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Dispatch: a series dedicated to immersive storytelling, where our photographers and writers journey to chosen places, combining evocative imagery with long-form editorials to uncover and share unique football cultures.





07

AS A NEW CLUB CLOSES IN, SAN FRANCISCO CITY FC FIGHTS FOR PLACE THE IN COMMUNITY


Kezar Stadium in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has recently been made the grounds for a dispute between USL League Two team San Francisco City FC and Golden City FC, an in-development MLS NEXT Pro team being backed by the Mayor, the city and tech investors. As the new club makes its way into town and treads on SF City’s home stadium, Fay Harvey shines a light on how the community feels and what can be learned from clubs of the past.

Read moreDate: June 2025
FCS-ID: D07/FH10525—1
Fay Harvey

06

UNDER THE RELENTLESS SUN


While Brazil is often celebrated for its footballing legends and global success, a quieter, more enduring story lives on beyond the bright lights. In this piece, photographer and writer Gabriel Borelli journeys into the overlooked corners of São Paulo’s football landscape, where lower-division clubs carry the weight of memory, identity, and local pride.

Read moreDate: April 2025
FCS-ID: D06/GB10425—55
Gabriel Borelli

05

FAITH AND FOOTBALL


Faith and football intersect across continents in Faith and Football: Ramadan Reflections from the World’s Game. Written by Ili Hyseni de Brissac, this piece explores how Muslim footballers balance the demands of the game with their spiritual devotion during Ramadan. Through stories from the UK, the US, and Qatar, it captures how faith quietly fuels dedication, shapes ambition, and strengthens the bond between players and their communities.

Read moreDate: March 2025
FCS-ID: D05/IHdB20325—1
Ili Hyseni de Brissac


04

A LEAGUE WITHOUT LADDERS


In a country where football culture often feels constrained by closed-league structures, Orange County SC stands as both an example of potential and a symbol of limitation. In A League Without Ladders, Marvin Heilbronn explores how the lack of promotion and relegation in the U.S. soccer system stifles club growth and fan engagement. 

Read moreDate: March 2025
FCS-ID: D04/MH10425—1
Marvin Heilbronn

03

BUILDING TRADITIONS WITH COMO WOMEN


When Mercury/13 took over FC Como in March 2024, they set out to reshape the very idea of a women’s football club in Italy. Under the leadership of Victoire Cogevina Reynal, the independent team—free from the shadow of any men’s side—has embraced a bold, entrepreneurial spirit, carving its own path with innovative partnerships, player-focused initiatives, and a fresh narrative that challenges the old norms of the sport. 

Read more
Date: January 2025
FCS-ID: D03/IHdB20125—39
Ili Hyseni de Brissac

02

IN THE PALISADES, FOOTBALL OFFERS A WAY THROUGH THE TRAUMA


Ili Hyseni delves into how football provides solace and strength for Los Angeles communities grappling with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires. In Pacific Palisades, Mele French and the L.A. Bulls unite families through grassroots football, offering a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. 

Read more

Date: January 2025
FCS-ID: D02/IHdB10125—1
Ili Hyseni de Brissac

01

NO VAR LAND 

 
Akis Katsoudas explores Swedish football culture, where fans passionately oppose VAR to preserve the game’s raw emotion. Through democratic ownership, supporters work to keep football grounded in tradition, resisting the push for technological change. This portrayal captures the vibrant atmosphere, from pre-match gatherings to the electrifying energy within stadiums.

Read moreDate: September 2024
FCS-ID: D01/AK10924—46
Akis Katsoudas
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