Where to find SB Nation’s MLS blogs now

The recent decision by Vox Media and SB Nation to pull the plug on most of SB Nation’s MLS blogs dedicated to local soccer teams looked like a major setback for American soccer coverage. The January announcement was an unexpected blow to the many people who have invested lots of time, energy, and effort into covering their local MLS clubs, often in exchange for little to no pay.

The news resonated across the sports media landscape, with many worried that a decision made in service of Vox Media’s corporate cost-cutting might signal the end of the line for some long-running websites that have provided daily reporting on MLS and American soccer at large. SB Nation’s MLS blogs were vital, largely fan-led outlets that were committed to doing something very few media organizations in America are willing to attempt: They published engaging content on the regular about MLS.

As the dust settles following this seismic disruption to the soccer media landscape, we have some good news to report. Most of the MLS blogs that lost support from SB Nation are continuing on independently. What appeared at first to be a death knell has instead become a fresh start for many of these now ex-SB Nation sites. Some have kept their names, while others have new identities — and moved to new URLs or publishing platforms. The more important fact is that these sites and their coverage will live on.

Hudson River Blue is one of these aforementioned ex-SB Nation sites that’s now in its infancy as an independent entity. We entered a brave new world, but we aren’t alone. As Hudson River Blue’s many ex-SB Nation blog compatriots settle into the independent life, it feels like a good time to put together a round-up of where to find the blogs (and in some cases podcasts) still dedicated to providing regular coverage of every MLS club.

Note that this post is mainly focused on updating you on the whereabouts of the MLS blogs that previously operated under the SB Nation umbrella: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of the absolute best sources of coverage for each MLS team, merely a rundown of new and old sites (or pods) to turn to when you’re looking for non-NYCFC news and analysis. And note that not every former SB Nation blog is carrying on: Sadly, our New Jersey frenemies at Once a Metro have gone gently into that good night. Also, not all clubs had a dedicated SB Nation blog: I did my best to include links to sites or podcasts focused on those teams.

Now, on to the MLS content round-up.

Atlanta United – Dirty South Soccer
One of two MLS sites that SB Nation decided to continue to support financially, so no big changes to the premier source of coverage of the Five Stripes. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Austin FC – Capital City Soccer
The Verde crew are still new to MLS and thus have never had a blog affiliated with SB Nation, but Capital City Soccer is the place for coverage of the only professional sports team playing in Texas’s capital city. Give them a follow if you want to keep tabs on former Pigeon Alexander Ring and Brad Stuver. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Charlotte FC – The Charlotte Soccer Show
Another squad that was never represented in the SB Nation blog network, it’s hard to pin down a go-to website that covers the team from the Queen City. Charlotte fans do have the Charlotte Soccer Show, a podcast that provides comprehensive coverage of the still-new MLS side along with USL League One’s Charlotte Independence. Consider giving them a listen as prep before one of NYCFC’s two meetings with Charlotte this season. Follow them on Twitter and subscribe to their show wherever you get your podcasts.

Chicago Fire – The Lantern
SB Nation’s Hot Time In Old Town is now the Lantern, a predominantly Fire-focused newsletter supported by Patreon. They promise the potential for some coverage of the NWSL’s Red Stars, and it’s only a cost of $1, $3, or $5 per month to access all their content and support their continuing coverage of the Windy City’s MLS squad. Follow them on Twitter.

FC Cincinnati – Cincinnati Soccer Talk
No connection to SB Nation, but this podcast and website have been covering FC Cincinnati since the club’s pre-MLS days. The eponymous podcast and other offshoot pods seem to anchor their coverage, but they’ve got a full-fledged digital operation that also provides coverage of MLS NEXT Pro’s FC Cincinnati 2. It’s free to read articles on their site and listen to their podcasts, but you can also support Cincy Soccer Talk through their Patreon. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and all the podcast platforms.

