James Nalton
@jdnalton.bsky.social
Freelance sports and football writer for the Morning Star newspaper, FotMob, World Soccer magazine, Guardian US, BBC, and the Soccer Times.
MLS, USL, US Open Cup, Concacaf and American soccer reverie.
MLS, USL, US Open Cup, Concacaf and American soccer reverie.
Report from Anfield as part of the Morning Star's weekend football coverage in today's paper
February 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Report from Anfield as part of the Morning Star's weekend football coverage in today's paper
Reposted by James Nalton
Our team-by-team MLS previews are live at @backheeled.com 👀
You can binge all 30 previews right up until Saturday's first kick. Or, you can just read about your favorite team and hate-read about your biggest rival.
Whatever floats your boat.
Read ⤵️️
You can binge all 30 previews right up until Saturday's first kick. Or, you can just read about your favorite team and hate-read about your biggest rival.
Whatever floats your boat.
Read ⤵️️
MLS 2026 season team previews: In-depth, unparalleled look at all 30 clubs
With a new MLS season starting this weekend, we have unparalleled previews for each and every team.
www.backheeled.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Our team-by-team MLS previews are live at @backheeled.com 👀
You can binge all 30 previews right up until Saturday's first kick. Or, you can just read about your favorite team and hate-read about your biggest rival.
Whatever floats your boat.
Read ⤵️️
You can binge all 30 previews right up until Saturday's first kick. Or, you can just read about your favorite team and hate-read about your biggest rival.
Whatever floats your boat.
Read ⤵️️
Contacts measured in years seems like a thing a professional league, one looking to introduce a top tier division, should be able to offer players as standard, not haggle over. Suggests USL doesn't have the right relationship structure between player, club, and league.
"The USLPA is aggressively pushing for mandatory 12-month guaranteed contracts. Year-round contracts are something that multiple clubs tell me would hurt their business."
There are plenty of smart people around the USL, but that second sentence there is a woeful look for the management side.
There are plenty of smart people around the USL, but that second sentence there is a woeful look for the management side.
Explaining the "poison pill" and why it is that in the USL negotiations.
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
open.substack.com/pub/beyondth...
February 16, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Contacts measured in years seems like a thing a professional league, one looking to introduce a top tier division, should be able to offer players as standard, not haggle over. Suggests USL doesn't have the right relationship structure between player, club, and league.
My 2026 MLS preview and plenty of other US soccer stuff, including a USL feature on two new New York teams, will be in upcoming issues of World Soccer magazine ahead of the World Cup. Subscribe here! shop.kelsey.co.uk/world-soccer...
Subscribe to World Soccer | Kelsey Media
Subscribe to World Soccer | Kelsey Media
shop.kelsey.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 3:35 PM
My 2026 MLS preview and plenty of other US soccer stuff, including a USL feature on two new New York teams, will be in upcoming issues of World Soccer magazine ahead of the World Cup. Subscribe here! shop.kelsey.co.uk/world-soccer...
Oasis Hindu Times demo using a drum loop, in some ways better than the final recorded version. youtu.be/lcu-U6oypjI?...
Oasis - The Hindu Times (Demo Version)
YouTube video by OasisILove
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Oasis Hindu Times demo using a drum loop, in some ways better than the final recorded version. youtu.be/lcu-U6oypjI?...
Reposted by James Nalton
If you haven't seen this yet, check it out:
Everyone loves Olympic curling — and some even think it looks easy. So how hard can it be?
My @phillysport.bsky.social colleague Ariel Simpson went to the Philadelphia Curling Club to try herself.
www.inquirer.com/sports/olymp... via @inquirer.com
Everyone loves Olympic curling — and some even think it looks easy. So how hard can it be?
My @phillysport.bsky.social colleague Ariel Simpson went to the Philadelphia Curling Club to try herself.
www.inquirer.com/sports/olymp... via @inquirer.com
Everyone loves Olympic curling — and some even think it looks easy. So how hard can it be?
Here’s everything you need to know about the training that goes into curling, my own experience on the ice, and local places to play ...
www.inquirer.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:38 PM
If you haven't seen this yet, check it out:
Everyone loves Olympic curling — and some even think it looks easy. So how hard can it be?
My @phillysport.bsky.social colleague Ariel Simpson went to the Philadelphia Curling Club to try herself.
www.inquirer.com/sports/olymp... via @inquirer.com
Everyone loves Olympic curling — and some even think it looks easy. So how hard can it be?
My @phillysport.bsky.social colleague Ariel Simpson went to the Philadelphia Curling Club to try herself.
www.inquirer.com/sports/olymp... via @inquirer.com
Reposted by James Nalton
This is how BBC Alba introduced Serie A 🥹
February 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
This is how BBC Alba introduced Serie A 🥹
Salah will be wishing he could play against Kadioglu every week. Looked like his old self tonight.
February 14, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Salah will be wishing he could play against Kadioglu every week. Looked like his old self tonight.
Teams (Brighton, Newcastle) leaving two up in attack when defending corners (both vs Liverpool).
February 14, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Teams (Brighton, Newcastle) leaving two up in attack when defending corners (both vs Liverpool).
