PSG on the Verge of a Quadruple 🏆

Hail GFOP! 

I type with excited fingers clinging onto the embers of this football summer. We have reached the final countdown, AKA the Club World Cup final. An incredible showcase—Paris Saint-Germain seeking to define themselves in the pantheon of the most dominant club teams of the modern period…and…*checks notes* Chelsea. I will break all of this down below. 🏆

ii. It has been an incredible week, spent in the company of Rory Smith and hundreds of GFOPs savoring live shows at the Michelob Ultra Pitchside Club in Manhattan. I am SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED for tonight. We are shooting our Big Final Preview show, with Clint Dempsey and Jurgen Klinsmann 👀 joining us amongst the guests. To be able to revel in the USMNT golden years of 2014, the days when everything felt possible, will be an incredible balm after this summer of chaos. Come and join us by RSVPing (for free) right here. 🍻

I will say, it has been an utter blast to watch so much magical football this week in the company of you GFOPs live and in the flesh, and to savor these moments together. We don’t take a second of your love for granted. ❤️

iii. Yesterday, we launched our new short series with Keegan-Michael Key and Coca-Cola to mark a year out from WC 2026, celebrating the rollercoaster of emotions and memory making that the tournament is. I adore Keegan and he is PROPER FOOTBALL—watch him re-live Belgium’s greatest ever come-back from 2018. It will make your life feel instantly better… SHA-BLOOP!  🇧🇪⚡️

I will be honest, I was utterly shattered on the day of this shoot, but Keegan’s energy, his storytelling, and the emotional journeys we travelled on together, left me feeling like I could run an ultramarathon. We have a couple of episodes from Mark Goldbridge today, including one recounting that David Beckham red card. England fans, prepare to relive moments of lightness, and dark… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

More: Keegan-Michael Key roots against Maradona for the oddest, and most personal, of reasons… 🇦🇷🤣

iv. There are only a few remaining tickets left for our Everton Live Show extravaganza featuring David Moyes live on stage in New York City on July 25. Grab them here, because this is going to be the happiest night of my year… 💙🍻

v. I am filming with Thierry Henry this morning to preview the Club World Cup final and the year of football to come…Our conversation will drop next Friday. We are living in incredible days, let’s savor each and every one together. 📺

I am off to Portland, Maine at the end of this week. My favorite ritual of the summer. Watch out Rose’s Bagels, gonna eat every last one of your delicious bad boys.

Courage,

ROG

Club World Cup Final, Baby: Chelsea vs. PSG 🏆

The Mauricio Pochettino Memorial Derby (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, DAZN/TBS)

History awaits. PSG are just 90 minutes away from completing one of the most dominant club seasons of all time in which they will have won every single trophy that was available to them. Following on from the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the Coupe de France, the Club World Cup would be a fourth trophy lifted in three months, a 6.6-liter twin-turbo-charged quadruple. Yet it could also be Chelsea who walk away with a startling $136 million in prize money.  

PSG are a creative machine, undoubtedly the world’s top club side, by some gulf. Just over a month ago, they smashed five goals past Inter to storm to Champions League glory. On Wednesday afternoon, they obliterated Real Madrid, making the European game’s long-reigning monarchs look worse than Grok, and even more deliciously, rendering Kylian Mbappé’s revenge fantasies impotent. The football they play is so mesmerizing, in certain moments, it can dizzy and disorient you to the point that, fleetingly, you can be tricked into believing nation state ownership is a good thing. The talk that surrounds them is not just of victory, but of dynasty.

And for Chelsea? Their success in this tournament is a testament to tenacity and the fortune that befell them after losing their second game 3-1 to Flamengo. A defeat which ultimately life-hacked them into the generously weak half of the knockout bracket. It was admittedly magical watching João Pedro, in his first start for Chelsea, blast two stunning strikes against his former side Fluminense, then admit, “I have to stay professional, I play for Chelsea. Chelsea pay me to score goals.”  

Do they stand a chance? After watching PSG go two up inside 10 minutes against Real Madrid, Enzo Maresca will approach this game in full-on “(chuckles) I’m in danger” mode. His team will be boosted by the return of Moisés Caicedo, but as a typically possession-hungry squad, how will they adapt in the face of PSG’s ferocious press? A Chelsea fan at the Michelob Club asked me to tell him something optimistic ahead of the final. I advised him to watch “Star Wars,” and think of João Pedro living out the role of Luke Skywalker firing his proton torpedo down the thermal exhaust port to blow up the Death Star.  