Colorado Rapids – Burgundy Wave
This ex-SB Nation site will eventually live on at its same longstanding URL, but for now, they’ve set up a Patreon ($5 per month) as they prepare to cover the Rapids and the rest of the Rocky Mountain footballing landscape. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Columbus Crew – Massive Report
Same SB Nation name, same blog, new URL: Head to massive-report.com to find in-depth coverage for one of MLS’s original teams. They provide some coverage of Columbus Crew 2 of MLS NEXT Pro, and their site also hosts the Massive Report Podcast. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

FC Dallas – Big D Soccer
FC Dallas’s SB Nation blog has moved over to Substack. You can register for free, but to get access to every you need to subscribe. It costs $5 per month, or for an annual payment of at least $76 you can be a “Founding Member,” a phrase familiar to many NYCFC season ticket holders still waiting on that brick in the Willets Point stadium. Following Big D’s coverage on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

DC United – The District Press
SB Nation’s Black and Red United is now the District Press, an entirely new site that’s focused on covering all the good soccer in the “DMV.” That includes DC United in MLS, Washington Spirit in the NWSL, and Loudon United in the USL Championship. They have a podcast dedicated to the Spirit, and also regularly cover MLS Fantasy, a valuable resource for those who enjoy playing pretend manager every week. Follow them on Twitter, and Instagram.

Houston Dynamo – Bayou City Soccer
From the ashes of SB Nation’s Dynamo Theory rises this new hub for coverage of the teams in Space City, including the Dynamo, NWSL’s Houston Dash, and Houston Dynamo II of MLS NEXT Pro. They also unveiled a new Bayou City Soccer podcast, so be sure to follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Sporting Kansas City – Kansas City Soccer Journal
SB Nation’s Blue Testament is now the Kansas City Soccer Journal, which is part of the Soccer Now network along with SB Nation’s former Philadelphia Union blog Brotherly Game. KC Soccer Journal is a well-rounded outlet covering not just Sporting KC, but also NWSL’s KC Current, Sporting KC 2 of MLS NEXT Pro, and even local indoor soccer team the KC Comets of the Major Arena Soccer League. They’ve got a KC Soccer Journal podcast you can listen to, and are also on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

LAFC – Angels on Parade
This SB Nation blog focused on the reigning MLS Cup champions is set to continue with the same name and URL, though the blog has yet to re-launch as its new post-SB Nation version. While awaiting relaunch you can follow the Parading Angels on Twitter and Facebook.

LA Galaxy – LAG Confidential
LAG Confidential and Angles on Parade shared the same editorial staff under SB Nation, and both will continue to do the same now they’re independent. LAG Confidential will keep the same name and URL after it re-launches. In the interim, follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Inter Miami CF – The Heron Outlet
Inter Miami had no dedicated SB Nation coverage, but they have a solid independent news source over at the Heron Outlet. They are mainly a Substack operation, so you can subscribe for $5 per month or $4.17 per month on an annual commitment. There’s an eponymous Heron Outlet podcast you can listen to for no cost, and you can also follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Minnesota United – Northland Soccer Journal
What was E Pluribus Loonum at SB Nation is now the Northland Soccer Journal, a new independent site all about Minnesota United and its MNUFC 2 team in MLS NEXT Pro. They have a Patreon set up to help support their coverage, and ask for $5 per month. You can find them on Twitter.

CF Montreal – Mount Royal Soccer
The SB Nation blog kept its name and moved its coverage over to Substack. You can subscribe for free to keep up with the artists formerly known as the Impact, or you can spend $5 per month to get access to everything the Mount Royal folks will be producing. They’re not quite up-and-running as of yet, but hopefully more is to come from these Club de Foot chroniclers. Follow them on Twitter.

Nashville SC – Broadway Sports Media
There was never a blog at SB Nation dedicated to covering the men from Music City. Instead, you can get all your Walker Zimmerman man bun updates from the Speedway Soccer coverage led by Ben Wright, which is a part of local Nashville sports media entity Broadway Sports Media. There’s a Speedway Soccer podcast of the same name in addition to all the print pieces you can find over at Broadway Sports Media. Follow them on Twitter and Youtube.

New England Revolution – The Blazing Musket
SB Nation’s Bent Musket upgraded to Blazing in its move to Substack, where the site has found a new home for all its New England-area soccer coverage. They’ll keep you up on the Revs but also on other lower-league clubs sprinkled throughout New England like Rhode Island FC, Vermont Green FC, and Hartford Athletic. This is a Substack so you can subscribe to ensure access to all articles, starting from $5 per month. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

New York Red Bulls – Seeing Red
It sadly appears that SB Nation’s Once A Metro has completely folded. To compensate, check out the Seeing Red podcast. They’ve been at it since 2010 and are over 500 episodes deep into their coverage of NYCFC’s biggest rivals, so give them a listen if you’re looking to keep up with the Red Team from New Jersey. You can also follow the pod on Twitter and Facebook, and can find it wherever you get your podcasts.

