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
On a dramatic Decision Day, Racing Louisville has clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs for the first time in team history. But how did Bev Yanez's team pull it iff on the final day of the regular season and what does it mean for the players, the coach and the fanbase?
On this week's Full Time Review, Tamerra Griffin is joined by Melanie Azidei and Asli Pelit to analyze all the drama from the NWSL's regular season finale. From Ella Hase's historic goal for Racing, to the North Carolina Courage's big win over Gotham, that wasn't enough.
Which teams rotated squads? What emotional goodbyes did we see from retiring legends? How much can we read into the performances of teams heading off to the playoffs? Has the return of Decision Day created a new marquee event for the NWSL?
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HOST: Tamerra Griffin
GUESTS: Asli Pelit, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL Decision Day recap: Racing celebrates, Current earns crucial win and an exciting rematch
Chicago Stars are not letting a poor 2025 stop them from dreaming about a stadium and the future
Bev Yanez on her coaching journey & Racing Louisville's date with destiny
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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In 2011, after the Women's Professional Soccer league folded, Bev Yanez flew to Japan to hold onto her dreams of being a soccer player. That journey changed her life and set her on the path to being the person she is today.
On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits sits down with Yanez for a special feature interview about her journey from National Women's Soccer League player to head coach of Racing Louisville. The conversation takes place days before the final match of the NWSL regular season that will decide if Racing clinches a spot in the playoffs for the first time in team history. How has Yanez developed as a coach? What are the secrets behind Racing's record-breaking season and the team's identity? How does Yanez balance being a mother and head coach?
PLUS: Jill breaks down what is at stake ahead of NWSL 'Decision Day' and the 1-2-3 of what to watch this weekend.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Bev Yanez
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
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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 U.S. women's national team's October window has come to an end. But what did we learn from the trio of friendlies against Portugal and New Zealand?
On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan get into the USWNT's October friendlies, the players that stood out, the importance of giving the young players more minutes, why it may be more interesting to see the USWNT lose than dominant, and what opponents Emma Hayes should be booking in for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.
PLUS: Tamerra and Meg unpack Meg's latest column for The Athletic that responds to an op-ed by NWSL player Elizabeth Eddy that calls for new eligibility rules in the NWSL. What are the league and players association saying on the matter, what players are being unfairly targeted and what danger is on the horizon as a lack of clarity lingers?
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Referenced on the show
Rose Lavelle is a ‘magician’ for USWNT and Gotham – and now her leadership is casting a spell
USWNT 6, New Zealand 0: Emma Sears scores first professional hat trick
NWSL’s lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable – just not in the way you think
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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.
Just three days after their worst performance under head coach Emma Hayes, the U.S. women's national team burst back into life with a rejuvenating 3-1 win over Portugal. What made it all the sweeter was the USA's young stars, like Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw, stealing the show in that win.
On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits catches up with Melanie Azidei and Asli Pelit from Connecticut to talk about what they learned from the USWNT's win over Portugal. Why did Hayes make as many changes as she did? How come Moultrie and Shaw have established such a tight relationship on the pitch? What did it mean for goalkeeping legend Alyssa Naeher to be honored before the game in her home state?
PLUS: Jill and Producer Theo talk Brazil's statement win over the Lionesses in Manchester, what it means for the European Champions and the 2027 World Cup hosts. Jill then closes out the show with her moment of the week.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Asli Pelit, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
USWNT bounces back against Portugal with 2 goals from 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie
Maya Le Tissier has made case for England centre-back role – her talent there should not be wasted
England’s soft underbelly has been exposed. Again
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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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Did the USWNT just put in its worst performance under head coach Emma Hayes?
On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Henry Bushnell to unpack the USWNT's 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Thursday night. The duo break down what went wrong for the USWNT, who does the blame should fall on and whether there is any panic in the squad. Henry also gets into what the atmosphere was like at Subaru Park as U.S. Soccer honored retired legend Alex Morgan, as well as what he learned about the Americans' performance after talking to Hayes and several USWNT stars post-match.
PLUS: Jill has latest roster updates for the USWNT and beyond, as well as the Full Time's 1-2-3 of what to watch this international weekend from a Wales legend's final bow in her hometown, to an intercontinental battle of the ages.
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Referenced on the show:
The USWNT just gave its worst performance under Emma Hayes. What went wrong against Portugal?
Gotham FC forward Jaedyn Shaw on her road back to the USWNT: ‘I feel very free’
USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson on her Chelsea move: ‘I was expecting it to be more scary’
USWNT 1, Portugal 2: Uncharacteristic mistakes leave the U.S. disappointed in loss
USWNT celebrates Alex Morgan’s ‘legendary’ career as she passes the torch to next generation
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Henry Bushnell
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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.
For months now, U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has stated that she wanted to identify her core group for the 2027 World Cup cycle by the October 2025 international window. Well, here we are.
On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan get out their crystal balls and debate their first drafts of what they believe will be Hayes's USWNT roster in two summers time at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Who will Tamerra and Meg select? Who will they leave off the roster? Where will the two differ in their picks? Which absent stars will be predicted to return? How big is Hayes's roster bubble right now?
PLUS: Melanie Anzidei and Asli Pelit join the show fresh from U.S. soccer, alongside the Mexican, Costa Rican and Jamaican soccer federations, presenting their 2031 Women's World Cup bid to the media. The duo get into what they learned from speaking with the federations this week, as well as legends Kelley O'Hara and Abby Wambach. How many teams will compete? Why did these four nations join forces as hosts? What exciting prospects and challenges lie ahead?
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Referenced on the show
United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica announce joint 2031 Women’s World Cup bid
USWNT’s Lily Yohannes scores long-range stunner, Alyssa Thompson taps in first Champions League goal
USWNT’s Alyssa Thompson on her Chelsea move: ‘I was expecting it to be more scary’
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Melanie Anzidei, Asli Pelit
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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 NWSL and soccer world held their collective breaths when Temwa Chawinga went down in Saturday's upset defeat of the KC Current by the Houston Dash. What happened in Texas? And, what does it mean for the MVP frontrunner and the Current, by far number one team in the country?
On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits and Producer Theo get into the scenes that saw Chawinga limp off and then get wheeled out of Shell Energy Stadium as well as discuss where this leaves the Current's forward options. The duo also break down everything else that went down on the penultimate weekend of the NWSL regular season, from which teams have clinched a spot into the postseason and which young record-breaking international has put herself into the MVP shortlist conversation.
PLUS: Asli Pelit joins the show from New York, fresh from seeing Rose Lavelle score a stunning free-kick to clinch a playoff spot for NJ/NY Gotham FC. How are Gotham shaping up ahead of the postseason? What was it like watching the game alongside the team owners? Asli also gets into why she wrote about the deep friendship between budding USWNT stars Claire Hutton and Ally Sentnor.
Jill closes out the show with an emotional moment of the week that zones in on the many tears and tributes that poured in following the final home matches for Christen Press, Ali Riley and Lauren Barnes.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Asli Pelit
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL executive committee approves 3-year extension for commissioner Jessica Berman: Sources
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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.
On this week's episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan to unpack the latest U.S. women's national team roster that dropped this week ahead of three upcoming friendlies.
The return of Trinity Rodman to the USWNT is now in doubt after an injury midweek playing for the Washington Spirit. Jillian and Meg get into the latest reporting from The Athletic about Rodman's status, as well as the other big takeaways from the roster and what we learned from Emma Hayes's press conference on Wednesday.
Then, Tamerra Griffin interviews CEO of Bay Collective and head of global women's football at Sixth Street Kay Cossington to learn more about the esteemed new hire, and her vision for the soon-to-be multi-club ownership group. What drew Cossington to the U.S. after a tremendously successful 20-year spell at the English Football Association, where she helped the Lionesses to double Euro success? How does she plan to rejuvenate Bay FC?
PLUS: Jill has all the updates from Matchday 2 in the UEFA Women's Champions League, the conclusion of the group stage in the W Concacaf Champions Cup and get focused with Full Time's 1-2-3 of what to watch this NWSL weekend from a Championship rematch in D.C. to an emotional farewell in Los Angeles.
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Referenced on the show:
Trinity Rodman to miss USWNT camp with injury, hopeful for return before end of NWSL season
USWNT roster: Europe-based stars return for October friendlies
USWNT’s Lily Yohannes scores long-range stunner, Alyssa Thompson taps in first Champions League goal
In Naomi Girma’s absence, Emma Hayes continues to experiment with the USWNT defense
Christen Press felt like a ‘villain’. The ex-USWNT forward played long enough to become a hero
USWNT’s Christen Press’ thank you letters to herself, football and the fans: Exclusive
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin, Kay Cossington
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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.
One of the most iconic women's soccer players of the 20th century is hanging up her boots. Christen Press has announced she is retiring at the end of the 2025 NWSL season.
So, on this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan dig into Press' career, from Stanford, to Sweden, to the NWSL, to winning two World Cups with the USWNT and then finally returning home to help launch Angel City FC in her hometown. Tamerra and Meg get into the highs and lows on and off the pitch. What is going to be her legacy? How did she push boundaries and back herself when the path wasn't always easy?
Meg also reflects on catching up with Press this week for a lengthy phone call to talk about her retirement, the unique way she has chosen to do it, and unpack the big moments that defined her career. From the personal battles that the public didn't see, to the joys of feeling loved by fans despite having been painted as a "villain" many years ago.
PLUS: Laura Harvey, who previously coached press at the Utah Royals and USWNT, joins the podcast to talk about what it was like to coach Press and how this generation of retiring NWSL changed the game and kept receipts. Just how much does the NWSL and women's soccer owe to the likes of Press, Kristen Hamilton, Lauren Barnes and Christine Sinclair?
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Referenced on the show
USWNT’s Christen Press’ thank you letters to herself, football and the fans: Exclusive
Christen Press felt like a ‘villain’. The ex-USWNT forward played long enough to become a hero
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUEST: Laura Harvey
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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.
Records, they absolutely hate to see the Kansas City Current coming. Another week means more history made at CPKC Stadium as the number one team in the NWSL continues to set itself apart.
On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Tamerra Griffin to analyze the Current's latest marquee performance against Gotham; as well as the instant impact of MVP frontrunner Temwa Chawinga, who returned from a small knee injury that prevented her from starting the last two weeks.
PLUS: After big wins, have the Orlando Pride and the San Diego Wave arrested their slumps since the summer break? Who are the teams to watch in a crowded middle of the standings? And, how do we make sense of the NWSL playoff picture with two matches left to go.
Jill also breaks down the latest from the English Women's Super League, including woeful starts to the season for Liverpool and West Ham, and a huge moment for Diana Ordóñez and Tigres UANL in LigaMX Femenil.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
_______________
Referenced on the show:
NWSL executive committee approves 3-year extension for commissioner Jessica Berman: Sources
_______________
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.
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