Rogstradamus 🔮: Le Romp. PSG 4-1. Second half will be a dead rubber in the sweltering heat of New Jersey. 🥵

Also: The Club World Cup final will be shown live at more than 20 movie theaters across the United States this Sunday. You have not lived until you’ve seen Cole Palmer’s celly at an iPic. Football on the silver screen in America. What a time to be alive.

Farwell Luka Modrić 🇭🇷👑

A sad coda to PSG’s semi-final was witnessing Luka Modrić substitute in with the game long over, unable to bend it to his will, in his final ever Real Madrid performance. He departs as the club's most decorated player, the winner of 28 major trophies and a Ballon d'Or. A midfielder who looks like a medieval witch but who played the game transcendentally. Watching him set traps and arrange the pieces in front of him to suit his will, is as if the secrets of the sport can be found by studying his decision making closely. His move to Milan will be fascinating to witness, as is the prospect of Christian Pulisic learning at his knee. 

More: Savor Luka. Pure silk in human form.

Let Us Know About Your Love of Football 💙

We want to see the game how you see it: your passion, club, and story. If you could take a minute to share what makes your love for football unique by filling out this short survey, we'd be incredibly grateful. How you watch, who you back, why the game stirs your soul, it all matters. Your answers will help spark smarter, deeper conversations about soccer in the U.S. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE ✏️

John Green Buying into Wimbledon Made Me So Happy 🤩

This is the story of the week for me. You know how much I adore and respect John Green. I love the way he lives his values, and is a gent who is a man of action. I also revere his willingness to put money in a garbage can and set it on fire in the pursuit of the things he loves. Above all, I just feel better about life when I am around him. I also like to text John Green quotes to John Green. In this case, “You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.” — “The Fault in Our Stars”

Calling All Football-Loving Pets 🐶🐱

We have partnered with the two-legged people at Purina to create Pet FC, a new initiative where we will be featuring YOUR four-legged friends that show a true love of football on par with their human counterparts. 

Our first winner is Finley, a Pyrenees Lab mix, submitted by Blake from Austin, TX.

What's the story behind your pet's name? 

I was actually not with my partner when she adopted Finley from a shelter, but early in his tenure with our family, he soon became my son. While my participation in his formal name was lacking, like all good footballers, I've given him a host of nicknames, some footy-inspired. Around the time of the Here We Go-level signing of Finley, it coincided with Leeds United's near-relegation miracle highlighted by Joe Gelhardt and now the Ballon d’Or finalist Raphinha. As Finley and I cheered and clenched on the dramatic final day, Finley soon assumed the pseudonym MaFiña — a Brazilian inspired portmanteau combining his oft used nickname, Mr. Fin, which transpired to Ma-Fin and then found its home as MaFiña.

What is your favorite football memory with Finley? 

Dancing with him on May 22, 2022 when Raphinha contributed a goal and then a mind-bending assist to keep Leeds up on the final day.

What's your favorite story that involves Finley? 

Taking Finley to the Turkey Creek Trail and watching him go full Roy Keane the minute he splashes down into a bit of water. He is the happiest dog and loses his marbles. The baths after though are not the most fun.

Do you have a great football story involving your favorite four-legged friend? Click the link below to submit your pets and pet stories and we will be regularly featuring the best of the best here in the Raven and on our social channels. What's more, we have Purina prize packs for every pet featured.

Submit your Pet FC stories here ♥️

The Women’s Euros 2025 🇪🇺

England vs. Wales (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, FS1) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Six games this weekend to close out the group stage, including a home nations clash between defending champions England and tournament newcomers Wales. After a 2-1 defeat to France that sent the tabloid press into a ~mild panic~, the Lionesses rebounded in their second match, romping 4-0 against an outclassed Dutch team in a Lauren James masterclass. 

England now sit second in Group D and will join Norway and host Switzerland in the quarterfinals with a win. Opponents/fairytale side Wales will need a miracle to progress after losing both of their previous group matches: IF they can beat the English by a four-goal margin AND the French do them a solid against the Netherlands, they could go through to the knockout stage in the country’s first ever showing at a major women’s tournament.

Poland vs. Denmark (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, FS1) 🇵🇱🇩🇰

A sad tussle for pride and third place in Group C as both teams remain winless and pointless at this Euros. Denmark have a stronger side and are ranked much higher, so they’ll be despondent with anything but the dub in Lucerne’s Allmend Stadium. 

Sweden vs. Germany (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, FOX) 🇸🇪🇩🇪

This is a battle between not only two of the best teams at this tournament, but the world, and although each have qualified for the quarter-finals with two wins a piece, top spot should secure an easier route to the final. Germany have won seven games on the bounce and are favorites, but Sweden have Chelsea’s exceptional Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and other world class talent on their roster. 

