Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 5h

After years of winning back his Juventus place, Weston McKennie aims to do same for USMNT www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]

After years of winning back his Juventus place, Weston McKennie aims to do same for USMNT

McKennie has endured an annual grind to prove his worth for his club. After much time away, he must replicate that for his country

www.nytimes.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 10h

Local leaders team up, call for ‘greater collaboration’ over planned NE Revolution stadium in Everett. www.masslive.com/politics/202... [via @masslive.bsky.social]

Local leaders team up, call for ‘greater collaboration’ over planned Revs stadium in Everett

"A transparent, inclusive dialogue will ensure that a new stadium for the Revolution will strengthen the entire region," Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said.

www.masslive.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 10h

Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]

Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines

Across more than 400 games together, the two players have combined to bypass opponents with predictable ease

www.nytimes.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 10h

‘Its mediocrity has grown on me’: time almost up for intimate stopgap stadium Messi calls home. www.theguardian.com/football/202... [via @theguardian.com]

‘Its mediocrity has grown on me’: time almost up for intimate stopgap stadium Messi calls home

The club will finally begin playing in Miami next season. For local fans near Chase Stadium there are mixed emotions

www.theguardian.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 1d

Orlando City eyed Tottenham's Richarlison in summer - sources
www.espn.com.au/football/sto... [via @espnfc1.bsky.social]

Sources: Orlando eyed summer Richarlison deal

The MLS club wanted to sign the Brazil international to a long-term contract ahead of the 2026 World Cup

www.espn.com.au

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 9d

LAFC’s Denis Bouanga is thriving with his new strike partner: ‘I feel so good with Sonny on the pitch’ www.theguardian.com/football/202... [via @theguardian.com]

LAFC’s Denis Bouanga is thriving with his new strike partner: ‘I feel so good with Sonny on the pitch’

Any questions about how the Gabon international would gel with Son Heung-min have been put to rest after a historic scoring run

www.theguardian.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 9d

Thomas Muller Digs Out Vancouver Mentality, Strives for Culture Change www.si.com/soccer/thoma... [via @sisoccer.bsky.social]

Thomas Muller Digs Out Vancouver Mentality, Strives for Culture Change

The six-time DFB Pokal winner could make history for Vancouver in the first-ever “604 Derby.”

www.si.com

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Reposted by Shawn Francis

▲▼▲▼▲▼ @arajay.com · 14d

what if we kissed on the pretty freight machine

a boxcar with graffiti parody of the nine inch nails album cover art for "pretty hate machine" but it says "nine inch rails pretty freight machine"

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 13d

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 13d

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 13d

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 13d

In San Diego for the opening of @sandiegofc2025.bsky.social’s Right to Dream Academy and it’s beyond impressive. Residential dorms, training facilities and fields for youth (from both sides of the border) and 1st team on one mega-campus. I’m in love.

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 15d

This gas station in Highlands, NJ has very clearly not been visited by their Red Bull rep in a looooong minute.

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 20d

New Miami FC stadium will be part of $337M hub www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202... [via @sportsbizjournal.bsky.social]

New Miami FC stadium will be part of $337M hub

New Miami FC stadium will be part of $337M Sports Performance Hub in Homestead, Fla. Investors in the project include former NBA star Manu Ginobili, retired international soccer star Juan Sebastian Ve...

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 20d

Woof

Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 20d

As Atlanta United flounders, would a Tata Martino reunion be the right play? www.nytimes.com/athletic/663... [via @nytimes.com]

As Atlanta United flounders, would a Tata Martino reunion be the right play?

Despite heightened expectations, Atlanta will miss the MLS playoffs, and if a coaching change is in the offing, a familiar face is available

www.nytimes.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 20d

Son Heung-Min delivering MLS, LAFC a star on and off field www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202... [via @sportsbizjournal.bsky.social]

Son Heung-Min delivering MLS, LAFC a star on and off field

So much of the conversation around LAFC F Son Heung-Min’s signing was about how important he would be for the Korean community, or how much he would raise the profile of MLS -- but what is perhaps mis...

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 28d

Brazil is a serious country.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 28d

Breaking News: Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted former President Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election. He could face decades in prison. nyti.ms/4pyzL3Q

Jair Bolsonaro, wearing a yellow and green shirt, is speaking into a microphone. A headline reads: "Jair Bolsonaro Convicted of Attempting a Coup in Brazil." Photo by Dado Galdieri for The New York Times

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · 28d

Seth Stammler was the best MetroStar.

Mike Goodman @themlg.bsky.social · 28d

Everybody should absolutely view this as an invitation to drop your spiciest soccer takes.

Mike Goodman @themlg.bsky.social · 28d

lol I’m gonna need bluesky’s biggest soccer post ever to balance out all the politics engagement im burying myself under.

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · Sep 4

Absolute heater from LAFC and NTS Radio. 10/10. Would cop.

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · Sep 4

Pochettino, Pulisic must fix rift as USMNT prep for World Cup
www.espn.com/soccer/story... [via @jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social for @espn.com]

Pochettino, Pulisic must reconcile for USMNT to be at its best going into World Cup

Ahead of next summer's World Cup on home soil, it will be important for USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino and star player Christian Pulisic to rebuild their relationship.

www.espn.com

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Reposted by Shawn Francis

Alexander Abnos @anabnos.com · Sep 3

Bridgeview, Illinois' time as an American professional soccer location of consequence is nearly over, after a mere 20 years.

Chicago Stars FC @chicagostars.com · Sep 3

A new era begins 🌟

In a historic day for our club, we’re thrilled to announce that Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will be our home next season, making our matches more accessible than ever.

See y’all on the lakefront! 🌊 StarsNextChapter.com

Chicago Stars FC Begins New Era

YouTube video by Chicago Stars FC

youtu.be

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Reposted by Shawn Francis

Leander **PRE-ORDER THE LONG GAME** Schaerlaeckens @leanderalphabet.bsky.social · Sep 2

🚨🚨You can now pre-order my book, THE LONG GAME, on the United States men's national soccer team and its messy rise from total international irrelevance to, well, TBD!🚨🚨

I spoke to ~150 players/coaches/etc. and got fresh stories and unprecedented access!

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130...

The Long Game by Leander Schaerlaeckens: 9780593653876 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

The gripping account of the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s winding saga from obscurity to the global stage as they stand on the brink of a seminal World Cup in 2026. For almost half a century,...

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · Sep 2

OMG the story I could tell about this game.

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Shawn Francis @theoffsiderules.bsky.social · Aug 18

Why MLS looms large as Sacramento Republic FC breaks ground on downtown stadium www.sacbee.com/news/busines... [via @sacbee.com]

Why MLS looms large as Sacramento Republic FC breaks ground on downtown stadium

“We’re in a situation right now where, we might have to build a bigger stadium.”

www.sacbee.com

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