Nicholas Murray
LightNews LightNews
banner
njemurray.bsky.social
Nicholas Murray
@njemurray.bsky.social
3.2K followers 540 following 6.2K posts
Sr. Director of Editorial, USL. Cambridge United fan. Fancies himself a writer. Don't mind me.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
njemurray.bsky.social
Nicholas Murray @njemurray.bsky.social · Dec 24
This was incredibly kind of Matt - @usltactics.com is much smarter than a yutz like me - so with much trepidation I've attempted to put together a starter pack of folks you can follow around the #USL ecosystem.

Let me know if you'd like to be added?

go.bsky.app/KQY4fzT
mattdoyle.bsky.social Matthew Doyle @mattdoyle.bsky.social · Dec 22
I think @benwright.bsky.social has a local MLS coverage starter pack? I don’t want to just start listing folks b/c I’m afraid to leave someone out.

For USL, start with @njemurray.bsky.social & @usltactics.com and go in whatever direction they point you.
diakena.bsky.social Diakena @diakena.bsky.social · Dec 22
Do you have a good 'list' of the local people you follow for specific clubs/regions? I follow Greder and Marthaler for the Loons, but it's easy for substacks/blogs to slip under the radar, especially for USL stuff, which I'm just getting into. An archive of peeps of some sort would be helpful.
njemurray.bsky.social
As @fredorrarci.bsky.social will always remind us, Sport Is a TV Show.
danielstorey85.bsky.social Daniel Storey @danielstorey85.bsky.social · 1h
Cristiano Ronaldo has magically had his ban reduced so he can start the World Cup. There is no precedent...but then he met the President. How depressing...

Column:

inews.co.uk/sport/footba...
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup reprieve stinks
Portugal star’s magic non-ban is depressingly inevitable
inews.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
In August, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC owner Tuffy Shallenberger stood at a lectern at Highmark Stadium announcing the club's future stadium expansion.

On Saturday, the Hounds' #USL-C title victory burnished the club's place in Pittsburgh's sporting landscape.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
Why 2025 has set the stage for the next chapter of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Hounds’ first league crown, stadium expansion announcement burnished club’s position in city’s sporting landscape
www.uslchampionship.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
usltactics.com
Why yes, I do…

(Free agent list coming later when more teams have announced)

www.usltactics.com/usl-transfer...
November 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
tampabayrowdies.bsky.social
🗣️ A quick hello from Marco!
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
stevengoff.bsky.social
Here's who the USMNT could face at the World Cup after FIFA unveils draw plan …

sports.yahoo.com/soccer/break...
Here's who the USMNT could face at the World Cup after FIFA unveils draw plan
FIFA's newly released draw rules outline exactly who the U.S. might open against and how its World Cup path could unfold.
sports.yahoo.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
The @tampabayrowdies.bsky.social have acquired midfielder Marco Micaletto via transfer from @switchbacksfc.bsky.social.

Micaletto recorded seven goals and three assists for Colorado Springs in the 2025 campaign. #USL-C
www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
Tampa Bay Rowdies acquire Marco Micaletto via transfer from Colorado Springs
Central midfielder recorded seven goals, three assists for Switchbacks in 2025 campaign
www.uslchampionship.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
cgstefko.bsky.social
I cannot overstate how behind I am on reading my usual newsletters b/c it's been peak figure skating season, so I just now noticed that @usltactics.com made the move over from Substack to Ghost. Huzzah! Check out John's shiny new site. The roster tracker will come in handy soon.
www.usltactics.com
USL Tactics
In-depth analysis of news and matches from USL Championship, USL League One, and the USL Super League.
www.usltactics.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
davisjason.bsky.social
AI can't replace your grandma
davey.bsky.social Davey Alba @davey.bsky.social · 5h
NEW: AI “recipe slop” is overrunning search and social. Food creators say Google’s AI Overviews and glossy fake food pics are drowning out real, tested recipes — collapsing traffic and setting home cooks up for disaster, especially this Thanksgiving.

Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
AI Slop Recipes Are Taking Over the Internet -- And Thanksgiving Dinner
Food bloggers see traffic dip as home cooks turn to AI, inspired by impossible pictures
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
jtannenwald.bsky.social
Lancaster native Drew Skundrich, most popularly known these days as Andi Sullivan's husband, announces his retirement from playing at age 30.

He spent one year with Bethlehem Steel in 2018, which feels like a long time ago.
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
soccerwisehq.bsky.social
FLORIDA TIME ☀️🐊

Give us your best players from the Sunshine State 💭

#50StatesofSoccer @kickbackcommittee.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
soccerzombie.com
#USLChampionship FINAL VLOG!

Two long title droughts
One long bus ride
Zero regulation goals.

How Pittsburgh Riverhounds completed their fairy tale moment over the Cinderellas of the west: FC Tulsa.

