Pablo Maurer
@mlsist.bsky.social
Writer, photographer, washed-up mechanic, jerk. Writing about American soccer and all its weird, wild history. ⚽️
Get a hold of me at hello@pablomaurer.com !
Get a hold of me at hello@pablomaurer.com !
Pinned
Pablo Maurer
@mlsist.bsky.social
· Apr 28
Pablo Iglesias Maurer
Pablo Iglesias Maurer is an award-winning sportswriter and photographer whose work focuses on the game of soccer in North America.
pablomaurer.com
*Some professional news*: After 7+ years, my time at The Athletic is coming to an end in June.
I have dozens of great feature ideas & am eager to keep doing great work ahead of the World Cup and beyond. Somebody hire me!
My DMs are open - please reach out, or find me at pablomaurer.com.
I have dozens of great feature ideas & am eager to keep doing great work ahead of the World Cup and beyond. Somebody hire me!
My DMs are open - please reach out, or find me at pablomaurer.com.
Reposted by Pablo Maurer
Zohran Mamdani—a real-deal soccer aficionado & magnetic political force—is the right guy to lead the charge against FIFA. For too long, FIFA has been “fully focused on monetizing the sport, no matter the collateral damage,” as @leanderalphabet.bsky.social put it www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Zohran Mamdani has upended US politics. Now he should take on Fifa | Jules Boykoff
New York’s mayor-elect has taken on powerful institutions. With the World Cup taking place in his city, he should challenge Fifa next
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Zohran Mamdani—a real-deal soccer aficionado & magnetic political force—is the right guy to lead the charge against FIFA. For too long, FIFA has been “fully focused on monetizing the sport, no matter the collateral damage,” as @leanderalphabet.bsky.social put it www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Absolutely insane goal in insane conditions in the CPL final. Absurd.
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Absolutely insane goal in insane conditions in the CPL final. Absurd.
If you have enough match-worn vintage American soccer stuff you can pull together a last-minute costume like 1997 MLS REFEREE OF THE YEAR ESSE BAHARMAST (this is his kit from 1996.) Only downside is you die alone. Love Cindy the cat’s cameo here too.
October 31, 2025 at 8:53 PM
If you have enough match-worn vintage American soccer stuff you can pull together a last-minute costume like 1997 MLS REFEREE OF THE YEAR ESSE BAHARMAST (this is his kit from 1996.) Only downside is you die alone. Love Cindy the cat’s cameo here too.
Remember, MLS fans, if you’re still looking for a Halloween costume, you can always go as a ghost.
October 31, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Remember, MLS fans, if you’re still looking for a Halloween costume, you can always go as a ghost.
Diego Maradona would've turned 65 today.
A few years ago I wrote one of my all-time favorite stories: the improbable, insane tale of Maradona's one-game career with a Canadian minor league team, complete with long-lost footage, photos & interviews.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/206...
A few years ago I wrote one of my all-time favorite stories: the improbable, insane tale of Maradona's one-game career with a Canadian minor league team, complete with long-lost footage, photos & interviews.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/206...
‘God was in town’: The night Diego Maradona played in Canada
Maradona still had the magic, even in a late-career match against Canadian semi-pro all-stars in 1996. "It was just beautiful."
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Diego Maradona would've turned 65 today.
A few years ago I wrote one of my all-time favorite stories: the improbable, insane tale of Maradona's one-game career with a Canadian minor league team, complete with long-lost footage, photos & interviews.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/206...
A few years ago I wrote one of my all-time favorite stories: the improbable, insane tale of Maradona's one-game career with a Canadian minor league team, complete with long-lost footage, photos & interviews.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/206...
@romanmars.bsky.social heard the teaser after the last endless thread episode and i PRAY TO GOD that the sega game is seaman. was obsessed with it 20 years ago.
October 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
@romanmars.bsky.social heard the teaser after the last endless thread episode and i PRAY TO GOD that the sega game is seaman. was obsessed with it 20 years ago.
