Sign in

Melanie Anzidei

@melanieanzidei.bsky.social
3.2K followers 291 following 36 posts

Soccer writer for The Athletic 📍NJ

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 10/09/2026
Breaking: Big hire incoming from @bayfc.com with the club in the final stages of adding former Chelsea GM Paul Green as the club’s head of football. News from me @theathletic.com & free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Bay FC close to appointing ex-Chelsea general manager Paul Green as head of football (Gift Article)
Green was a key piece of Chelsea Women’s front office for 13 years alongside former head coach Emma Hayes.
17118
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
andré, but scarier @andre-carlisle.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
jaedyn shaw isn't real
1126047
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
@cloud9goth.bsky.social’s pride match tifo 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
236058
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 30/07/2026
The NWSL is expected to start its 2027 season in February, nearly a month earlier than previous years, per @melanieanzidei.bsky.social and @aslipelit.bsky.social. In the draft schedule, preseason begins in January, with playoffs running through the weekend before Thanksgiving. nyti.ms/44Tiaul
76819
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Orlando Pride @orlpride.com · 28/07/2026
Victory for Zambia 🇿🇲 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 Banda goals lead The Copper Queens to a 6-0 win against Egypt in their first match of WAFCON 2026 💫
19110
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 17/07/2026
There was something about the Wednesday night spent in a baseball stadium that felt perfectly NWSL: incredible and maddening, promising and problematic. Some thoughts (and 📸) from me on embracing the duality of the night at Citi Field. www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
nytimes.com
Gotham FC broke records with the Queens Classic. The next challenge is to make that success last (Gift Article)
A side effect of the NWSL's growth is that not everyone who was there at the start will follow where it goes next.
1759
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 16/07/2026
honestly I am deeply happy the apple happened, as a former attender of mets games.
11009
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Colin Millar @colinmillar.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
August 11, 1979. Pakhtakor -Uzbekistan's greatest ever football team - boarded a flight to Minsk. They never arrived. Tulagan Isakov missed the plane due to an injury. He told me Pakhtakor-79's story, and powerful legacy. @theathleticfc.bsky.social (FREE LINK) www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...
nytimes.com
The tragic story of the plane crash that wiped out Uzbekistan’s greatest team (Gift Article)
In August 1979, Pakhtakor's squad boarded a plane to play Dinamo Minsk in the Soviet Top League. The flight never reached its destination
0149
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Sources (w/ James Horncastle & @paultenorio.bsky.social): Christian Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture of his tibia/fibula in USMNT's loss to Belgium, sidelined for several weeks. More @theathletic.com:
nytimes.com
Christian Pulisic suffered leg microfracture in USMNT loss to Belgium, will miss several weeks (Gift Article)
The USMNT star will be sidelined for several weeks but not months, multiple people briefed on the diagnosis told The Athletic.
1127
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
One day after welcoming Gotham FC to Queens with a press conference at City Hall, the club and NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani have once again partnered to release a limited batch of $15 tickets - this time for the Queens Classic. More in our exclusive story here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
NYC Mayor Mamdani, Gotham FC offer $15 tickets to provide affordable access to Queens Classic
The tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET.
0122
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Monday’s loss was a critical reminder that while it’s nice to aim high and try to touch the moon, as Pochettino likes to say, sometimes it’s just as important to look down and see that your feet are still on earth — and that there’s a lot left to do down here. #USMNT www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
USMNT's 2026 World Cup carried so much promise. It ended like it always does
0325
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The sad and strange story about the fight to sell Maradona’s legacy, featuring broken families, broken businessmen and a man that carries a bag with Diego’s hair The battle raging over Maradona’s ghost: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/w...
nytimes.com
As Messi Dominates the World Cup, a Global War Rages for Maradona’s Ghost
24111
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
It's official. Gotham has announced they will play their home games at Etihad Park in Queens, beginning in 2028. www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
Gotham FC to move to NYCFC’s Etihad Park in Queens in 2028
The MLS stadium is expected to open for NYCFC in 2027 for the MLS' new fall-to-spring calendar.
063
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 07/07/2026
Gotham’s heading to NYC. @melanieanzidei.bsky.social with the story @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
Gotham FC to move to NYCFC's Etihad Park in Queens in 2028
1444
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Tom Bogert @tombogert.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Flo Balogun on the field with his USMNT teammates after the match and shook the hands of all referees. Didn’t linger or seem to protest.
1627917
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
When he buried the penalty that sent Bosnia to the World Cup, he took off his shirt and held up his name. The son of survivors of Srebrenica, the Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarević, who lost several family members in the massacre, will line up against the #USMNT. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...
nytimes.com
Esmir Bajraktarević is U.S.-born, but his Bosnian roots make for a World Cup plot twist
Esmir Bajraktarević was born in Wisconsin, but it's where he's truly from — and what his family overcame — that determined his national team
25916
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Cloud 9 | Gotham FC Supporters @cloud9goth.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
We are forever grateful that Kerr spoke from the heart after that game in 2018. It kicked off storm that eventually lead to real changes for the players and the club. We're so damn happy to have her back!
