Stay ConnectedFull Time is The Athletic’s dedicated podcast for the U.S. women’s national team, the National Women’s Soccer League, and the larger world of international women’s soccer. Three times a week, join Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin and Jillian Sakovits as they tackle the culture, context, and conversations about the sport here in America and beyond, with help from fellow writers, guests and insiders from all corners of the game.
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Copyright: © 2020 - The Athletic
With the start of the NWSL season upon us, Theo Lloyd-Hughes and Tamerra Griffin join Jillian Sakovits to break down the biggest storylines on and off the pitch. They analyze the entrance of two new expansion teams in Denver FC and Boston Legacy, whether we'll see a repeat performance from the 2025 shield winners, KC Current, and if this is finally the year for the Washington Spirit.
They also talk about NWSL attendance numbers and how the men's World Cup will affect the NWSL, the newly implemented HIP policy, and how the NWSL is approaching safety concerns and regulations heading into this season.
Finally, they close out with a predictions game for the season ahead.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL 2026 season predictions: Champions, Triple Espresso’s return and an MVP three-peat
NWSL doubled in size over the last decade. The 2026 season will be a pivotal ‘next chapter’
Bev Yanez on her coaching journey & Racing Louisville's date with destiny
Meet NWSL expansion team Denver Summit: Hometown talent, attendance records and a blank canvas
Meet NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy: Reintroduction, European influence and a desire to win
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
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The first-ever 16-team NWSL season is almost here. But who are these new 2026 expansion teams, Boston Legacy and Denver Summit?
On this special expansion-focused episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits takes you inside the Legacy and the Summit, and their journeys to joining the NWSL. Hear one-on-one interviews with Legacy head coach Filipa Patão and Summit head coach Nick Cushing, breaking down their soccer philosophies, career paths and connections to their new homes.
After that, Jillian is joined by The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei to analyze both teams on-pitch and off-pitch team builds, the players to watch, and what success looks like for both teams.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Melanie Anzidei
GUESTS: Nick Cushing, Filipa Patão, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
Meet NWSL expansion team Denver Summit: Hometown talent, attendance records and a blank canvas
Meet NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy: Reintroduction, European influence and a desire to win
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, once a shimmering mirage, is now taking shape into something almost tangible.
The Athletic made its first U.S. women’s national team roster prediction back in October 2025, and now, with six international windows to go until the tournament roster announcement, it is time to jump back into roster predictions with our 2.0 edition.
On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Melanie Anzidei and Tamerra Griffin to break down their latest 23-player roster predictions. Where did Melanie and Tamerra agree and where did their picks clash? Which players are locks and which are not? Who is on the bubble with a chance to break in? What has changed since the last predictions in October?
PLUS: The latest on a developing story out of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, where five players have defected from the Iran women’s soccer team and are being cared for in a safe house operated by the Australian Federal Police.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
A clear core group emerges as USWNT defeats Canada: ‘I love winning football matches like this’
USWNT 2027 World Cup roster predictions 2.0: What changed with SheBelieves Cup win?
Five Iran Women soccer players defect with help of police following Asian Cup in Australia
FIFA, Australian government hold urgent talks over Iran women’s team’s future after Asian Cup exit
Emma Hayes’ rebuild of the USWNT is taking shape – and already reaping rewards
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
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Emma Hayes called the U.S. women’s national team’s 1-0 win over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday night one of her “favorite performances” by the team. But why was the victory so impressive? Which players impressed? And do the selection decisions made by Hayes show us who the USWNT’s core group is?
On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Melanie Anzidei and Producer Theo break down the USWNT’s win over Canada and debate which players are in and out of the team’s best available XI. Calling in from Columbus, Ohio, Tamerra Griffin also gives her analysis from the stadium on Wednesday night.
PLUS: The latest on CAF’s choice to postpone the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations until this summer, Iran is knocked out of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup while conflict surges between the U.S., Israel and Iran, UEFA 2027 World Cup qualifiers get underway, and more from the FIFA international window.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
A clear core group emerges as USWNT defeats Canada: ‘I love winning football matches like this’
Lack of clarity around WAFCON postponement causes speculation and player suffering
Iran face Asian Cup elimination after 4-0 loss to hosts Australia
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
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The U.S. women’s national team scrapped its way to a 2-0 win over Argentina in the opening match of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. But what did Emma Hayes’s team learn from a match where they only generated six shots and were fouled 21 times?
On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin, who was in Nashville, Tennessee, for the opening night of the SheBelieves Cup. The duo analyzes the good, the bad, and the ugly of the USA’s win on Sunday night, and why Canada’s 4-1 over Colombia, in the other opening round fixture, meant so much to Casey Stoney and her players.