This weekend's Morning Star column on a new season of Super League, rooted in the historic rugby league heartlands but with some new interest, including a huge upset by newcomers York Knights in Thursday's season opener.
February 14, 2026 at 12:42 PM
This weekend's Morning Star column on a new season of Super League, rooted in the historic rugby league heartlands but with some new interest, including a huge upset by newcomers York Knights in Thursday's season opener.
Reposted by James Nalton
Reposted by James Nalton
Liverpool in talks with Ibrahima Konate about a new contract. Arne Slot wants to keep him:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Slot confirms fresh talks with Konate over contract extension
Liverpool risk losing Konate on a free transfer in the summer when his current deal expires
www.independent.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Liverpool in talks with Ibrahima Konate about a new contract. Arne Slot wants to keep him:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Reposted by James Nalton
Saturday's Morning Star back page: "Stop making immigrants the scapegoat, urges Pep" #tomorrowspaperstoday
February 13, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Saturday's Morning Star back page: "Stop making immigrants the scapegoat, urges Pep" #tomorrowspaperstoday
Saturday's Morning Star back page: "Stop making immigrants the scapegoat, urges Pep" #tomorrowspaperstoday
February 13, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Saturday's Morning Star back page: "Stop making immigrants the scapegoat, urges Pep" #tomorrowspaperstoday
Reposted by James Nalton
Had a great time hopping on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social with @empiregass.bsky.social to chat NYCFC ahead of the 2026 season
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
2026 NYCFC season preview with @hudsonriverblue.com 🎧
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
John (@thepigeonsnycfc.bsky.social) of @hrbpod.bsky.social joins @empiregass.bsky.social to talk all things NYCFC and see where the season can take them.
📺: youtu.be/cNznUWureV4
2026 NYCFC Season Preview with Hudson River Blue
YouTube video by SoccerwiseHQ
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Had a great time hopping on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social with @empiregass.bsky.social to chat NYCFC ahead of the 2026 season
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
The work Soccerwise and @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social are doing for soccer media in this country is truly vital, so to play even a small part in their coverage is a huge honor ✌️
Billboard outside Old Trafford aimed at Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe: "Immigrants Have done More For This City Than Billionaire Tax Dodgers Ever Will" www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Blaming immigrants for problems is wrong, says Pep Guardiola after Ratcliffe comments
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has said that blaming a country’s issues on immigrants is ‘a big problem’ after comments made by the Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Billboard outside Old Trafford aimed at Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe: "Immigrants Have done More For This City Than Billionaire Tax Dodgers Ever Will" www.theguardian.com/football/202...
15,064 in attendance in Warrington for their season opener against St Helens tonight. A record attendance for the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and Warrington's biggest home crowd since March 1973 #rugbyleague
February 13, 2026 at 10:34 PM
15,064 in attendance in Warrington for their season opener against St Helens tonight. A record attendance for the Halliwell Jones Stadium, and Warrington's biggest home crowd since March 1973 #rugbyleague
Reposted by James Nalton
Well said. The front page of my newspaper today
February 13, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Well said. The front page of my newspaper today
BBC ALBA will show eight Italian Serie A games featuring Scottish players between now and the end of the season, beginning with Torino v Bologna on Sunday, featuring Che Adams (Torino) and Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) 🏴🇮🇹
February 13, 2026 at 10:53 AM
BBC ALBA will show eight Italian Serie A games featuring Scottish players between now and the end of the season, beginning with Torino v Bologna on Sunday, featuring Che Adams (Torino) and Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) 🏴🇮🇹
Reposted by James Nalton
Friday's Morning Star front page: Billionaires are the problem, not immigrants #tomorrowspaperstoday
February 12, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Friday's Morning Star front page: Billionaires are the problem, not immigrants #tomorrowspaperstoday
Friday's Morning Star front page: Billionaires are the problem, not immigrants #tomorrowspaperstoday
February 12, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Friday's Morning Star front page: Billionaires are the problem, not immigrants #tomorrowspaperstoday
Nottingham Forest somehow failed to score from this 6 (six) on 1 vs Wolves.
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Nottingham Forest somehow failed to score from this 6 (six) on 1 vs Wolves.
Racist rhetoric from Man United owner Jim Ratcliffe, who also says Nigel Farage has "good intentions". In fitting with, and an extension of, his treatment of workers at INEOS Grangemouth and United.
February 11, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Racist rhetoric from Man United owner Jim Ratcliffe, who also says Nigel Farage has "good intentions". In fitting with, and an extension of, his treatment of workers at INEOS Grangemouth and United.
These things are connected. The reason away support seems better (for many clubs, not just Man City) is because home stadium ticketing focuses on hospitality, corporate, and creating an event to be marketed rather than a team to supported.
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 AM
These things are connected. The reason away support seems better (for many clubs, not just Man City) is because home stadium ticketing focuses on hospitality, corporate, and creating an event to be marketed rather than a team to supported.
Reposted by James Nalton
Southampton’s comeback at Leicester City is one for the ages.
Just look at the shift in momentum!
Just look at the shift in momentum!
February 10, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Southampton’s comeback at Leicester City is one for the ages.
Just look at the shift in momentum!
Just look at the shift in momentum!