Headlines: USSF VP Critical of FIFA 'Faustian Bargain' with Trump Administration

The Guardian:

All of FIFA's members have a duty to protect the integrity of the sport and save FIFA from itself, even at the risk of retaliation. In the short term, I hope federations around the world find the courage to oppose [Gianni] Infantino's vision for the sport; in the long term, I urge them to pursue structural governance reforms that take power away from the role of the FIFA president and shift it toward the Council, the Congress, and the Secretary General, so that no single individual can ever act unilaterally to soccer's detriment again. Perhaps then the greatest legacy of this World Cup will be that it spurred us to speak up for and defend the values that make soccer the people's game.

Maine Bet: Monday, July 20 (Day No. 17)

                 

(This series will feature a daily Win wager on a pacer or trotter racing at a Maine track and/or owned by Maine connections.)

Plainridge Park (Plainville, MA)

Race No. 4 (5p)

#4: Captain Caveman (2-1 ML)

Total Hit Rate: 25% (4/16)

Total Bankroll: $118.90 (+18.9%)

40/40 Bankroll: Monday, July 20 (Day No. 39)

                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This series will feature a $1 Double and a $1, 2-leg parlay wagers in horse racing and soccer respectively over a 40-day period.)

*Soccer*

Men's Superretten (Sweden)

Game No. 1 (1p)

Norrby IF (-105)

Men's Besta Deild (Iceland)

Game No. 2 (3:15p)

Breidablik (+120)

Soccer Hit Rate: 64% (42/66)

Soccer Bankroll: $39.16 (-2.1%)

*Horse Racing*

Plainridge Park

Race No. 3 (4:40p)

#1: Judge Me Again (7-1 ML)

Race No. 4 (5p)

#4: Captain Caveman (2-1 ML)

Horse Racing Hit Rate: 22% (14/63)

Horse Racing Bankroll: $20.79 (-48.0%)

*Total*

Total Hit Rate: 43% (56/129)

Total Bankroll: $59.95 (-25.0%)

IPS 365: Sunday, July 19 (Day No. 211)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This is a day-to-day look at being the founder and managing partner of the Ivory Pine Syndicate, a Maine-based horse racing partnership.)

• Handicapped races at Bangor Raceway and Saratoga Race Course
• Handicapped races at Plainridge Park
• Watched races at Plainridge Park
• Updated and posted Ivory Pine Index selections for Plainridge Park
• Listened to races at Plainridge Park

RSC 365: Sunday, July 19 (Day No. 412)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(A day-to-day look at being the chairman and a co-owner of the Rosevelt Soccer Club, a soccer club based in Gorham, Maine.)

• Handicapped soccer games
• Prepared for RSC Facilities Committee + RSC Committee meeting
• Scheduled 23U game day post
• Hosted RSC Facilities Committee + RSC Committee meeting
• Texted with a coach about a variety of topics
• Prepared 23U game logistics
• Talked with a coach about 2026-2027 rosters
• Attended 23U game
• Listened to Planet Money podcast
• Listened to Call It What You Want podcast

 

Countdown: Monday, July 20, 2026

 

Tally: Sunday, July 19, 2026