08318
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Exclusive US Soccer has made Pochettino an offer to extend contract by four years & lead USMNT at 2030 World Cup. Proposal made pre-tournament to signpost interest in keeping Poch. All parties agreed to make final decision after ‘26 WC www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
nytimes.com
Mauricio Pochettino offered contract extension to lead USMNT for second World Cup cycle (Gift Article)
Any decisions will be deferred until after the 2026 tournament, where the USMNT is into the knockout stage.
2359
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Gio Reyna just said his wife, Chloe, is pregnant. Seriously. He'd been waiting for the right moment to announce it, and decided this — a goal in the World Cup opener — was it.
1123117
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
i <3 sports, wow
030
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Exclusive for @theathletic.com: Gotham FC has announced plans for their first-ever training facility in New Jersey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
Gotham FC to construct $35 million training facility, a first for the club: ‘This is absolutely huge’
The NWSL team plans to build a 27,000-square-foot purpose-built center on the former site of the New York Red Bulls training facility
2457
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 02/06/2026
the return of nwsl championship after dark! @aslipelit.bsky.social with the news on where we're heading this fall @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...
nytimes.com
NWSL championship returning to Washington, D.C. in 2026: Sources (Gift Article)
Audi Field last hosted the NWSL Championship in 2022.
310427
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Ricardo Pepi hung up the phone on Gregg Berhalter when he was told he was out of the USMNT's 2022 World Cup squad. This time he received a much happier message. For Pepi, and other 2022 snubs, being picked on this roster offers a sweet taste of redemption. FREE READ: @paultenorio.bsky.social
nyti.ms
For USMNT’s 2022 World Cup squad also-rans, 2026 call means that much more (Gift Article)
Through either snub or injury, five members of the current U.S. World Cup team missed out on Qatar. Their reward was worth the wait
1557
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Exclusive @theathleticfc.bsky.social NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani secures 1,000 World Cup tickets at $50 to be balloted for New Yorkers (the cheapest at the WC) Inside the meeting with Infantino (& Wenger on FaceTime) & how Mamdani negotiated a rare FIFA concession. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
Mayor Mamdani secures $50 World Cup tickets for New Yorkers after negotiations with Infantino
613948
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
News: California's attorney general has written to FIFA re: World Cup ticketing and stadium map changes. Requesting a variety of info from FIFA "to assess whether California law may have been violated." Story @theathletic.com:
nytimes.com
California AG writes to FIFA, will ‘assess potential violations of law’ in World Cup ticket sales (Gift Article)
Complaints alleging misleading ticketing practices have hit the radar of the legal arm of one of the states hosting World Cup games
02612
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
NEW: An NWSL spokesperson said Wednesday the league will continue operating under a spring-to-fall schedule through 2030, after "extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders" and while continuing "the long-term evaluation of our calendar." More: www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...
nytimes.com
2252
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
The president of the Norwegian football association has called for the abolition of the FIFA Peace Prize, which was awarded to U.S. president Donald Trump, and says she supports an ethics complaint against Gianni Infantino, the president of world football’s governing body.
nyti.ms
Abolish FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Donald Trump, says president of Norway’s FA (Gift Article)
Lise Klaveness also said she supported an ethics complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino by a human rights organisation.
591620347
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Guro Reiten has officially made her NWSL debut, starting this afternoon on the left wing for Gotham against Bay FC. I caught up with her while she was still in Norway. She said, “I played with my heart for Chelsea, and I’m gonna play with my heart for Gotham." More: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Guro Reiten interview: Gotham move, Chelsea memories and new perspectives – thanks to motherhood
The star winger is swapping Norway for New Jersey — and can't wait to start helping the NWSL champions find their peak form
0175
Melanie Anzidei @melanieanzidei.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Another Gotham match where my first thought when sitting down in this press box is, “I really need binoculars.” Welp. Happy match day from gloomy Harrison, NJ!
090
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
New Jersey Transit confirmed in a media briefing on Friday that World Cup match goers will be charged $150 for a return rail trip from New York Pennsylvania station to MetLife Stadium this summer. Full story from @adamcrafton.bsky.social here ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4ck3Qj6
7338
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
A lawsuit has been filed against Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association after the Inter Miami star did not feature in a friendly game against Venezuela in the United States in October last year. More from @samjoseph17.bsky.social and @melanieanzidei.bsky.social bit.ly/3OiLRjL
4112
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
New Jersey’s NJ Transit is currently planning to charge more than $100 for return rail tickets from New York’s Pennsylvania Station to MetLife Stadium for FIFA World Cup games. The 18-mile rail journey ordinarily costs $12.90 for a return ticket. 📝 @adamcrafton.bsky.social 🔗 nyti.ms/3QaZJwX
4512790
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
New (seriously): FIFA has now created an extra ticket category to sell "front" row World Cup seats for double the price of Category 1 tickets — which supposedly could’ve yielded “front” row seats when bought months ago. Fans feel deceived. More @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
nytimes.com
FIFA creates new World Cup ticket category, deepening suspicions of deception
Yet another twist in the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticketing saga has soured fans who feel duped about the process
2813151
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 30/03/2026
After five years away, USWNT forward Catarina Macario is returning home, looking to have fun again with the San Diego Wave. @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social spoke to the former Chelsea player about the move and how her new team might just be tailor-made for her as she returns from injury.
