Melanie Anzidei
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melanieanzidei.bsky.social
Melanie Anzidei
@melanieanzidei.bsky.social
2.7K followers 250 following 23 posts
I write about fútbol for The Athletic
Based in New Jersey / New York City
Proud daughter of immigrants 🇦🇷🇮🇹
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
adamcrafton.bsky.social
A news conference started well for Gianni Infantino. Then Trump reiterated threats to relocate World Cup games from LA and Seattle. And then the likely recipient of FIFA’s peace prize didn’t rule out launching strikes on World Cup co hosts Mexico.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Trump threatens World Cup host cities over 'safety' concerns, announces visa scheme for fans
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
paultenorio.bsky.social
BREAKING: MLS owners officially voted to flip to a "summer-spring" format beginning in mid-July and running through the end of May. Will start in 2027.

Also voted on the regular season format.

Details and quotes here from Palm Beach.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
MLS owners vote to flip schedule to European calendar, change format starting in 2027
MLS will soon align with leagues that play from the fall to the spring after a transformational decision made by its owners
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
tombogert.bsky.social
Sources: MLS owners are expected to vote on flipping to fall-spring calendar at Thursday's BOG meeting. Could happen as soon as 2027.

Also: Changes to competition format expected too, including single league table + divisions.

w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Sources: MLS owners set to vote on season calendar, format changes Thursday
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
meglinehan.com
The NWSL's silence on its gender eligibility approach has invited harassment of players — and now, an op-ed from a current player calling for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't exist.

Statements from NWSL, NWSLPA & thoughts from me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NWSL’s lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable – just not in the way you think
An op-ed from Angel City midfielder Elizabeth Eddy called for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't currently exist.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The United States Soccer Federation formally shared its plans to co-host the 2031 women’s World Cup with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, the federation announced on Monday.

✍️ @melanieanzidei.bsky.social & @henrybushnell.bsky.social
United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica announce joint 2031 Women’s World Cup bid
Hosts will be officially confirmed at the FIFA Congress on April 30, 2026 in Vancouver.
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathletic.com
The beginning, the middle, the end.

Christen Press has announced her retirement. The USWNT star reflects on her career with three letters addressed to Little Christen, football and fans. Read them exclusively at The Athletic ⤵️

http://dlvr.it/TNhSW5
October 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theolloydhughes.bsky.social
🌎 Happy Hispanic heritage month — this week’s Full Time proper especial sees the brilliant @melanieanzidei.bsky.social sit down with Rocky Rodriguez, Aisha Solorzano + Reyna Reyes to talk culture, footy and family! #NWSL

🇨🇷 🇬🇹 🇲🇽 Listen now ⤵️
podfollow.com/full-time-wi...
Full Time: A show about women's soccer: Exploring Hispanic culture and identity with Rocky Rodriguez, Aisha Solorzano & Reyna Reyes
It's Hispanic Heritage Month, and on this week's Full Time podcast, Melanie Anzidei sits down for three special interviews that explore Latin culture and identity in the NWSL.Melanie is first joine...
podfollow.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
charpur.bsky.social
Inside the deal of Alyssa Thompson's move from Angel City to Chelsea.

With @melanieanzidei.bsky.social &@tamerra-griffin.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/662...
Inside Alyssa Thompson’s move to Chelsea: Tearful goodbyes, late nights and customary pizza
The transfer of the USWNT forward from Angel City to Chelsea came together with 30 minutes to spare
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathletic.com
EXCLUSIVE: New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is calling on FIFA to end dynamic pricing on World Cup tickets.

His petition “Game Over Greed” also demands that FIFA reinstates a cap on ticket resales and sets aside 15 percent of tickets for local residents at a discount.
September 10, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The North Carolina Courage have agreed to trade U.S. midfielder Jaedyn Shaw to NJ/NY Gotham FC for a record $1.25 million transfer fee.

This more than doubles the previous intra-league record set last month.

✍️ @melanieanzidei.bsky.social
Courage agree to trade USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw to Gotham FC in record deal
The transfer fee for Shaw would be more than double the previous intra-league record.
www.nytimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathletic.com
NEWS: Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Angel City to sign United States international Alyssa Thompson, sources tell The Athletic.

The Women's Super League club will pay just under £1 million for Thompson, who has already agreed a five-year contract.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
September 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathletic.com
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman threatened to fine the Kansas City Current after a disagreement over extreme heat procedures that delayed a match against Orlando Pride roughly three and a half hours, sources told The Athletic.
August 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theolloydhughes.bsky.social
Full Time pod goes full Concacaf this week, diving into the past, present + future of the W Champions Cup.

Chat with Concacaf general secretary Philippe Moggio, and the crew @jilliansakovits.bsky.social + @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social + @melanieanzidei.bsky.social
podfollow.com/full-time-wi...
Full Time: A show about women's soccer: Crowning the best in the region: Concacaf W Champions Cup explained
On Full Time this week, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Tamerra Griffin and Melanie Anzidei to unpack the Concacaf W Champions Cup, the North and Central American and Caribbean women's club socc...
podfollow.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Orlando Pride are finalising a deal to sign Mexican international Lizbeth Ovalle from Tigres in a deal that would represent a world-record transfer fee in women’s soccer.

More from @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social & @melanieanzidei.bsky.social ⤵️
Orlando Pride finalizing world-record transfer for Mexico’s Lizbeth Ovalle
The Pride, who play in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), is expected to spend $1.5 million in fees to acquire the forward.
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
adamcrafton.bsky.social
NEW: La Liga want to play Villarreal v Barcelona in Miami in December. To be discussed at Spanish FA meeting on Monday. US Soccer will not oppose following settlement with (promoter) Relevent this year.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...
www.nytimes.com
August 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
jeffrueter.bsky.social
NEW: Ally Sentnor is joining the Kansas City Current, sources tell @meganferinga.bsky.social, @meglinehan.com and me. Unclear what Utah Royals are getting in return.

The reigning USWNT Young Player of the Year joins the Shield frontrunner. Get your popcorn ready. www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...
Kansas City Current acquire Ally Sentnor from Utah Royals: Sources
Sentnor's career hit a rapid ascent last summer, playing in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup before making her full USWNT debut in November.
www.nytimes.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The NWSL returns after a month-long pause. But the cramped international calendar raises questions about players’ time off.

Only six days ago, Jess Carter was playing in the Euro 2025 final.

Now she is back with her team.

Are soccer players getting enough rest?

📝 @melanieanzidei.bsky.social
The NWSL is back, six days after the Euros final. Are players getting enough rest?
With more international players in the NWSL, conversations about the soccer calendar are becoming ever more tricky.
www.nytimes.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
roey.bsky.social
Trinity Rodman spoke with press at Spirit training!

Talked about her recovery, said Spirit trusted her a lot in process, & she’s been pain-free for a couple months.

Said she had been “trying to gaslight herself” about the pain but now recognizes the difference.

(Q via @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social)
July 29, 2025 at 5:50 PM
melanieanzidei.bsky.social
the absence of VAR in this group stage has been so apparent and so disappointing
July 26, 2025 at 2:05 AM
melanieanzidei.bsky.social
Brazil’s Lorena is shown a red card for a hand ball outside the box in the 24th minute!

Brazil, who already qualified for semis, are now playing without their starting keeper and with only 10 players against Colombia, a favorite to dethrone the 8-time champions.

What a time. #CopaAmericaFemenina
July 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
paultenorio.bsky.social
NEWS: MLS suspends Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Saturday's match against FC Cincinnati after they skipped All-Star Game, enforcing rule that players must take part.

I spoke with commissioner Don Garber about what he called a "very difficult decision."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Messi, Jordi Alba suspended by MLS for skipping All-Star Game
Both stars skipped MLS's All-Star Game despite being fit to play, and they've been punished in accordance with league rules
www.nytimes.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM
melanieanzidei.bsky.social
Yasmim!!! The 28-year-old has scored a brace for Brazil with two nearly identical left-footed free kicks, 12 minutes apart ⚡️⚡️
July 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathletic.com
It’s been 173 days since the NWSL awarded its 16th expansion club to Denver.

Now that team has its name: Denver Summit FC.

More on the reveal ⤵️

http://dlvr.it/TM3G4P
July 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
theathleticfc.bsky.social
Age is but a number.

Italy relied on a mix of youth and experience to hold off Norway to advance on Wednesday to their first semi-final appearance since 1997.

More from @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social ⬇️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
July 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
charpur.bsky.social
“It’s a strange thing to see a little girl score an overhead kick, let’s say she was already famous back in the day.”

@theathleticfc.bsky.social spoke to Cristiana Girelli and her sister Nicole in 2022.

Read their story here:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/340...
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July 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM