Abigail Segel
@abigailsegel.bsky.social
Freelance writer. Women's soccer contributor for Defector. Editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Bylines in the Guardian and Montreal Gazette. Former Normal Gossip intern. She/her. More info at abigailsegel dot com
Pinned
The US’s biggest pro women’s sports unions have found strength together
For NWSL and WNBA players’ unions, collective actions have been key to their successes in wholly different sports
www.theguardian.com
For the WNBPA and the NWSLPA, solidarity is an ethos as well as a strategy. I spoke with leaders from both unions to learn more about the organizations' strong relationship:
Siri, play "Comeback" by Carly Rae Jepsen ft. Bleachers
"What’s exciting me is maybe not a lot of people are believing in us."
The Chicago Stars, under first-year coach Martin Sjögren, are ready to make a comeback, writes Abigail Segel.
Subscribe to EQZ Extra to read! 🔐
equalizersoccer.com/2026/02/06/m...
The Chicago Stars, under first-year coach Martin Sjögren, are ready to make a comeback, writes Abigail Segel.
Subscribe to EQZ Extra to read! 🔐
equalizersoccer.com/2026/02/06/m...
Martin Sjögren, Jameese Joseph and the Chicago Stars are ready to make a comeback
'What’s exciting me is maybe not a lot of people are believing in us,' Joseph told the press from Spain
equalizersoccer.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Siri, play "Comeback" by Carly Rae Jepsen ft. Bleachers
Reposted by Abigail Segel
What we loved about Dan McQuade:
What We Loved About Dan McQuade | Defector
Today is Dan McQuade’s funeral. To celebrate our friend, we wanted to give the people he worked with a place to explain what they loved so much about him. If you would like to support Dan’s widow Jan,...
defector.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:04 PM
What we loved about Dan McQuade:
For The IX Soccer, @catabush.com dug into just how much the recent loss of advanced stats on FBref hurts accessibility of women's soccer data. (Turns out, a lot.) Come for the stylish bar graphs, stay for the overview of the new women's soccer data landscape:
Loss of FBref advanced stats is disaster for women’s soccer data - The IX Sports
After Opta forced FBref to pull certain statistics, the disparity between men’s and women’s soccer coverage has become more pronounced.
www.theixsports.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:39 PM
For The IX Soccer, @catabush.com dug into just how much the recent loss of advanced stats on FBref hurts accessibility of women's soccer data. (Turns out, a lot.) Come for the stylish bar graphs, stay for the overview of the new women's soccer data landscape:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
Did that one time when Manchester City and Chelsea played each other four times in a row swap their fates, Freaky Friday style? An investigation:
Manchester City Lost A Battle But Is Winning The War For English Women's Soccer Supremacy | Defector
Have you heard the old wives’ tale that if two football teams face each other in four consecutive matches, their fates swap the next season, Freaky Friday style? That seems to be what has happened to ...
defector.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Did that one time when Manchester City and Chelsea played each other four times in a row swap their fates, Freaky Friday style? An investigation:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
Sixers hold a moment of silence for Dan McQuade.
January 30, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Sixers hold a moment of silence for Dan McQuade.
Dan was the sweetest guy, and a damn good writer and designer. I’ll always appreciate how much thought he put into the cover art for my first big blog as an intern (below). Thinking of his wife and their son. May his memory be a blessing to all who love him.
January 29, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Dan was the sweetest guy, and a damn good writer and designer. I’ll always appreciate how much thought he put into the cover art for my first big blog as an intern (below). Thinking of his wife and their son. May his memory be a blessing to all who love him.
Reposted by Abigail Segel
The signing of Claudia Martínez, the first Paraguayan player in NWSL history, highlights the Washington Spirit's increasingly global roster.
