Lesley Ryder
@lesleyryder.bsky.social
Writer, Soccer talker and Pal @GalPalSports.bsky.social bylines: @allforxi, @defectormedia
LesleyRyder.54 on Signal
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LesleyRyder.54 on Signal
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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...
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
What’s Good Squad?! Check out photos from championship weekend Miranda shot for us for championship weekend!
mirandazorrilla.smugmug.com/NWSL-Champio...
mirandazorrilla.smugmug.com/NWSL-Champio...
NWSL Championship 2025 - Miranda Zorrilla
This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.
mirandazorrilla.smugmug.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 AM
What’s Good Squad?! Check out photos from championship weekend Miranda shot for us for championship weekend!
mirandazorrilla.smugmug.com/NWSL-Champio...
mirandazorrilla.smugmug.com/NWSL-Champio...
PAD STACK SONNETT!!!!
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
PAD STACK SONNETT!!!!
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
. @meganferinga.bsky.social, discussing last night's Women's League Cup debacle.
EVERYONE ANALYZES WOMEN'S SPORTS
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
EVERYONE ANALYZES WOMEN'S SPORTS
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
. @meganferinga.bsky.social, discussing last night's Women's League Cup debacle.
EVERYONE ANALYZES WOMEN'S SPORTS
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
EVERYONE ANALYZES WOMEN'S SPORTS
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
6-7 months to stand up an expansion team is bonkers but also please put a team in Chicago.
By next season the PWHL could jump to 12 teams depending on the next few months and the returns from the 2025-26 Takeover Tour.
To some this might seem quick, but the league's motto is simple: "Time is overrated."
frontofficesports.com/pwhl-12-team...
To some this might seem quick, but the league's motto is simple: "Time is overrated."
frontofficesports.com/pwhl-12-team...
PWHL Is Targeting Rapid Expansion to 12 Teams
The PWHL quickly added two expansion teams for 2025–26. It aims to add another four after gathering data from this year’s Takeover Tour.
frontofficesports.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
6-7 months to stand up an expansion team is bonkers but also please put a team in Chicago.
What in the Moe’s tavern, Moe speaking is happening???
November 26, 2025 at 4:33 PM
What in the Moe’s tavern, Moe speaking is happening???
A month late to this party, but this is bonkers!!!!
#PWHL's Amy Scheer was asked about the number of #PWHLVancouver season tickets sold.
“I think Vancouver might be at the very least the top three in season tickets for the league.”
Do you have a number you can provide?
“No, that's proprietary information.”
“I think Vancouver might be at the very least the top three in season tickets for the league.”
Do you have a number you can provide?
“No, that's proprietary information.”
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
A month late to this party, but this is bonkers!!!!
The NWSL Championship has never been bigger. It’s hard to listen to the league argue about the sustainability of a salary cap when there’s a championship barge in the San Francisco Bay.
We've got a few more years with Jessica Berman.
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
A league at a crossroads - on a few more years with Jessica Berman
By Lesley Ryder
galpalsports.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The NWSL Championship has never been bigger. It’s hard to listen to the league argue about the sustainability of a salary cap when there’s a championship barge in the San Francisco Bay.
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
We've got a few more years with Jessica Berman.
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
A league at a crossroads - on a few more years with Jessica Berman
By Lesley Ryder
galpalsports.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
We've got a few more years with Jessica Berman.
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
"When asked about the possibility of raising the salary cap, the commissioner makes the kind of sustainability argument familiar to those following last place men’s teams, or the WNBA CBA negotiations.”
galpalsports.com/db/a-league-...
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
The NWSL has finally gotten its million-viewer match. Saturday’s championship game garnered 1.184 million viewers, the most watched game in league history
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The NWSL has finally gotten its million-viewer match. Saturday’s championship game garnered 1.184 million viewers, the most watched game in league history
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/25/s... A story that I’ve been working on for the past few months, about why women’s football is so important to queer people, is published! I really loved writing this and it’s a story that’s very close to my heart. I would love it if you kind folks would give it a read 🤍
Why women’s soccer is so important to queer people | CNN
Someone dressed as Marge Simpson, complete with a gigantic blue wig and a lime green dress, belts out Hot to Go by lesbian pop icon Chappell Roan to a rapt audience gathered inside a marquee in the mi...
edition.cnn.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/25/s... A story that I’ve been working on for the past few months, about why women’s football is so important to queer people, is published! I really loved writing this and it’s a story that’s very close to my heart. I would love it if you kind folks would give it a read 🤍
Reposted by Lesley Ryder
this piece provides a good look at why queer folks and allies are adamant about protecting the space. it's special, and necessary.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/25/s... A story that I’ve been working on for the past few months, about why women’s football is so important to queer people, is published! I really loved writing this and it’s a story that’s very close to my heart. I would love it if you kind folks would give it a read 🤍
Why women’s soccer is so important to queer people | CNN
Someone dressed as Marge Simpson, complete with a gigantic blue wig and a lime green dress, belts out Hot to Go by lesbian pop icon Chappell Roan to a rapt audience gathered inside a marquee in the mi...
edition.cnn.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:40 PM
this piece provides a good look at why queer folks and allies are adamant about protecting the space. it's special, and necessary.
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