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 this week's Full Time Review, The Athletic's Art de Roche and Laia Cervello join the podcast to discuss how Arsenal stunned Barcelona to win the 2024-25 UEFA Women's Champions League. Was it the biggest upset in a final the competition has ever seen? How did Arsenal honor their rich history while creating a new legacy? Who were the key players and top performers? And, what was behind Barcelona's collapse in Lisbon?
PLUS: Host Jillian Sakovits has the top of headlines of the NWSL weekend, and a very special moment of the week featuring some inaugural silverware in the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Stina Blackstenius is a subtle striker who helped Arsenal win another Champions League title
Chloe Kelly says she ‘found happiness at Arsenal after being in a dark place’
Barcelona seemed destined for a third straight Champions League triumph. What went wrong?
How Arsenal became European champions for a second time: Pressing, doubling up and smart subs
How Champions League winners Arsenal benefited from top coaching and a tight league table
Arsenal pull off the upset, beating Barcelona to capture second Women’s Champions League title
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Art de Roche, Laia Cervello
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.
After a decade in the NWSL, Kansas City Current midfielder Lo LaBonta has earned her first-ever call-up to the USWNT. On this week's Full Time Focus, the self proclaimed "5-foot fireball" caught up with Meg Linehan to talk about her emotions as she reacted to the long-awaited call, and the rare feeling of being a rookie once again.
PLUS: Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Sports Illustrated contributor Jenna Tonelli to discuss the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup final that will see UANL Tigres take on NJ/NY Gotham FC. After lots of roster turnover, a couple of cup final defeats and a nail-biting playoff exit last season, what would lifting a continental trophy mean to Gotham? And, will this tournament tell us which league is stronger between LigaMX Femenil and NWSL?
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Referenced on the show:
USWNT roster: Naomi Girma returns, Lo’eau LaBonta debuts, Korbin Albert absent
Gotham, Tigres advance to Concacaf W Champions Cup Final
Leah Williamson, Arsenal, and juggling the emotions of playing in a final for the club you support
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Lo LaBonta, Meg Lineha, Jenna Tonnelli
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
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This week on Full Time, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan breakdown the latest USWNT roster for the upcoming May/June friendlies against China and Jamaica. From Naomi Girma's long awaited return, to the intriguing new faces, and the notable absentees.
Then, with the help of The Athletic's Asli Pelit, there is a roundtable discussion on the NWSL after nine weeks of play. Who are the frontrunners in the MVP race? What makes this rookie class so special? What has been the biggest disappointment and the most pleasant surprise so far?
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Articles mentioned on the show:
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUEST: 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.
On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Tamerra Griffin to talk about a memorable evening at PayPal Park. Under the backdrop of Bay FC facing off against Angel City, in San Jose, California, Tamerra spoke to NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman for the first time since Angel City defender Savy King had a medical emergency during a match last week. What were the layers of emotions that surrounded this weekend's match? What questions remain unanswered after the commissioner's first media appearance? How much scrutiny is Berman under at this moment in time?
PLUS: The Athletic's Megan Feringa joins from Wembley Stadium to give her view on the women's FA Cup final. Jillian also goes over the top stories Matchweek 9 of the NWSL season, including her moment of the weekend.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
NWSL commissioner on decision to play after Savy King’s collapse: ‘All we could do is learn’
NWSL must learn from its decision to continue play after Angel City’s Savy King collapsed
Chelsea’s domestic dominance still won’t be considered enough until Europe is conquered, too
London City Lionesses head to WSL with ambition to compete among the elite
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Tamerra Griffin, Megan Feringa
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
Additional NWSL press conference audio captured by Taylor Vincent
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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.
On this week's Full Time Focus, Meg Linehan speaks to Meghann Burke, the executive director of the NWSL Players Association. The two discuss how the union is responding to Savy King's medical emergency in the match between Angel City and the Utah Royals last Friday and the NWSL's decision not to suspend the match. What changes to league protocols is the NWSLPA calling for? What’s next for player safety after the Savy King incident? How long will it be before changes are implemented?
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Mentioned on the show:
After Savy King’s on-field collapse, why wasn’t Angel City’s match cancelled?
Angel City’s Savy King underwent surgery after collapsing on field, prognosis ‘excellent’
NWSL must learn from its decision to continue play after Angel City’s Savy King collapsed
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HOST: Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Meghann Burke
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.