1313
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Emily Olsen @emilytholsen.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
The 2026 NWSL season is here! @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social @melanieanzidei.bsky.social @theolloydhughes.bsky.social @aslipelit.bsky.social @jilliansakovits.bsky.social Lia Griffin and Claire Weltz have put in WORK. Here's what you can expect from @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
nytimes.com
What's to expect from The Athletic's NWSL coverage ahead of 2026 regular season
1357
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Jason Anderson @jasondcsoccer.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
González says Claudia Martínez brings "something different" in the final third, noting her positional versatility & the patience the club is taking to develop her. (? from @melanieanzidei.bsky.social)
1235
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Theo Lloyd-Hughes @theolloydhughes.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Tamerra Griffin, Melanie Anzidei and I dropped our takes on the new NWSL kit drop for 2026 here ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
nytimes.com
Reviewing NWSL’s bold new 2026 jerseys: Big swings, city ties, and falling short
The NWSL went for bold looks with 18 new jerseys, so The Athletic went bold with our reviews.
0236
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his UEFA counterpart Aleksander Ceferin have been accused of “aiding war crimes” and “crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territory” in a complaint filed at the International Criminal Court. More from @dansheldon.bsky.social bit.ly/4s0FYG4
78619
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Julian McKenzie @jkamckenzie.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Laila Edwards made history as the first Black woman to represent the USA at the Olympics. She assists on the tying goal from Hilary Knight to send this game to overtime. Now, she’s the first Black woman to win an Olympic Gold medal with Team USA’s women’s hockey team.
327473
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 19/02/2026
🥇
9845126
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Ahead of this summer's World Cup, FIFA has consistently claimed that the tournament is "for everyone." But as @melanieanzidei.bsky.social writes from personal experience, immigrant communities across the United States are increasingly feeling shut out of soccer's biggest show.
nytimes.com
FIFA claim of a ‘World Cup for everyone’ doesn’t align with immigrant soccer fans, like me
The melting pot I grew up in had one constant: soccer was the thread that weaved so many of us together.
24612
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Paul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Took on the impossible task with Avi Creditor of ranking the 30 MLS Cup champions. Who took No. 1? Read (and then yell at us): www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
nytimes.com
Ranking the 30 MLS Cup winners: How does Messi’s Inter Miami stack up?
Before MLS kicks off season No. 31, we look back at three decades of champions and rank them all with their place in league history
0163
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 13/02/2026
Bringing this kit to life spanned a two-year process with Nike. @melanieanzidei.bsky.social on how it came to be: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
nytimes.com
First look: Boston unveils inaugural ‘First Light’ primary uniforms ahead of 2026 NWSL season
The expansion team will kick off its 2026 NWSL season March 14 at Gillette Stadium.
2121
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 12/02/2026
From @theathletic.com: World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach is ending her 20-year association with the agency led by Casey Wasserman, after the Epstein files documented the founder's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. nyti.ms/3Manl3k
Abby Wambach in 2015 in a white soccer jersey. Text reads: Abby Wambach Leaves Wasserman Agency Over Founder's Ties to Epstein
411220
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Tom Bogert @tombogert.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
🇨🇴💣 BREAKING: Minnesota United is in talks for a shock blockbuster move to sign Colombian star James Rodriguez, per sources. Would easily be biggest star to play for Loons. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
nytimes.com
James Rodriguez, Minnesota United in talks over shocking deal: Sources
The Colombian star is a free agent after leaving Club León in Mexico
1314922
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 31/01/2026
Read more from @melanieanzidei.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
nytimes.com
Triple Espresso returns: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Mal Swanson reunite ahead of NWSL comebacks
Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson hope to join Trinity Rodman back on the U.S. team this year.
1273
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 31/01/2026
"Triple Espresso" won the hearts of America during the 2024 Paris Games. Injuries and pregnancy put a pause on the trio, but now Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson and Mal Swanson are reunited for the first time in nearly 600 days.
19611
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 30/01/2026
BREAKING NEWS: Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein connected New York Giants chairman and co-owner Steve Tisch with multiple women, according to newly released emails.
1181541589
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
Meg Linehan @meglinehan.com · 24/01/2026
Big shout to @melanieanzidei.bsky.social (& @emilytholsen.bsky.social of course) for picking up what I had left before parental leave on the signing saga of the decade 🫡
0352
Reposted by Melanie Anzidei
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 24/01/2026
Trinity Rodman has finally signed a record contract with the Washington Spirit worth more than $2 million annually. Her signature is not the end, but an inflection point that will impact women’s soccer globally. ✍️ @melanieanzidei.bsky.social, @meglinehan.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
3969