They say we have no “footballing culture” but right now in America, there’s a team named “Sharktopus FC” that just earned a replay of a loss because the ref for their last match turned out to have once been a player for their opponent’s second team. 🇺🇸
October 22, 2025 at 1:43 PM
They say we have no “footballing culture” but right now in America, there’s a team named “Sharktopus FC” that just earned a replay of a loss because the ref for their last match turned out to have once been a player for their opponent’s second team. 🇺🇸
Don’t get a tattoo of Striker, they said. Your body is a temple, they said.
October 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Don’t get a tattoo of Striker, they said. Your body is a temple, they said.
I’m so thrilled to see @tombogert.bsky.social back at The Athletic! I was there when he left the first time and none of us wanted him gone in the first place. 😊
October 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
I’m so thrilled to see @tombogert.bsky.social back at The Athletic! I was there when he left the first time and none of us wanted him gone in the first place. 😊
Guys, I think I need to talk to whoever makes DC Power’s score graphics
October 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Guys, I think I need to talk to whoever makes DC Power’s score graphics
We literally just played one in a country where the stadiums were built by slave labor and the president of FIFA seems to be besties with Trump so…. yeah I think it’ll
still happen, buddy.
still happen, buddy.
Don't bet on the World Cup being played in Nazi America.
October 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We literally just played one in a country where the stadiums were built by slave labor and the president of FIFA seems to be besties with Trump so…. yeah I think it’ll
still happen, buddy.
still happen, buddy.
Filmed for a documentary yesterday in NYC and I was chatting w/a PA who played for the Nashville Metros in 2008.
I told him I grew up going to games in Nashville in the 90s w/a handful of other soccer weirdos. The rise of @nashvillesc.bsky.social still feels like a fever dream. Congrats, guys.
I told him I grew up going to games in Nashville in the 90s w/a handful of other soccer weirdos. The rise of @nashvillesc.bsky.social still feels like a fever dream. Congrats, guys.
October 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Filmed for a documentary yesterday in NYC and I was chatting w/a PA who played for the Nashville Metros in 2008.
I told him I grew up going to games in Nashville in the 90s w/a handful of other soccer weirdos. The rise of @nashvillesc.bsky.social still feels like a fever dream. Congrats, guys.
I told him I grew up going to games in Nashville in the 90s w/a handful of other soccer weirdos. The rise of @nashvillesc.bsky.social still feels like a fever dream. Congrats, guys.
Sure do hope I end up covering the World Cup for an outlet becuase I feel absolutely certain that there's no way, shape or form I'll be able to afford even one game as a fan.
October 2, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Sure do hope I end up covering the World Cup for an outlet becuase I feel absolutely certain that there's no way, shape or form I'll be able to afford even one game as a fan.
Maybe the best thing about coaching high school soccer is you get to witness moments where the kids support and love each other & lift each other up through tough moments. There’s plenty of bitching too, but it is so, *so* wonderful to witness kids that age showing kindness to each other.
September 30, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Maybe the best thing about coaching high school soccer is you get to witness moments where the kids support and love each other & lift each other up through tough moments. There’s plenty of bitching too, but it is so, *so* wonderful to witness kids that age showing kindness to each other.
A random person walked up to me in the airport in Raleigh-Durham a couple of weeks ago and told me they loved my writing. It happens occasionally, and it’s always the nicest thing. In that moment, it felt so important I could’ve cried. It’s just been a tough few months. So if that was you, thanks.
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 AM
A random person walked up to me in the airport in Raleigh-Durham a couple of weeks ago and told me they loved my writing. It happens occasionally, and it’s always the nicest thing. In that moment, it felt so important I could’ve cried. It’s just been a tough few months. So if that was you, thanks.
Sources telling me that DC United has cut the entirety of its scouting department as the club continues its overhaul under new sporting director Erkut Sogut & head coach Rene Weiler. Assitant GM Caleb Shreve among those let go (that bit first reported by my guy @tombogert.bsky.social the other day.)
