@felixhapper.bsky.social
Mostly women’s soccer, sports culture, books, film, etc. Retired academic librarian.
A High Impact Jacket.
December 30, 2025 at 12:57 AM
A High Impact Jacket.
It’s remarkable that Berman has denigrated the players, their professional association, supporter groups, and now claims that young fans need shiny objects to distract them from mere soccer. Will she present this multifaceted strategy at future movers-and-shakers conferences?
December 30, 2025 at 12:31 AM
It’s remarkable that Berman has denigrated the players, their professional association, supporter groups, and now claims that young fans need shiny objects to distract them from mere soccer. Will she present this multifaceted strategy at future movers-and-shakers conferences?
Trump is nothing but a bellowing head, with no arms or legs to actually do anything. It’s all the spineless enablers who actually do the damage. Their hatred of most Americans is unnerving.
December 28, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Trump is nothing but a bellowing head, with no arms or legs to actually do anything. It’s all the spineless enablers who actually do the damage. Their hatred of most Americans is unnerving.
But he’s Moses…
December 25, 2025 at 12:02 AM
But he’s Moses…
Should a promising teenage striker eager for minutes and development go with an expansion club?
December 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Should a promising teenage striker eager for minutes and development go with an expansion club?
Such an absorbing story - one with multiple heroes.
December 24, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Such an absorbing story - one with multiple heroes.
Who on earth actually benefits from this behavior by the league? Is this just an act of spite? It truly seems like a huffy temper tantrum.
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Who on earth actually benefits from this behavior by the league? Is this just an act of spite? It truly seems like a huffy temper tantrum.
Does anybody believe the league’s “brain trust” were so diligent that they created a spreadsheet (or something) that lists the players who qualify in the various categories as of right now? Or did they just wave their hands toward several websites and hope for the best?
December 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Does anybody believe the league’s “brain trust” were so diligent that they created a spreadsheet (or something) that lists the players who qualify in the various categories as of right now? Or did they just wave their hands toward several websites and hope for the best?
Isn’t it funny that the NWSL “leadership” did nothing to improve competitiveness and recruiting when everybody knew a reckoning was coming and now at least 2 of the biggest US stars are shopping and the “leadership” is unprepared? “Leadership” is a funny word.
December 22, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Isn’t it funny that the NWSL “leadership” did nothing to improve competitiveness and recruiting when everybody knew a reckoning was coming and now at least 2 of the biggest US stars are shopping and the “leadership” is unprepared? “Leadership” is a funny word.
Anyone know anything on Brewer?
December 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Anyone know anything on Brewer?
This NWSL leadership is showing a real flair for gratuitous self-inflicted wounds.
December 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
This NWSL leadership is showing a real flair for gratuitous self-inflicted wounds.
The fanaticism to possess centralized control over which players teams can recruit is bizarre - who does that?! What potential “abuse” does the HIP system prevent? What competitive advantage does it give teams? None - in fact, it pointlessly ties the hands of NWSL teams.
December 18, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The fanaticism to possess centralized control over which players teams can recruit is bizarre - who does that?! What potential “abuse” does the HIP system prevent? What competitive advantage does it give teams? None - in fact, it pointlessly ties the hands of NWSL teams.
Every one of these situations has the added bonus of the league leadership refusing to air out issues, pros-and-cons, etc. with woso jours or the ticket- and merch-buying public. Instead, we have no choice but to assume a roomful of various forms of Mr. Burns.
December 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Every one of these situations has the added bonus of the league leadership refusing to air out issues, pros-and-cons, etc. with woso jours or the ticket- and merch-buying public. Instead, we have no choice but to assume a roomful of various forms of Mr. Burns.
Maybe this breaking story arrives in time to catch the attention of the NWSL brain-trust and convince them ouija boards would be a better source. But I still don’t understand the need for this requirement; do we think teams will spend a million bucks for a bench-warmer?
December 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Maybe this breaking story arrives in time to catch the attention of the NWSL brain-trust and convince them ouija boards would be a better source. But I still don’t understand the need for this requirement; do we think teams will spend a million bucks for a bench-warmer?
I think this is spot-on. Moving her to OB might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but no. It might be that an NWSL expansion club could use her as a wide creative option. I recommend any interested GM’s or coaches have a chat with Mark Krikorian, who best understood her abilities.
December 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I think this is spot-on. Moving her to OB might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but no. It might be that an NWSL expansion club could use her as a wide creative option. I recommend any interested GM’s or coaches have a chat with Mark Krikorian, who best understood her abilities.
So ironic he has made a career of railing against aliens, because he is the alien. He displays only twisted versions of human emotions and totally lacks empathy with other humans. He is the emptiest human being I’ve ever seen.
December 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
So ironic he has made a career of railing against aliens, because he is the alien. He displays only twisted versions of human emotions and totally lacks empathy with other humans. He is the emptiest human being I’ve ever seen.
We’re in good hands.
December 15, 2025 at 12:50 AM
We’re in good hands.
I sincerely wish you luck, although I would prefer the league throttle back on the expansion race until we have leadership in place that doesn’t treat players as essentially interchangeable and easily replaced pieces.
December 14, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I sincerely wish you luck, although I would prefer the league throttle back on the expansion race until we have leadership in place that doesn’t treat players as essentially interchangeable and easily replaced pieces.
What problem or abuse do they think they are addressing by limiting eligibility to only somebody else’s idea of “high impact” players?
December 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
What problem or abuse do they think they are addressing by limiting eligibility to only somebody else’s idea of “high impact” players?
Amen. This latest wobbly bureaucratic construction feels like something thrown together in a few hours - which it is. Maybe spend less time on the GROWTH! obsession and more on tending to the health of the league as a competitive soccer-playing entity.
December 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Amen. This latest wobbly bureaucratic construction feels like something thrown together in a few hours - which it is. Maybe spend less time on the GROWTH! obsession and more on tending to the health of the league as a competitive soccer-playing entity.
If Berman had not just gotten the contract extension, I wonder if she could have survived this.
December 12, 2025 at 12:58 AM
If Berman had not just gotten the contract extension, I wonder if she could have survived this.
“Wow” would seem to be appropriate here.
December 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
“Wow” would seem to be appropriate here.
Fingers crossed. God bless us, every one!
December 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Fingers crossed. God bless us, every one!
I will miss your work - hopefully, not for long. Thanks.
December 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I will miss your work - hopefully, not for long. Thanks.