.thedisrespected.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Why is the Wilfried Nancy-to-Celtic deal dragging? I have no reason to believe it won't happen. But when? Here's a surveil of the situation. #Crew96 #VamosColumbus #CannonBalls thedisrespected.com #CelticFC
www.thedisrespected.com/p/9d6e2a4d-f...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/9d6e2a4d-f...
Reposted by Michael Arace
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
Reposted by Michael Arace
Public land grant universities with a mission to serve the residents of their respective states are the great economic equalizers. So of course Republicans and billionaires want to destroy them. 😖
November 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Public land grant universities with a mission to serve the residents of their respective states are the great economic equalizers. So of course Republicans and billionaires want to destroy them. 😖
Reposted by Michael Arace
Yes. I'd long been a "Shield is the best team" guy but the past three years have really forced me to rethink that.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
Last year they had the worst luck (schedule, fixture congestion, injury, XG differential, etc), and this year that pretty much flipped.
Do you think the unbalanced MLS schedule coupled with the unbalanced cup schedule is making the Shield...not less meaningful but maybe differently meaningful?
Do you think the unbalanced MLS schedule coupled with the unbalanced cup schedule is making the Shield...not less meaningful but maybe differently meaningful?
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Yes. I'd long been a "Shield is the best team" guy but the past three years have really forced me to rethink that.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
If Philly'd played Vancouver or Miami's schedules, do they win the Shield? No chance.
Reposted by Michael Arace
It's not just Euro teams that could take a run at Makhanya. If you're Cincy and you know Philly's approach to selling you make the call, right?
My biggest question now is how many players does Philly lose in the off-season there are the pencilled in contract ones but than you also have guys like Makhanya who does a team in Europe take a run at.
November 24, 2025 at 3:35 AM
It's not just Euro teams that could take a run at Makhanya. If you're Cincy and you know Philly's approach to selling you make the call, right?
Young Mr. Desmond seems to conjure Andy Loughnane, Crew Summit, circa 2018. Just popped into my head. But I don’t believe Celtic are moving to a mall in Stirling. And I think Wilfried will relish this challenge. #keepsterlingweird
November 22, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Young Mr. Desmond seems to conjure Andy Loughnane, Crew Summit, circa 2018. Just popped into my head. But I don’t believe Celtic are moving to a mall in Stirling. And I think Wilfried will relish this challenge. #keepsterlingweird
Reposted by Michael Arace
What a headline. #Crew96
Can Nancy work his magic at a club torn apart by a civil war?
In the case of Wilfried Nancy, the question was never if he would ever leave Columbus Crew, it was how long could the Crew hold on to him before he got poached.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
What a headline. #Crew96
I'd like to acknowledge @morganhughes.bsky.social and his fellow miscreants at Aces Radio for (once again) making the mistake of having me on their pod. I'd also like to express my regrets for being there. Have a nice day.
November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I'd like to acknowledge @morganhughes.bsky.social and his fellow miscreants at Aces Radio for (once again) making the mistake of having me on their pod. I'd also like to express my regrets for being there. Have a nice day.
New post for subscribers: The Columbus Blue Jackets, the most irrelevant team in professional sports outside of Burkina Faso. #CBJ #TheRinger #RedAuerbach #JohnnyMost #JungleJimLoscutoff #Chatbot #RickRobey #WeShouldaGotTimDuncan #SimmonsStoleTheBall
www.thedisrespected.com/p/7fffeb95-7...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/7fffeb95-7...
"The most irrelevant franchise in professional sports"
Bill Simmons flies over Columbus and defecates
www.thedisrespected.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
New post for subscribers: The Columbus Blue Jackets, the most irrelevant team in professional sports outside of Burkina Faso. #CBJ #TheRinger #RedAuerbach #JohnnyMost #JungleJimLoscutoff #Chatbot #RickRobey #WeShouldaGotTimDuncan #SimmonsStoleTheBall
www.thedisrespected.com/p/7fffeb95-7...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/7fffeb95-7...
While we at thedisrespected.com are still in R&D mode with the podcasts, we managed to birth our first episode of the new Blue Jackets-related pod, Cannon Balls. Featured is the Mayor of Jacketville, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.
open.spotify.com/episode/1whX...
open.spotify.com/episode/1whX...
Cannon Balls Episode #1 feat. Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets Breakdown, Bill Simmons, Yegor Chinakhov's future and more
open.spotify.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
While we at thedisrespected.com are still in R&D mode with the podcasts, we managed to birth our first episode of the new Blue Jackets-related pod, Cannon Balls. Featured is the Mayor of Jacketville, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.
open.spotify.com/episode/1whX...
open.spotify.com/episode/1whX...
