Jeff Rueter

Happy NWSL opening day to all who celebrate! We've got some good stuff up at the Guardian to get ready for the season. First up: @jeffrueter's strong read on the HIP rule and how it impacted this offseason, beyond just one marquee FA signing: theguardian.com/football/2026/…

NEW: The #NWSL hatched the “HIP rule” as a way for clubs to spend above the cap. It’s immediately associated with Trinity Rodman, but all 16 clubs stand to benefit. Spoke with Stephanie Lee, Yael Averbuch West, and Kay Cossington MBE about the mechanism: theguardian.com/football/2026/…

A recent piece from @jeffrueter in The Guardian lays bare the structural issues around the USL model. No revenue sharing. Rising costs. Players left carrying the risk when instability hits. If the game is going to grow, the standards have to grow with it. #StandUpForStandards

This is an unsurprisingly excellent look at the USL at large from Jeff, who's been in the trenches covering lower-league soccer for a decade now. Well worth a read.

NEW: The #USL has enjoyed a decade of dominating the lower league landscape. Since 2015, 20 of its independent clubs have folded - the latest just two weeks before the 2026 season. Is the USL’s structure built to handle even more jeopardy with pro/rel? theguardian.com/football/2026/…

REPORT: On Wednesday, the USL emailed all Championship players with information on procedures for crossing a potential picket line and resigning their union membership, sources have confirmed to The Guardian. Details, including the attached "FAQs" pdf: theguardian.com/football/2026/…

@ClaretCobalt @chriskamrani @joeclowery Means the world 🫶

Gotta be @chriskamrani, @jeffrueter and @joeclowery off top of head

@Ankaman616 @stadio Ah, legend. I'll fill in my own vintage goal calls as interludes to round out the experience. 🇧🇷🇧🇷 Miss ya, Carl! Hope all's well.

@jeffrueter @stadio Spotify link open.spotify.com/playlist/2lZGy… Never let me down! 🫡

Time to write. @stadio Session number 4 - Brazil on the playlist again.

A Saturday and a state killing: soccer as Minnesota is torn apart by @jeffrueter theguardian.com/football/2026/…

Some personal news: I’ve joined The @guardian as a soccer correspondent! Thrilled to join a newsroom I’ve long admired from afar. Still proudly based in Saint Paul, MN. Still covering the sport from all angles, on-field and off. Truly a dream job: theguardian.com/football/2026/…

Incredible and inevitable— Police chief says ICE agents violated his own officers' civil rights while off-duty. A female officer was boxed in by ICE agents who demanded her papers, pulled their guns on her, and knocked her phone down as she tried to film.

NEW: The 2026 #FIFAWorldCup was priced beyond many fans' budgets. Comparing ticket prices dating back to 1994 shows the scale of next summer's mark-up, and where the steepest hikes were felt. With Andrew Witherspoon, for @GuardianUS: theguardian.com/football/2025/…

Had a ton of fun kicking off the MLS offseason with @jeffrueter on the @TotalSoccerShow earlier today. ✍️ Playing free agency matchmaker with Benteke, Espinoza 👀 Best coaching job still available 🆕 New eras for Columbus Crew, LAFC youtube.com/watch?v=IMgGiI…

🏆 Inter Miami win MLS Cup! 🌴 How did Messi and co. get the job done? 🔜 What's next for Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps? Our MLS Cup review show with @jeffrueter, @joeclowery & Taylor is out now 👇 open.spotify.com/episode/75ohSZ…

NEW: "Underdog, my ass" wasn't just a catchy motto. It was a reminder that 18 months ago, Gotham FC was built to become a dynasty. Those plans are on track after Saturday's 1-0 win over Washington, with Rose Lavelle making the difference. For @GuardianUS: theguardian.com/football/2025/…

NEW: #MLS will become a summer-to-spring circuit beginning in 2027. It's the latest change as it aims to regularly "double" its fanbase...although the latest switch risks polarizing the league's longtime diehard supporters. Free to read: jeffrueter.substack.com/p/mls-has-enac…

NEW: North Carolina FC became a model of mid-market operation in the U.S. lower divisions. On Tuesday, they joined a lengthy list of former clubs. On the former Carolina RailHawks, and questions about the USL's plan to add more jeopardy to its ecosystem. jeffrueter.substack.com/p/so-long-swee…

SCOOP: @NWSL earlier this year retained @HoganLovells for "government relations advice" from former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, per Congressional lobbying disclosure filings. The league has paid the global law firm $130K since May. Story for @Sportico 👇 sportico.com/leagues/soccer…

NEW: Five Asides - a compilation of posts covering… - What I have(n’t) learned in USWNT’s experimental 2025 - Another reflection from Reyna - The NWSL’s latest test - An MLS original shuffles the deck - Football Manager 26’s first look Read for free! open.substack.com/pub/jeffrueter…