Orlando City SC – The Mane Land
The SB Nation blog kept its name and URL. NYCFC’s expansion stepbrothers have been well covered by the Mane Land crew dating all the way back to 2014, and the site also boasts coverage of NWSL’s Orlando Pride and Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro, as well as two podcasts. You can also find them on Twitter, Youtube, and Facebook.

Philadelphia Union – Philadelphia Soccer Now
The folks from SB Nation’s Brotherly Game have moved their coverage of the Union and the Philadelphia soccer scene to this new site, now affiliated with the Soccer Now network responsible for sites such as Pittsburgh Soccer Now and Kansas City Soccer Journal (see above). Always nice to see some western-eastern Pennsylvania harmony, especially when it comes to soccer coverage. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Portland Timbers – Stumptown Footy
The SB Nation blog moved to Substack. You can read their content for free for now, but the site says it will eventually implement a firmer subscription wall. You can support their coverage for $5 per month, $4.17 a month for an annual commitment, or $6.66 per month if you make a year-long “Founding Member.” Stumptown covers the Portland Thorns of NWSL on top of the MLS Timbers, and you can also follow them on Twitter.

Real Salt Lake – Wasatch Soccer Sentinel
The coverage you used to find over at SB Nation’s RSL Soapbox is now happening at Wasatch Soccer Sentinel, at the easy-to-remember, cool-looking wasatch.soccer URL. On top of its RSL focus, Wasatch plans to cover the Utah Royals when the club makes its return to NWSL in 2024. Also to clear up any confusion for those not up on their southwestern geography and nomenclature: Wasatch is the mountain range that stretches hundreds of miles across Utah. Follow Wasatch Soccer Sentinel’s non-mountain-related coverage on Twitter and Instagram.

San Jose Earthquakes – Quakes Epicenter
Once upon a time, there was a San Jose Earthquakes team blog at SB Nation, but Center Line Soccer hasn’t published since 2021. Quakes Epicenter more than fills the void, as they have both a website and host a regular YouTube show called The Aftershocked dedicated to covering the club. They have a Patreon that lets you support their coverage, and you can find them on Twitter and YouTube.

St. Louis – River City Ramble
The newest MLS expansion club started playing after SB Nation decided to pull the plug on their blogs, but this podcast made a name for itself thanks to a huge controversy over its, well, name. Originally dubbed the Soccer Capitol podcast, they got hit with legal threats from Sporting Kansas City over their chosen name and redubbed themselves River City Ramble. Not exactly a warm welcome to the world of American soccer media, but give the show a listen to learn more about the upstart expansion side that is a bit too fond of the caps lock key. Follow them on Twitter.

Seattle Sounders – Sounder At Heart
The other MLS blog that is still being supported by SB Nation. Easily the most important news source on all things Sounders and OL Reign, Sounder at Heart has a readership that is as massive as it is insufferable passionate. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Toronto FC – Waking the Red
The SB Nation continues as a part of the Canadian Soccer Daily network. They will eventually take over the old URL, but for now, the site is appearing under the Canadian Soccer Daily umbrella. Continue to follow Sean Johnson’s new club and NYCFC’s longstanding conference rival on Twitter.

Vancouver Whitecaps – The Third Sub
SB Nation’s Eighty Six Forever is now the Third Sub. The new site is looking to expand the scope of what it writes about in order to cover the full soccer scene in Western Canada, so you can also read about the Canadian Premier League, the Canadian men’s and women’s national teams, and even semi-pro league League1 British Columbia. The Third Sub also has a podcast on offer, and you should give them a follow on Twitter.

PS: I leave you with some editorializing. If you care about the future of the sport in America and value independent coverage of these mostly under-covered soccer teams, consider at minimum following these MLS sites and podcasts on social media. If you’re able and willing, also consider providing financial support to some, all, or even one of these MLS content creators. They are doing this mostly out of pure love of the team, league, and sport they cover, and every dollar that comes their way will help ensure that their sites can continue to do their work.