@kgier.bsky.social spoke to Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Gabby Carle, and more about their team's embrace of international talent:
@kgier.bsky.social spoke to Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Gabby Carle, and more about their team's embrace of international talent:
International talent turn Washington Spirit into top NWSL contender - The IX Sports
The Washington Spirit announced a stunning investment in Paraguayan star Claudia Martínez, highlighting their increasingly global roster.
www.theixsports.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The signing of Claudia Martínez, the first Paraguayan player in NWSL history, highlights the Washington Spirit's increasingly global roster.
@kgier.bsky.social spoke to Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Gabby Carle, and more about their team's embrace of international talent:
@kgier.bsky.social spoke to Gift Monday, Rosemonde Kouassi, Gabby Carle, and more about their team's embrace of international talent:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
NEW: Reflections on a soccer Saturday, from a state under siege by the FIFA Peace Prize winner. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
A Saturday and a state killing: soccer as Minnesota is torn apart | Jeff Rueter
On the whims of Fifa’s Peace Prize winner, a life usually so focused on sports has found anything but peace
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:17 PM
NEW: Reflections on a soccer Saturday, from a state under siege by the FIFA Peace Prize winner. www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Did that one time when Manchester City and Chelsea played each other four times in a row swap their fates, Freaky Friday style? An investigation:
Manchester City Lost A Battle But Is Winning The War For English Women's Soccer Supremacy | Defector
Have you heard the old wives’ tale that if two football teams face each other in four consecutive matches, their fates swap the next season, Freaky Friday style? That seems to be what has happened to ...
defector.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Did that one time when Manchester City and Chelsea played each other four times in a row swap their fates, Freaky Friday style? An investigation:
Once the NWSL flew the nest of U.S. Soccer, it had an opportunity to embrace some of the freedom the rest of the world enjoys. Recent events show the league hasn't caught up to the reality that it is in charge of its own destiny.
My latest for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
My latest for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Sam Coffey’s Man City move is another blow for a hamstrung NWSL
USWNT stars have a world of options as their domestic league struggles to match European teams’ ambition
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Once the NWSL flew the nest of U.S. Soccer, it had an opportunity to embrace some of the freedom the rest of the world enjoys. Recent events show the league hasn't caught up to the reality that it is in charge of its own destiny.
My latest for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
My latest for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Thrilled to be joining @kgier.bsky.social, Julie Schreiber, and the rest of the incredible @theixsports.bsky.social team as an editor of the newly launched The IX Soccer 🎉
📬 Have a women's soccer story you want to write? Email us your pitch at theixsoccer@theixsports.com
📬 Have a women's soccer story you want to write? Email us your pitch at theixsoccer@theixsports.com
Good morning. It's a HUGE day for @theixsports.bsky.social. Read all about The IX Soccer, our newest sport-specific vertical. It's the coverage women's soccer deserves, and now it's here! #NWSL #USWNT #woso #WSL #WorldCup2027
How The IX Soccer will revolutionize women's soccer coverage - The IX Sports
How The IX Soccer will revolutionize women's soccer coverage. Come inside: we've created this women's soccer media space for you.
www.theixsports.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Thrilled to be joining @kgier.bsky.social, Julie Schreiber, and the rest of the incredible @theixsports.bsky.social team as an editor of the newly launched The IX Soccer 🎉
📬 Have a women's soccer story you want to write? Email us your pitch at theixsoccer@theixsports.com
📬 Have a women's soccer story you want to write? Email us your pitch at theixsoccer@theixsports.com
Reposted by Abigail Segel
First, stories about NWSL culture, safety, and labor issues:
Berman's priorities defector.com/jessica-berm...
Heat policy theguardian.com/football/202...
Players' unions theguardian.com/football/202...
Transphobia & racism defector.com/the-anti-tra...
Berman's priorities defector.com/jessica-berm...
Heat policy theguardian.com/football/202...
Players' unions theguardian.com/football/202...
Transphobia & racism defector.com/the-anti-tra...
December 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
First, stories about NWSL culture, safety, and labor issues:
Berman's priorities defector.com/jessica-berm...
Heat policy theguardian.com/football/202...
Players' unions theguardian.com/football/202...
