Human Interest

This Product Designer Turned Making Soccer Balls Into An Art Form

Count Jon-Paul Wheatley among the thousands of us who tried his hand at a new hobby during the Covid-19 pandemic. He’s just been a little more successful at it than the rest of us. Making good on a background in physical product design, Wheatley bought a set of leather-working tools and set out to make a soccer ball. Now, videos of his creations garner millions of views on TikTok.

Watch: Sacha Kljestan Gave Emotional Gun Violence Press Conference After Galaxy’s July 4 Game

LA Galaxy and former USMNT midfielder Sacha Kljestan gave an emotional press conference on Monday after his team’s 4-0 victory against Montreal on Monday. Kljestan wasn’t in the mood to talk about the game and instead spoke on the tragic shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, which killed seven people and injured dozens.

Kljestan made it clear that he wasn’t talking as a politician but as a human being and a father. He wouldn’t stay to answer questions after talking for roughly two minutes.

Serie A Makes History And Appoints League's First Ever Female Referee

Italy's Serie A has appointed Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi for the 2022-23 season as its first female referee.

The 31-year-old Ferrieri Caputi became the first female to referee a match involving a Serie A team last year — Cagliari’s Italian Cup clash with Cittadella.

She will now referee a top-flight match for the first time next term after joining the league's officiating team on Friday.

Megan Rapinoe Will Become First Soccer Player In History To Be Awarded Presidential Medal Of Freedom

History was made on Friday when U.S. Soccer announced USWNT star Megan Rapinoe will become the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. U.S. President Joe Biden will award Rapinoe, along with 16 other recipients including gymnast Simone Biles, the medal on July 7 at the White House.

Carson Pickett Starts And Makes History As First USWNT Player With A Limb Difference

Carson Pickett made history on Tuesday during the USWNT’s 2-0 friendly victory against Colombia as the first player with a limb difference to play for the national team. Pickett is a fullback and had a quality 90 minutes against Colombia playing at left back.

Will USWNT Ever Come Back To Play In A State Like Utah?

On Tuesday, June 28, the U.S. women’s national team hosted Colombia in a friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. It might be the last time the USWNT plays a match in a state like Utah. 

First American Professional Soccer Player With Public Case Of CTE Identified

For years Americans have attempted to come to grips with the fact the nation’s most popular sport, football, causes severe head injuries resulting in chronic traumatic encephalopathy with lasting impacts on both physical and mental health, often leading to premature death. For the first time, doctors have diagnosed an American professional soccer player with CTE. 

Former Marine, NWSL GK Was To Grand Marshal July 4 Parade; Then Came Threats Of Violence

Haley Carter is a former Marine, former Houston Dash goalkeeper and former assistant coach for the Afghanistan women’s national team. She’s an attorney with degrees from the Naval Academy, University of Liverpool and University of Houston’s law school. The lifetime Girl Scout has received many military medals after serving two tours in Iraq and started a program with the Dash to honor female veterans and servicemembers. She’s a mother.

According to one failed politician, however, Haley Carter has no right to be the Grand Marshal of a local Independence Day parade.

Best Quotes From Megan Rapinoe’s Emotional Speech To Media On Friday Over Roe v Wade Decision

The USWNT plays Colombia in a friendly on Saturday and spoke to the media Friday ahead of the game. Originally only head coach Vlatko Andonovski and Lindsey Horan were supposed to be interviewed, but Megan Rapinoe took center stage. The Megan Rapinoe Roe v Wade speech to the media on Friday was emotional.

Even If You Hate Her, You Might Agree With Rapinoe’s Comments On Trans Inclusion In Sports

Across the United States, trans inclusion in sports has been a major topic of discussion. As of May 2022, 18 states had either enacted laws or issued rules limiting or outright banning transgender athletes from participating in youth sports such as soccer. Even if you hate her politics, you might actually agree with how Megan Rapinoe feels about transgender athletes. 

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