Reposted by Michael Arace
HOT TAKE: if they’re not formally interviewing Tim Bezbatchenko, they’re insane.
Sources: MLS owners have officially begun the process of planning for Commissioner Don Garber's departure, holding their first succession committee meeting last week and retaining The Miles Group to lead the process. Full story at SBJ.
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202...
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202...
MLS owners formally begin Don Garber succession planning
A small group of MLS owners held their first closed-door “succession committee” meeting last Wednesday prior to Thursday’s full Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
HOT TAKE: if they’re not formally interviewing Tim Bezbatchenko, they’re insane.
It's all over but the crying.
All signs point to #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy being named the next manager of Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership by the end of the weekend. My piece is posted with the paywall removed. Have a nice day.
www.thedisrespected.com/columbus-cre...
All signs point to #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy being named the next manager of Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership by the end of the weekend. My piece is posted with the paywall removed. Have a nice day.
www.thedisrespected.com/columbus-cre...
Columbus Crew coach poaching
Is the picture below the last post-game photo of Wilfried Nancy as Crew coach?
www.thedisrespected.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
It's all over but the crying.
All signs point to #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy being named the next manager of Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership by the end of the weekend. My piece is posted with the paywall removed. Have a nice day.
www.thedisrespected.com/columbus-cre...
All signs point to #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy being named the next manager of Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership by the end of the weekend. My piece is posted with the paywall removed. Have a nice day.
www.thedisrespected.com/columbus-cre...
I just looked this up and could/couldn't believe it:
#CBJ have scored power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
They're up 3-1 on the Canadiens at the second intermission.
#CBJ have scored power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
They're up 3-1 on the Canadiens at the second intermission.
November 18, 2025 at 2:21 AM
I just looked this up and could/couldn't believe it:
#CBJ have scored power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
They're up 3-1 on the Canadiens at the second intermission.
#CBJ have scored power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
They're up 3-1 on the Canadiens at the second intermission.
#CBJ F Yegor Chinakhov being showcased on second line, with Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, vs Les Habitants tonight at the Nationwide Arena. Plenty of scouts in the house:
November 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
#CBJ F Yegor Chinakhov being showcased on second line, with Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, vs Les Habitants tonight at the Nationwide Arena. Plenty of scouts in the house:
That is the official response.
There no way the bottom bullet is true?
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
That is the official response.
#Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy reportedly spent the weekend in London meeting with Celtic F.C. principal owner. Crew official response remains unchanged:
-Nancy is still under contract with Crew
-Crew has not been contacted by Celtic
-Nancy and GM Issa Tall continue to plan for next MLS season
-Nancy is still under contract with Crew
-Crew has not been contacted by Celtic
-Nancy and GM Issa Tall continue to plan for next MLS season
November 17, 2025 at 9:57 PM
#Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy reportedly spent the weekend in London meeting with Celtic F.C. principal owner. Crew official response remains unchanged:
-Nancy is still under contract with Crew
-Crew has not been contacted by Celtic
-Nancy and GM Issa Tall continue to plan for next MLS season
-Nancy is still under contract with Crew
-Crew has not been contacted by Celtic
-Nancy and GM Issa Tall continue to plan for next MLS season
Reposted by Michael Arace
There aren't many remaining members of Ohio State's 1960 NCAA basketball championship team still with us. Here are three of them at the Jerry Lucas statue unveiling Friday, PG Mel Nowell, Lucas and co-captain Dick Furry.
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
There aren't many remaining members of Ohio State's 1960 NCAA basketball championship team still with us. Here are three of them at the Jerry Lucas statue unveiling Friday, PG Mel Nowell, Lucas and co-captain Dick Furry.
Free newsletter, The Weekly Dis, will hit subscribers' inboxes early Saturday a.m. Also available, per usual, at thedisrespected.com. The latest on #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy is the lede.
www.thedisrespected.com/p/d901b77a-c...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/d901b77a-c...
The Weekly Dis
The end of the greatest era in Crew history is nigh
www.thedisrespected.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Free newsletter, The Weekly Dis, will hit subscribers' inboxes early Saturday a.m. Also available, per usual, at thedisrespected.com. The latest on #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy is the lede.
www.thedisrespected.com/p/d901b77a-c...
www.thedisrespected.com/p/d901b77a-c...