Netherlands vs. France (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, FS2) 🇳🇱🇫🇷

Both of these sides will assume the other remaining game in Group D between England and Wales will be a win, and therefore qualification for the champions, so this really is a straight face-off for a quarter-final place. France have looked imperious so far in Switzerland, with their win against England turning plenty of heads, and despite the Netherlands being chewed up and spat out by the Lionesses, in Viv Miedema and Jill Roord they possess so much quality through the team’s spine. 

Catch all the Euros Fever over at The Women’s Game… where our team is embracing the wonder of the tournament. First on Good Vibes, Sam Mewis and Lynn Biyendolo discussed the biggest storylines from the tournament so far, including Viv Miedema scoring 100 goals for the Netherlands and Iceland's long throw-in tactics. Then Sam welcomed France international and San Diego Wave forward Delphine Cascarino to chat about France’s bold Euros roster decisions, Delphine's move to the NWSL, and what she misses most from back home. You can find both of those great conversations, and plenty more, on the TWG YouTube channel. 🌞

MiB Mad Libs 📝

This week’s phrase is:

“The Club World Cup has been to elite football tournaments what _____ is to ______ ”

Email me your submissions to be in contention to win a coveted MiB patch.

There were so many incredible entries, but last week’s winner was Allan Quiling: 

My team, Swansea City, need to sign Luka Modric to have a good season because not only could we get promoted with him, but just think of how much we could save on salary since he partly owns the club.

Allan – I love your willingness to dream big dreams, and also, to ignore reality. 

NYC Footy’s Chopped Cheese Classic 🏆

Does anyone else in New York City find a Saturday morning bodega run the most comforting way to recover from a Summer Friday night done right? The team at NYC Footy certainly does, which is why their first annual Chopped Cheese Classic soccer tournament and block party on Saturday, July 12, at McCarren Park is worth scouting out.

Free to attend for all, the Chopped Cheese Classic features staff, owners, and friends representing the city's top bodegas battling it out 6v6-style, with a block party on nearby Richardson Street. Those festivities kick off at noon, immediately following the championship match, and feature a full line up of entertainment, beverages, and, of course, chopped cheese. Get all the deets here.

Not Football and All the Better for It 📖

• Cloning came to polo. Then things got truly uncivilized. Does Ralph know about this?

• Your employed friend on a random Tuesday: Trying to Win at Doing Nothing, With a Crowd Watching.

• BIG fan of Simon Wu: Monks in Jersey.

• "If I catch you looking at another man like that ever again, you'll be watching sports... the whole weekend!" An Oral History of ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’.

• Musings from the second-best Sedaris (apologies to Paul, Gretchen and Lisa): Your Hip Surgery, My Headache.

• Four Keanus, two Kevin Costners, and one Charlie Hunnam slide into a DM... Inside the Billion-Dollar Celebrity Impersonation Bitcoin Scam. 

• This Song Helped me Through the Week… (barely): “You Found Me” by Waxahatchee and Kevin Morby. Holy crap this is beautiful. 

Dear Rog…GFOPs Write ✍️

Sue DiPietro from Baltimore writes: I was thinking about you after reading your Raven article from last week about your dad. I do remember the loss of your father last year, he seemed like such a wonderful dad. I remember your trips to watch his beloved Everton. Plus, my heart is still very heavy remembering my #20 Diogo, his brother, his parents and young family.  

Whenever people mention the anniversary of someone’s death, I am reminded of a conversation I had with my father several years prior to his own death. He would say, “You should celebrate your loved ones on their birthday instead of the day they died—that day is usually not their best.” Sound wisdom I thought that I wanted to pass along to you. Try to celebrate and do something special for your dad’s birthday. He would have liked that—getting everyone together to watch a match.

In an ironic twist of fate my father passed on his birthday. Being a Marylander we always had crabs and beer to celebrate his July 23rd birthday. So I continue the tradition with wonderful memories of a great man.  

Rog writes: Sue – Thank you for this beautiful note, and profound idea. Your dad sounds like an incredible human being. I am still rocked by the loss of Diogo and its unfathomable nature. I did find it meaningful to talk to Rory about it on Monday, and believe that his advice about mourning—so many of us were catapulted into a state of mourning by the news—to be incredibly smart: “Be kind to yourself.”

Keep sending your stories and questions to [email protected].

To Better Days Ahead for All.

Let’s not take a moment watching football together for granted and make great memories.

Big Love.

Courage,
ROG