…You already know that Jay Caspian Kang is one of my favorite living American sportswriters. And this piece for The New Yorker, on the way USMNT fandom has shapeshifted over the last decade, might leave you feeling hopeful after a grim start to your week.
Lee Glandorf of The Sweat Lookbook Substack is doing great work in the tennis fashion and culture space. Her ranking of Wimbledon’s tennis whites is proof. Amazing how clean everyone keeps their looks — everything white I own ends up with a tomato sauce stain on it.
Gotham FC announced they’ll be moving from Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, to Etihad Park in Queens. Huge W for New Yorkers (sorry, Jersey) but an L for the team, because moving is just the worst. Hopefully none of their hardware breaks!
Amanda Anisimova’s pre-Wimbledon cocktail party with TikTok? Cara Delevigne, Romeo Beckham, Paris Hilton and others at a pre-World Cup party in the hills? Jannik Sinner and Gucci’s Wimbledon celebration? It seems like everyone else is always up to something cool and I’m never invited. Oh well, probably nothing to do with my personality or general vibe.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne details the moments leading up to LeBron’s breakup with the Lakers. And how Rich Paul had to take the call from Wimbledon. It’s a long-y but it’s a good-y.
Forward this to a World Cup watcher who can’t make up their mind.
…we’d love to watch some tennis wiv ya, mate.
We’re partnering up with Mejuri for a special watch party during the women's Wimbledon Single Final.
WHERE: The White Horse
WHEN: 3pm (BST); July 11, 2026
Mejuri and OffBall want to celebrate everyone from diehards to new fans who have discovered a renewed sense of fandom and love sports. Come for the match, stay for the cocktails, Mejuri giveaways, and much more!
“Go Off” is a special edition of our daily newsletter, featuring my thoughts, takes, and general vibes, presented to OffBall readers every Wednesday.
Because I’m choosing to pretend the USMNT-Belgium game didn’t happen (it really didn’t, I’m telling you), I will not be addressing it at all. Today’s “Go Off” is just an excuse for me to talk about a few soccer players and storylines that I’ve been loving.
I wanted Egypt to advance, but Messi et al. were too much for them yesterday. But at least they (defenders Ahmed Fatouh, Ramy Rabia, and Hossam Abdelmaguid) proved the haters wrong (their own friends and family) by making it past the group stage. I would have picked those fellas for being such good actors (I think).
Anyway, onto the remaining players, offered in descending order of most buzzy.
5. Ismael Saibari, Morocco. As far as I can tell most everyone on Morocco is cool. The team made history in this World Cup when they fielded a crew of 11 foreign-born players. Something we’ve never seen before. And they made history in my house because I’ve watched their cellies a record number of times. Ismael Saibari, their leading scorer, has rizz for days. Where can I get this coat?
4. Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina. How many guys can say they’re besties with Messi? Rodrigo De Paul can. How many guys can say whatever he’s saying here while looking that cool? Rodrigo De Paul can. How many guys can say their girlfriend is a pop sensation? Rodrigo De Paul can.
3. Bradley Barcola, France. He’s the fastest person I’ve ever seen, I swear. Swag takes a new name in Bradley Barcola. Just ask Esquire. He’s a gamer. Just ask EA. He’s got acting chops. Just ask Adidas. Every brand deal he does automatically becomes 10x cooler. And he does the best dance cellies.
2. Djed Spence (honorable mention Jude Bellingham). People will scoff at this because the entire world has fallen in love with the redcoats’ Jude Bellingham this tournament, because he’s easy on the eyes and tough on the pitch. And that’s fair, even England’s biggest haters crumble when he graces their TVs, but I’ve got my eye on Djed Spence (even if he doesn’t play enough for my liking). His swag is underrated, his hair color is perfect, he’s got an equally hot girlfriend, he can fight, and he makes his various braces look like intentional accessories. He also isn’t afraid to call out his rivals on IG. Proper good player, mate.
1. Erling Haaland. There could be no other. It was no contest for the world’s favorite gigantic blonde viking, who spends time in between games commenting on random people’s IG videos to declare them his doppelganger. It might be debatable whether he’s the best player in the world, but he’s certainly the best poster in the world. Without even trying. And take it from the Norse’s mouth: He’s really good at scoring goals.
If you are a ball knower, you know Kyle Lowry. He’s the Greatest Raptor Of All Time, and you probably first fell in love with his unmatched ability to take a charge. His heart is as big as his butt (don’t shoot the messenger).
He signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors Tuesday so he could retire on his beloved team, and the vibes were high. Speaking of returning home, new (and old) Raptor Kawhi Leonard was back, and Kyle joked about unretiring to play with him. Kyle’s number will retire with him, by the way.
He FaceTimed Vince Carter mid-presser.
And saw his mark on the next generation of fans in real time.
But it isn’t goodbye to Toronto, just see you later. At Tempo games, that is, now that he’s part owner.
Surprisingly there was no mention of his large backside on his last day, which become just as legendary to the internet as the man himself.
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