#Houndstahn #FCTulsa

📺youtu.be/29G4UYvMHio
Pittsburgh Riverhounds Topple FC Tulsa to WIN USL Championship!
YouTube video by Soccer Zombie
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
davisjason.bsky.social
We're kicking off series with at least 2 other clubs in the very near future. Each has committed to giving us access to every step of their club-building journey.

Now would be a great time to subscribe to Morning Kickaround to get in at the start of this unique window into American soccer.
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
davisjason.bsky.social
Premiering at 930 ET on the @mkickaround.bsky.social YouTube channel is the first installment of our new feature following a club on its way to its on-field deubt. We start our series with @nycosmos.bsky.social. youtu.be/CuwvVlJ7as8?...
Countdown To Kickoff: New York Cosmos Episode 1
YouTube video by Morning Kickaround
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
usltactics.com
NEWSLETTER: After a punchy final, Pittsburgh are your 2025 USL Championship winners. I break down how Perrin Barnes was so key to the effort, plus...

⚽ Stefan Lukic, super sub extraordinaire
💙 Sporting Jax's terrific expansion start
🔒 Dallas, locking it down
www.usltactics.com/the-back-fou...
The Back Four: Post-title takeaways
On Perrin Barnes, Stefan Lukic, and two Super League standouts
www.usltactics.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
jtannenwald.bsky.social
John Borodiak, who won multiple U.S. Open Cups with Philadelphia's Ukrainian Nationals and also played for the Spartans, Cleveland Stokers (against Pele at one point), and Baltimore Bays has passed away.

www.inquirer.com/obituaries/j... via @inquirer.com

cc @opencup.ussoccer.com @thecup.us
John Borodiak, Hall of Fame pro soccer player and longtime dental lab owner, has died at 89
In 1967, Daily News sportswriter Dick Metzgar published his Christmas wish list and asked for “more hustling performers like little fullback John Borodiak.”
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:01 AM
njemurray.bsky.social
Great curling tonight at Canada's Olympic Trials.

The two undefeated skips - Brad Gushue and Matt Dunstone - in an extra end to decide it.

www.youtube.com/live/Svfjtlw...
Canadian Curling Trials - Draw 8
YouTube video by TSN
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
jonarnoldfc.bsky.social
Lots to get to today, including a look ahead to the Liguilla, a look back at the ramifications of WCQ & a few notes on Women's World Cup qualification, the Concacaf Series & the last few Concacaf Champions Cup spots!

getconcacafed.substack.com/p/its-liguil...
🇲🇽 It's Liguilla time!
Your Liga MX playoff preview. PLUS: WCQ fall-out & series on series in the Conca-catch-up
getconcacafed.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:26 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
*Taps the Sign*
November 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
16 - Number of goals scored across 15 postseason games
19 - Number of shutouts recorded across 15 postseason games

This year's #USL-C Playoffs were defined by the goalkeepers and their defenses, who put up some remarkable numbers throughout November.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
The 2025 USL Championship Playoffs were defined by the Goalkeepers
Hounds’ Final MVP Eric Dick led way, but shot-stoppers shone throughout postseason across both conferences
www.uslchampionship.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:38 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
Now, what happened in the #GainbridgeSuperLeague this weekend?

Rylee Baisden scored the only goal as @carolinaascentfc.bsky.social took a 1-0 victory against DC Power FC to move back into the top four in the standings.

Full Highlights ➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKgs...
November 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
Great player, great character steps away after 14 seasons.

#PlayoffOwnby will never die. He's still tied for the all-time lead in USL Championship Playoffs goals with nine, which accounted for almost 20 percent of his 49 #USL-C goals across regular season and playoffs.
loucity.com Louisville City FC @loucity.com · 1d
A message from Brian Ownby.
November 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
Historically, @fctulsa.bsky.social's postseason was unprecedented. It went through the #USL-C Playoffs without conceding and was the dominant club in November before club-record crowds.

As such, the Scissortails' shootout loss can't diminish their growth.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
FC Tulsa’s Shootout Loss Can’t Diminish Transformative Campaign
Numbers showed Scissortails were dominant side in postseason, escalating crowds offered silver lining as club heads into 2026
www.uslchampionship.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
Between his final appearance for SKC II in 2019 and his debut for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in 2024, Eric Dick made nine league appearances in the #USL-C & #MLSNP.

Given his chance to be a full-time starter, he helped lead the Hounds to their first title.

www.uslchampionship.com/news_article...
Given His Opportunity, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Eric Dick Delivered
A career back-up before his arrival in the Steel City, 31-year-old produced historic postseason to lead club to title
www.uslchampionship.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Murray
themerl.bsky.social
A photograph of Keir Starmer, saying 'there's a famous slogan in the United Kingdom', above a quote post of our absolute unit (a very big sheep labelled 'look at this absolute unit').
February 28, 2025 at 12:39 PM
njemurray.bsky.social
When half the clubs in the #USL-C have been emailing you about player announcements over the weekend...
November 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM