Alexander Abnos

Alexander Abnos

@anabnos.com

⚽️ for @us.theguardian.com / 🥁 for Secret Cities and myself / Signal: anabnos.11 / “There is still everything to play for, and forever to play it in.”

6.5K followers796 following1.9K posts

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: Some broader takeaways from the final voting for the men's Ballon d'Or, as Harry Kane continues to fumble with his jacket. On a boost for Bayern and the Bundesliga, the World Cup's waning influence in this pageant, and individual brilliance above all: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comTeam success, the ‘Bundesliga tax’ and the World Cup: three takeaways from the 2026 Ballon d’OrThere was plenty to learn from this year’s ceremony in London as Harry Kane took home the top honor
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

My Instagram feed is now absolutely teeming with AI-generated photos and videos of Harry Kane in a tux holding the Ballon d'Or talking to a young Harry Kane looking glum and holding a ratty ball in a muddy kit. So many different versions of the same idea. How does one compete with this.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Joan Laporta answered a question about the importance of winning the women's Champions League with an answer about wanting to win the men's Champions League and La Liga...while accepting the award for best women's club.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Ariaga Ariaga II Bariaga Aruglia Pisotta

John Muller@johnspacemuller.com

Best players to have never won the Ballon d'Or: Thierry Henry Dennis Bergkamp Paolo Maldini Andres Iniesta Neymar Mohamed Salah James Joyce Jorge Luis Borges Vladimir Nabokov Stanley Kubrick Orson Welles

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

“He’s forfeited his right to exactitude.”

Meredith Shiner@meredithshiner.com

This is why JR Moehringer’s profile of Alex Rodriguez is journalism canon to me. He got unfettered access to A-Rod but refused to quote him in any way because he was a known liar. I’ve always wished political journalists would apply this thinking but they would never. www.espn.com/espn/feature...

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Prediction: This is going to be every bit as much of an away game for the US as Mexico in somewhere like Arizona or California. And it's going to be awesome.

Jeff Rueter@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: Concacaf announced that it had approved Haiti’s request to relocate their Nations League quarter-final leg against the US on 14 November from Kingston, Jamaica, to Miami in an “exceptional hosting arrangement”. Haiti last played at home in July 2021. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comHaiti move Nations League home clash with USA to Miami amid gang violence crisisUnable to play on home soil amid a worsening security crisis, Haiti will host the US in Miami, where a large Haitian community promises a warm welcome

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: The US Open Cup is back in familiar territory, with St. Louis City outlasting Columbus to give the city its 11th title as its seventh champion. Scruffy play in a scoreless 120’, with Daniel Edelman and Ben Lundt the shootout heroes. Yoann Damet laughs last: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comHistory comes home as St Louis City top Columbus Crew to win US Open CupSubstitute goalkeeper Ben Lundt made a key shootout save to help secure St Louis City’s first-ever title.

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: Gio Reyna has changed his stars since joining Strasbourg, thus far leaving those pesky injury bugs in Germany. Starting for his club and the US with regularity. Opening the scoring against PSG. At last, Reyna is building momentum. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comAt Strasbourg, Gio Reyna is starting to gain what had been elusive: momentumA goal against PSG is proof on the scoresheet of what can be seen on the teamsheet: at long last, Reyna is getting consistent minutes
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

You Can See Everything might be the best example in my lifetime of why it rules to see movies in the theater. Everyone in my showing was in conversation with the strangers next to them on the way out. Everyone was excited and happy to meet the people they had shared that experience with. Hell yeah.

Alexander Abnos reposted

Lex McMenamin (they/them)
@lexmcmenamin.com

did your brain melt this summer as Fox News ran 8+ hours of Sophie Cunningham/TERF coverage? to you I present the many trans fans, affirming parents of trans kids, and WNBA players who are pro-Black, pro-trans, pro-woman. “The majority of the fanbase is standing up saying: ‘No, this isn’t right.’”

theguardian.comThe right is pushing its anti-trans fury on the WNBA. Players and fans are loudly pushing backAs the WNBA finals kick off Saturday in San Francisco, the pro-LGBTQ+ sports fanbase push a message of inclusion in the face of anti-trans attacks

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: in today’s @us.theguardian.com Soccer Desk newsletter, I introduce you to Feyenoord’s brilliant late-blooming midfielder, Gjivai Zechiël, whose Champions League worldie is the latest milestone for the 22-year-old. Sign up at the top of the post! www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comMeet Gjivai Zechiël, Feyenoord’s up-and-coming midfield maestroZechiël’s superb Champions League goal is the latest highlight amid a rapid rise for club and country

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: Spain controlled their friendlies against the United States, who are in a third year of experimental assessment. Emma Hayes' side looked disjointed, and it's no wonder: in their last 27 games, the USWNT has started *17* midfield combinations. Ready or not? www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comAfter struggles v Spain, the USWNT’s midfield puzzle won’t be easily solvedThe lack of cohesion in the center of the park is evident for the US, with Emma Hayes continuing to try different combinations
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Simone Zaza eat your heart out

SickosFC@sickosfc.bsky.social

You’ve seen stutter step penalties but how about this stutter walk penalty in the Caribbean Cup semifinal?

View full thread
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

So as it stands now, MLS is saying that if a fan is ejected from an MLS game due to wearing, say, an anti-ICE shirt, or a MAGA hat, that ejection will never be due to the MLS policy, which solely governs signage and other such things. More likely, it'll be via the stadium policy, or something else.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

You may be reading this asking: How am I supposed to know which policy is relevant, or how it's enforced, or how to describe it, if the policies are worded identically, and there is not further public clarification from the clubs and/or league? I'm honestly not sure. But there you have it.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

So why insist on using one & not the other? In explaining the difference, an MLS spokesperson told me that MLS policy does not govern articles of clothing, and that this is understood by clubs although it is not contained in the policy's wording. Stadium policies, though, may be enforced as written.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

again! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comI hate golf | Adrian ChilesI’ve been trying to quit the game for years, writes Adrian Chiles. Just when I thought I was out, it pulled me back in …
Alexander Abnos@anabnos.com

There is nobody out there operating at his level www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comMy latest discovery? You can eat the skin of a kiwifruit – and the benefits are myriad | Adrian ChilesIt turns out all that time spent peeling and paring was entirely wasted, writes Adrian Chiles. Now I’m gobbling them like apples and putting the extra fibre to good use
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

And we ain’t talking about burgers and brats on a badly maintained propane!

Guardian Sport@sport.theguardian.com

Gianni Infantino faces grilling at potentially ‘explosive’ Fifa council meeting

dlvr.itGianni Infantino faces grilling at potentially ‘explosive’ Fifa council meeting* World Cup sell-off, Balogun and peace prize on agenda * Opponents will press home need for independent review Gianni Infantino will be grilled by Fifa council members over his involvement in the aborted World Cup sell-off plan, the Folarin Balogun affair and the decision to award Donald Trump the inaugural Fifa peace prize at what is expected to be a heated meeting at the world governing body’s headquarters on Thursday. The Fifa president rejected repeated calls for an extraordinary general meeting of council during the summer after the emergence of the controversial Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposals, but will meet his critics for the first time since in Zurich with one attender predicting that the talks could be “explosive”. Continue reading...
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Spain's ability to maintain the same efficient and effective style of play, regardless of who is on the field, regardless of if we're talking about the men's or women's team, is truly remarkable. If big players are out the ceiling might drop a little but the floor stays so high. Solid foundations.

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: Christian Pulisic exited Milan’s draw at Sassuolo early - not for injury, but for a more dangerous young alternative. The 28-year-old holds new status for club and country these days: a key veteran, not a focal point. His pressure-cooker career may benefit. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comChristian Pulisic is no longer a focal point for the US or Milan – and that’s OKThe winger is 28, and younger teammates are rising into the high-pressure spots he has usually occupied
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

“Asked where he would live, James answered: ‘Both. Multiple residences.’ That apparently means commuting from New York in a Fanatics-branded helicopter that gets roughly 1.6 miles to the gallon.” Great piece from the weekend @bryanagraham.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/o...

theguardian.comLeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can’t stand | Bryan Armen GrahamThe city has embraced its new superstar with open arms, even as he choppers in from Manhattan and makes no secret of the fact that Philadelphia was never his first choice
Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

Turns out that wanton violation of several financial regulations allows you to build a very good team with a lot of amazing players. Film at 11.

Alexander Abnos
@anabnos.com

The one thing I will really miss about MLS's current schedule is the feeling that games start to really matter as things get colder. I think NFL & MLB have both proven that big games feel bigger when it's chilly and dark.

Alexander Abnos reposted

Abigail Segel
@abigailsegel.bsky.social

Ashley Sanchez is appearing in her first USWNT match since 2024. Of the possibility, she told me: “I think a lot of people, and maybe even myself, kind of counted me out. I think it would just be a testament to going through a little bit of a tough time and still being able to find your way back."

theguardian.com‘A lot of people counted me out’: Ashley Sanchez on goal records, grit and potential USWNT returnAfter playing zero minutes at the 2023 World Cup, Sanchez embraced a new club and a new position. Now she’s making NWSL history in North Carolina

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: “You have to be uncomfortable to get to the highest levels." Zavier Gozo caught up with @us.theguardian.com after his US debut, reflecting on being an eight-figure signing after his homegrown start, why Crystal Palace turned his head, and how he's adapting. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comZavier Gozo: ‘You have to be uncomfortable to get to the highest levels’Crystal Palace’s American import had never lived anywhere but Utah before moving to London. Now, he’s aiming for more Premier League minutes

Alexander Abnos reposted

Matthew Doyle
@mattdoyle.bsky.social

Never fear, MLS academies will save them.

Alexander Abnos@anabnos.com

Defeats become doubts. Doubts become crises. A crisis requires someone to blame. And Mexican football starts its cycle all over again. Great stuff from Raul Vilchis on El Tri 🇲🇽 www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.com‘¡Qué Horror!’: Mexico’s World Cup honeymoon is over but is Rafa Márquez really to blame?A series of dispiriting friendly results have El Tri reeling. But the problems run much deeper than the team’s new coach

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: A young US team went four-for-four this fall, with fresh faces making their cases to crack the established core. Plenty of winners, with some losers looking over their shoulders in absentia. Breaking it down with @mlsist.bsky.social on @us.theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comTeen brilliance to Pochettino’s haters: Winners and losers from the USMNT’s perfect windowThe United States winning four of four benefits many that were involved, and may hurt those who were left behind

Alexander Abnos reposted

Jeff Rueter
@jeffrueter.bsky.social

NEW: The United States and Canada closed the window with an ode to Joseph Hudson, giving the referee's whistle a busy shift. Justin Ellis scored the lone goal in a scrappy reunion between Concacaf rivals. Pochettino's second cycle opens with four wins from four. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

theguardian.comJustin Ellis helps US cap a perfect international window with 1-0 win over CanadaA chippy and at times ugly friendly nonetheless gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side four wins out of four, with another young player making the difference.