This week on Full Time, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan check-in on the two 2026 NWSL expansion clubs, Boston Legacy FC and NWSL Denver. With 10 months to go, just how ready for 2026 are these two expansion teams?
To help learn more about what progress is being made, this podcast also features interviews with Boston general manager Domènec Guasch and Denver team president Jen Millet. From the basics of opening a team bank account and making sure fans are invested from the jump, to knowing when we might see the a head coach hired or the first player signing. Domènec and Jen answer all the pressing questions on the build out of these two new teams.
Tamerra and Meg close out the show by discussing what they learned from those respective interviews, and then offering their lessons learned and things to avoid from previous expansion teams that have joined the NWSL.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
NWSL Denver hires Jen Millet as its first president: Colorado native ‘excited’ for another build
NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy gets White Stadium court win
Introducing Boston Legacy FC: NWSL expansion team announces new name
NWSL’s Denver expansion team announces stadium plans to open in 2028
Boston hires former FC Barcelona executive as new general manager
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Domènec Guasch, Jen Millet
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.
On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan to talk about Friday night's shocking medical emergency in the NWSL. After Angel City defender Savy King collapsed in the 74th minute, why wasn't the match cancelled? How were decisions made on Friday night? What communication was made with the players? And, what can the NWSL learn from this?
Jillian then goes over the top stories Matchweek 8 of the NWSL season, including her moment of the weekend. The show closes out with Jillian and Producer Theo discussing Chelsea's undefeated season in the English Women's Super League. Is this the best Chelsea team ever? And can anyone stop them from doing it again next season?
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Articles mentioned on the show:
NWSL must learn from its decision to continue play after Angel City’s Savy King collapsed
After Savy King’s on-field collapse, why wasn’t Angel City’s match cancelled?
This WSL season wasn’t a classic – it’s time to make the league more exciting
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: 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.
After a career spent shutting people out, Carli Lloyd decided to let people in. As the former USWNT player was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, she delivered a 20 minute speech that revealed why she acted the way she did during her 17-year career.
On this week's Full Time Focus, go inside Meg Linehan's feature storyabout Lloyd's new perspective by listening to an excerpt from their conversation this week. The two discuss how Lloyd assembled her words, why she wants to be more vulnerable now, and how she views her relationships with former teammates and coaches. In the four years since Lloyd retired from the sport, what has and hasn't changed?
PLUS: Host Jillian Sakovits gets you ready for the weekend action with three things to know & more news from around the NWSL.
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Mentioned on the show:
USWNT’s Carli Lloyd reflects on her new perspective following National Soccer Hall of Fame speech
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Meg Linehan, Carli Lloyd
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.
This week on Full Time, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan sit down with Lisa Cole for a special feature interview.
Cole has had an eclectic journey to now being the head of player pathways at the USWNT, and a backroom staff member under Emma Hayes. Over the past 20 years, her journey has gone from the college game to the fall of the WPS, the creation of the NWSL, to Papua New Guinea and Fiji, as well as a recent influential spell at the Zambian football federation.
On the show, the trio also discuss the challenges women face as they try to become head coaches in the professional game. Why don't more pathways exist for female coaches? What has changed or not changed in the past 20 years? How can the industry change and start providing better opportunities?
While Cole may not be a household name, she remains one of the most respect names in the industry. She is someone revered by her peers, the most influential coach you've never heard of.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Only two NWSL teams have a woman as head coach. Could expansion exacerbate the issue?
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUEST: Lisa Cole
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.
On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits looks back over Matchweek 7 of the NWSL season. From the league's first-ever 'Sister Sister' goal, to how likely it is that Seattle Reign and the Portland Thorns can build on their recent marquee results and become contenders.
To unpack the NWSL chaos, Jillian is joined by The Athletic's Asli Pelit, who also takes the listener inside a special one-off night on Broadway with Gotham FC's Midge Purce.
PLUS: Meg Linehanstops by to talk about London City Lionesses' dramatic promotion to the English Women's Super League, and owner Michele Kang's ambition.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Backstage with Midge Purce as the Gotham and USWNT forward makes her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’
Michele Kang’s London City Lionesses promoted to WSL for first time
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Asli Pelit, 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.
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