Transphobia & racism defector.com/the-anti-tra...
Berman's priorities defector.com/jessica-berm...
Heat policy theguardian.com/football/202...
Players' unions theguardian.com/football/202...
Transphobia & racism defector.com/the-anti-tra...
Reposted by Abigail Segel
Now that my final bylines of December have been published, here's a thread of my favorite stories I wrote in 2025. My first months of freelancing full time have been an adventure, to say the least—one that has gone better than I dared to hope when I graduated from college in June. The stories:
December 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Now that my final bylines of December have been published, here's a thread of my favorite stories I wrote in 2025. My first months of freelancing full time have been an adventure, to say the least—one that has gone better than I dared to hope when I graduated from college in June. The stories:
Now that my final bylines of December have been published, here's a thread of my favorite stories I wrote in 2025. My first months of freelancing full time have been an adventure, to say the least—one that has gone better than I dared to hope when I graduated from college in June. The stories:
December 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Now that my final bylines of December have been published, here's a thread of my favorite stories I wrote in 2025. My first months of freelancing full time have been an adventure, to say the least—one that has gone better than I dared to hope when I graduated from college in June. The stories:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
A couple weeks after going to their live podcast taping in San Jose, I spoke with Tobin Heath and Christen Press about their ever-shifting relationship with the public, covering a generation of stars with a quieter approach to politics and labor issues, the NWSL salary cap, and more:
Christen Press And Tobin Heath Want To Keep Up The Fight | Defector
SAN JOSE, Calif. — When the podcasters arrived, they bypassed the wide talk show armchairs. Instead, they sat at the edge of the stage, heads barely above the crowd of adoring fans in front of them, a...
defector.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A couple weeks after going to their live podcast taping in San Jose, I spoke with Tobin Heath and Christen Press about their ever-shifting relationship with the public, covering a generation of stars with a quieter approach to politics and labor issues, the NWSL salary cap, and more:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
⚽️ Trinity Rodman scored in her return
🏆 The #NWSL Championship served as a fitting conclusion to the league's 12th season
🌎 Summer continental tournaments brought the fireworks
Check out the final Part 3️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review!
🏆 The #NWSL Championship served as a fitting conclusion to the league's 12th season
🌎 Summer continental tournaments brought the fireworks
Check out the final Part 3️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review!
The Equalizer’s Year in Review — Part 3
Trinity Rodman scored in her triumphant return to NWSL play, the NWSL Championship fittingly concluded the league's 12th season, and a summer of international tournaments brought the fireworks
equalizersoccer.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:50 AM
⚽️ Trinity Rodman scored in her return
🏆 The #NWSL Championship served as a fitting conclusion to the league's 12th season
🌎 Summer continental tournaments brought the fireworks
Check out the final Part 3️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review!
🏆 The #NWSL Championship served as a fitting conclusion to the league's 12th season
🌎 Summer continental tournaments brought the fireworks
Check out the final Part 3️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review!
A couple weeks after going to their live podcast taping in San Jose, I spoke with Tobin Heath and Christen Press about their ever-shifting relationship with the public, covering a generation of stars with a quieter approach to politics and labor issues, the NWSL salary cap, and more:
Christen Press And Tobin Heath Want To Keep Up The Fight | Defector
SAN JOSE, Calif. — When the podcasters arrived, they bypassed the wide talk show armchairs. Instead, they sat at the edge of the stage, heads barely above the crowd of adoring fans in front of them, a...
defector.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
A couple weeks after going to their live podcast taping in San Jose, I spoke with Tobin Heath and Christen Press about their ever-shifting relationship with the public, covering a generation of stars with a quieter approach to politics and labor issues, the NWSL salary cap, and more:
Reposted by Abigail Segel
💰 Atlanta paid BIG for #NWSL Expansion
👏 The legend Lu Barnes announces her retirement
👶 Pregnant players shows NWSL's progress
🇺🇸 16 Players debut for the #USWNT
Part 2️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review is here!
equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/29/t...