September 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Sources telling me that DC United has cut the entirety of its scouting department as the club continues its overhaul under new sporting director Erkut Sogut & head coach Rene Weiler. Assitant GM Caleb Shreve among those let go (that bit first reported by my guy @tombogert.bsky.social the other day.)
tfw i come on here to tell everyone i have a new, obscure soccer history deep dive coming soon
September 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
tfw i come on here to tell everyone i have a new, obscure soccer history deep dive coming soon
Reposted by Pablo Maurer
it’s Constitution Day btw
*DISNEY'S ABC PULLS KIMMEL SHOW INDEFINITELY, WSJ REPORTER POSTS
September 18, 2025 at 12:20 AM
it’s Constitution Day btw
Somewhat tipsy at a bar in DC - and old, so all of a sudden in recent months I can’t read up close well - and I read this as “Hat trick for Seu Jorge?” and I was so, so confused and so, so excited all at once.
September 18, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Somewhat tipsy at a bar in DC - and old, so all of a sudden in recent months I can’t read up close well - and I read this as “Hat trick for Seu Jorge?” and I was so, so confused and so, so excited all at once.
Highly enjoyed all of this. 👀
New ep! @mlsist.bsky.social and I unpack the Ally Mackay news and his rumored replacement as CSO of D.C. United.
Come for Pablo's witty cynicism, stay for my unhinged MLSNP rants.
Appreciate @blazindw.bsky.social & @dreyesceron.bsky.social for their reporting.
www.buzzsprout.com/8793/episode...
Come for Pablo's witty cynicism, stay for my unhinged MLSNP rants.
Appreciate @blazindw.bsky.social & @dreyesceron.bsky.social for their reporting.
www.buzzsprout.com/8793/episode...
Ally Mackay is OUT at D.C. United - Pitch Pass
Another day, another change in leadership at D.C. United. Ally Mackay is out as Chief Soccer Officer of DCU and with rumors swirling of a new CSO already in place, it's a good time to reset (again) wh...
www.buzzsprout.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Highly enjoyed all of this. 👀
A really worthwhile watch. Cackling right now honestly.
So D.C. United's owners sat down with our local Fox 5 affiliate and for whatever reason, Fox uploaded the entire 15 min interview uncut
I watched the whole thing & will post some highlights I noticed of the entire thing
www.fox5dc.com/video/1708677
first up, the opening they forgot to clip (1/#)
I watched the whole thing & will post some highlights I noticed of the entire thing
www.fox5dc.com/video/1708677
first up, the opening they forgot to clip (1/#)
September 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
A really worthwhile watch. Cackling right now honestly.
Love receiving a text like this from @gregoryroche.bsky.social, seems to happen every time there’s a new DC United shitshow…. So… see y’all on the show tomorrow.
September 16, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Love receiving a text like this from @gregoryroche.bsky.social, seems to happen every time there’s a new DC United shitshow…. So… see y’all on the show tomorrow.
Reposted by Pablo Maurer
It hasn’t been said publicly but all the DCU SGs have agreed on no more drums, banners and flags (besides Pride tonight) for the rest of the season.
They’re done.
Jason Levien has also been made aware and was told this at the STM Q&A on Thursday night
They’re done.
Jason Levien has also been made aware and was told this at the STM Q&A on Thursday night
76 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, perfect evening in Washington DC. Got roped into a DC United game for the first time in nearly two years. There’s nobody here to see it. The state of the supporters end in particular kills me.
September 14, 2025 at 12:01 AM
It hasn’t been said publicly but all the DCU SGs have agreed on no more drums, banners and flags (besides Pride tonight) for the rest of the season.
They’re done.
Jason Levien has also been made aware and was told this at the STM Q&A on Thursday night
They’re done.
Jason Levien has also been made aware and was told this at the STM Q&A on Thursday night
76 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, perfect evening in Washington DC. Got roped into a DC United game for the first time in nearly two years. There’s nobody here to see it. The state of the supporters end in particular kills me.
September 13, 2025 at 11:46 PM
76 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, perfect evening in Washington DC. Got roped into a DC United game for the first time in nearly two years. There’s nobody here to see it. The state of the supporters end in particular kills me.
Doing some research at the National Soccer HOF archives in North Carolina today and doing my very best to alienate everyone here, too.
September 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Doing some research at the National Soccer HOF archives in North Carolina today and doing my very best to alienate everyone here, too.