PLUS: Jillian and Producer Theo review the new ESPN documentary ‘NWSL: The Final Third’, which gives an inside look at the 2025 NWSL season, featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Angel City, the KC Current, and the Washington Spirit.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
Lindsey Heaps leads USWNT to SheBelieves Cup win over Argentina, Trinity Rodman suffers injury
Trinity Rodman leaves SheBelieves Cup match after hard foul
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
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Family can shape us. For U.S. women’s national team forward Jameese Joseph, the pride she feels playing soccer is the result of the hard work and dedication of her parents, who put her in a position to be great.
On this episode of Full Time, Tamerra Griffin is joined by Joseph, from the USWNT’s training camp at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, to talk about her journey from college to the Chicago Stars and now an international soccer player for the four-time World Cup winners. They get into the legacy of her parents immigrating from Trinidad, as well as the lessons learned playing in the USWNT U23s that helped her develop into the right player for head coach Emma Hayes.
PLUS: Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra give their thoughts on the new kits for the 2026 NWSL season that dropped on Thursday and look ahead to the start of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup. Does winning a friendly tournament really matter for the USWNT? Which opposing player should fans be looking out for? What are the latest changes to the USWNT’s roster this week?
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
GUEST: Jameese Joseph
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
Key Europe-based players return to USWNT roster for SheBelieves Cup; no Catarina Macario
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith withdraws from SheBelieves Cup with Canada due to concussion
USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey says team has ‘responsibility’ to speak out about social issues
Reviewing NWSL’s bold new 2026 jerseys: Big swings, city ties, and falling short
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
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While the U.S. women’s national team has been playing friendly after friendly, plenty of the rest of the world has already started their qualification paths to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
So, what is the state of World Cup qualifying around the world in women’s soccer? What do people need to know about the differences in how the six FIFA confederations handle their qualifiers? How can FIFA change the women’s game and increase investment? Who are the nations to watch that could be on the rise over the next year?
On this episode of Full Time, as the first FIFA window of 2026 arrives, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin and Producer Theo to get into World Cup qualifying around the globe. What does it all mean? When is it happening? And, why should we care?
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
How Jamaica eliminated Brazil from the 2023 Women’s World Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s call for more women in power is ironic and disappointing
Brazil wins 2027 Women’s World Cup hosting duties: What we know about the successful bid
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
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The start of the 2026 NWSL season is just three weeks away! So, now is a great time to get to know some of the new faces in the league. On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined bythree exciting rookies preparing for their first professional seasons.
First up, highly-rated centerback Elise Evans opened up about her family connections to Stanford, stepping into Naomi Girma’s shoes and why she chose to sign for the Chicago Stars. Then, Utah Royals outside back Kameron Simmonds hops on the show to talk about her transition from being a forward to a defender while winning a national championship at Florida State as well as her history-making memories from the 2023 World Cup with Jamaica. The final rookie interview of the show is with Maja Lardner, a forward for Racing Louisville. Lardner reveals a big goal for 2026 and how she’ll fit into head coach Bev Yanez’s system.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Elise Evans, Kameron Simmonds, Maja Lardner
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
How Jamaica eliminated Brazil from the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Bev Yanez on her coaching journey & Racing Louisville's date with destiny
_______________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After 13 years and 19 trophies, last week Chelsea parted ways with general manager Paul Green. After a wild few weeks for the Blues, it’s time to wonder if the reigning Women’s Super League Champions are in crisis?
On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Cerys Jones and Megan Feringa, who last week reported on Green’s departure and what is going on inside Chelsea this season. What led to Green being ousted? Who is making the decisions at Chelsea now? Can Chelsea salvage their 2025-26 season? What is the latest on Cat Macario’s future, and how is that related to this change in the club’s front office?
PLUS: Tamerra Griffin joins the show to analyze the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup that was announced on Tuesday, where Emma Hayes also paid tribute to her former Chelsea colleague Green. So, who is in, who is out for the USWNT? Are we closer to knowing the core group and best XI? What does it mean to have the USWNT’s European stars returning?
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Cerys Jones, Megan Feringa
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
USWNT’s Emma Hayes says Paul Green’s dedication to Chelsea was ‘unrivaled’
Key Europe-based players return to USWNT roster for SheBelieves Cup; no Catarina Macario
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor agrees contract extension to 2030
Chelsea part ways with head of women’s football Paul Green
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
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In one of the most blockbuster offseason moves in recent NWSL history, Claire Hutton and Croix Bethune both had million-dollar transfers on Wednesday. So, where do these moves leave the players, their respective clubs, and their U.S. women’s national team ambitions?
On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin react to Wednesday’s shocking double transfer, which saw Hutton move from the KC Current to Bay FC for $1.1m and Bethune head to the Current from the Washington Spirit for $1m. What has been the fan reaction? Who won the deal? Why did these teams need to make these moves?
After that, Hutton joined Full Time for an exclusive interview to share why she decided to sign for Bay, what other options were on the table, and why she is so excited to work with new Bay head coach Emma Coates.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
Bay FC signs USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton in $1.1 million deal with Kansas City Current
KC Current acquire Croix Bethune from Washington Spirit in $1M transfer
_______________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
Take The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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