👏 The legend Lu Barnes announces her retirement
👶 Pregnant players shows NWSL's progress
🇺🇸 16 Players debut for the #USWNT
Part 2️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review is here!
equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/29/t...
The Equalizer’s Year in Review — Part 2
Atlanta paid a record NWSL expansion fee, numerous pregnancies highlighted the NWSL's progress on parental leave, Lauren Barnes retired a Seattle Reign and NWSL legend, plus Emma Hayes gave an abundan...
equalizersoccer.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
💰 Atlanta paid BIG for #NWSL Expansion
👏 The legend Lu Barnes announces her retirement
👶 Pregnant players shows NWSL's progress
🇺🇸 16 Players debut for the #USWNT
Part 2️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review is here!
equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/29/t...
👏 The legend Lu Barnes announces her retirement
👶 Pregnant players shows NWSL's progress
🇺🇸 16 Players debut for the #USWNT
Part 2️⃣ of The Equalizer's Year in Review is here!
equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/29/t...
Michelle Agyemang, Vicky López, & Aggie Beever-Jones join the list of HIP-eligible players from ESPN's top players of 2025, released this morning. Their additions only shift the balance further towards Europe. My story for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social has been updated:
99 players qualify for NWSL's new HIP money. Only 16 aren't American or European. I made a list of all the players who are eligible to take advantage of the league's new rule that the NWSLPA seems to hate. (I also made a list of players who don't qualify, but probably, definitely should):
Who is eligible for the NWSL’s new “High Impact Player” rule money? A lot of Europeans, it turns out. @abigailsegel.bsky.social dug into the newly announced criteria to determine who exactly qualifies for the contentious new roster designation—and who doesn’t: equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/23/w...
December 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Michelle Agyemang, Vicky López, & Aggie Beever-Jones join the list of HIP-eligible players from ESPN's top players of 2025, released this morning. Their additions only shift the balance further towards Europe. My story for @equalizersoccer.bsky.social has been updated:
99 players qualify for NWSL's new HIP money. Only 16 aren't American or European. I made a list of all the players who are eligible to take advantage of the league's new rule that the NWSLPA seems to hate. (I also made a list of players who don't qualify, but probably, definitely should):
Who is eligible for the NWSL’s new “High Impact Player” rule money? A lot of Europeans, it turns out. @abigailsegel.bsky.social dug into the newly announced criteria to determine who exactly qualifies for the contentious new roster designation—and who doesn’t: equalizersoccer.com/2025/12/23/w...
Who exactly is eligible for HIP money?
The National Women’s Soccer League’s official announcement of its new “High Impact Player” rule included the criteria that will be used to determine which players will qualify for the new roster mecha...
equalizersoccer.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:31 PM
99 players qualify for NWSL's new HIP money. Only 16 aren't American or European. I made a list of all the players who are eligible to take advantage of the league's new rule that the NWSLPA seems to hate. (I also made a list of players who don't qualify, but probably, definitely should):
reposting this for no reason at all
For the WNBPA and the NWSLPA, solidarity is an ethos as well as a strategy. I spoke with leaders from both unions to learn more about the organizations' strong relationship:
The US’s biggest pro women’s sports unions have found strength together
For NWSL and WNBA players’ unions, collective actions have been key to their successes in wholly different sports
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
reposting this for no reason at all
Everyone who’s eligible should throw their hat into the ring! Coolest job in the world
Big news: Defector is looking to hire editorial interns for the summer of 2026. That could be you! More info here: defector.com/would-you-li...
Would You Like To Be Defector’s Sixth-Ever Editorial Intern? | Defector
Big news: Defector is looking to hire editorial interns for the summer of 2026. Wow! That could be you! How could it be you? I am here to answer that question, and many more. What will a Defector…
defector.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Everyone who’s eligible should throw their hat into the ring! Coolest job in the world
Reposted by Abigail Segel
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:
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: