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 Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Angel City and U.S. youth national team midfielder Kennedy Fuller.
The teenager, in her sophomore season as a professional, talks about how she's grown from her rookie season, the challenges young players face in the NWSL, her relationship with Emma Hayes, and her USWNT ambitions.
PLUS: Jillian and producer Theo discuss what's next for the Chicago Stars after firing head coach Lorne Donaldson just six matches into the season, and more NWSL news to know ahead of the weekend's matches.
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Mentioned on the show:
Chicago Stars fires head coach Lorne Donaldson
The Chelsea dynasty: How they celebrated an ‘unbelievable’ sixth Women’s Super League title in a row
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Kennedy Fuller
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.
Last week, we learned that the NWSL submitted an application to U.S. Soccer to create its very own second division soccer league. The NWSL's intent for a new reserve league came just weeks after WPSL Pro had been awarded second division sanctioning for its league.
All this has got us wondering at Full Time: What is the landscape of American women’s soccer right now? What should a second division women’s soccer league look like within that landscape? And why are there so many of them popping up right now?
The Athletic's Jeff Rueter also joins the show to talk about his column looking at the history of lower division soccer in the U.S. and what the NWSL needs to be aware of as it moves forward.
And, hear from industry leaders across the country, Andrea Yoch (MN Aurora FC, USL-W), Jamie Levoy (California Storm, WPSL), and Chris Petrucelli (Dallas Trinity, USL-Super League) who share their insights on what the most vital parts of the women's soccer ecosystem really are.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
A lower-division league is good for women’s soccer. But is NWSL’s proposal the solution?
NWSL requested permission to start a new second division. What does it mean for women’s soccer?
NWSL submits application to U.S. Soccer for second division professional women’s league
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Jeff Rueter, Andrea Yoch, Jamie Lovey, Chris Petrucelli
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 as the NWSL was flirting with predictability, Week 6 delivered one of the most entertaining and dramatic weekends in the league's recent memory.
On this week's Full Time Review, Theo Lloyd-Hughes and Melanie Anzidei break down what was behind the extraordinary comebacks in Week 6 of the NWSL, as well as what is helping to organically evolve the rivalry between the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC.
PLUS: A historic Sunday of UEFA Women's Champions League semifinalaction. How did Arsenal pull off a shock in France? Why is Barcelona still so far ahead of Chelsea?
The Athletic's Megan Feringa and Charlotte Harpur joined the podcast live from Stamford Bridge to share their thoughts and analysis.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Arsenal reach first Women’s Champions League final since 2007 after win over Lyon
NWSL teams are embracing tension, new and old: ‘People love a good sports rivalry’
NWSL requested permission to start a new second division. What does it mean for women’s soccer?
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HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
GUEST: Melanie Anzidei, Charlotte Harpur, Megan Feringa
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 Focus, host Jilian Sakovits sits down with North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas.
The two talk candidly about the Courage's challenging start to the season and the importance of trusting the process, especially when things aren't going your way. Nahas opens up about how the Courage can get the best out of Jaedyn Shaw, why he's taking a break from social media, and his deep admiration for Pep Guardiola.
PLUS: Later on, Amelia Lopez, of the Our Futbol podcast, joins the show to help shine a light on the LigaMX Femenil playoffs, which began this week. Who are the players and storylines that you need to know? And which teams are primed to win the 2025 Clausura title?
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Mentioned on the show:
Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday joins North Carolina Courage NWSL team ownership group
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Sean Nahas, Amelia Lopez
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 has always prided itself on chaos. A league where anyone can beat anyone.
But five weeks into the 2025 season, things are looking awfully similar to 2024. Four teams (Kansas City Current, Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, and NJ/NY Gotham FC) are breaking away at the top of the standings, sweeping the other 10 teams in their path.
This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan discuss whether the NWSL is losing its chaos. What has happened to the parity in the league? Should fans, broadcasters or the league itself be concerned? And, what are these four elite teams doing so right to blaze ahead? The Athletic's staff writer Jeff Rueter, also joins the debate to help analyze the past, present, and future of the NWSL's competitive balance.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures
State of the League: Before the NWSL can take on the world, it must find its place in the U.S.
Depleted Spirit defeats reigning NWSL champion despite Trinity Rodman’s absence
Put the Washington Spirit in bubble wrap. Plus, NWSL’s coaching pipeline problem
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Jeff Rueter
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 Orlando Pride looked unbeatable through four weeks of the NWSL. Then, a depleted Washington Spirit, missing 11 players including Trinity Rodman, came along.
On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits discusses how the Spirit pulled off the biggest result of the 2025 season so far, as well as the other top stories from the NWSL weekend.
PLUS: The Athletic's Laia Cervello also joins the podcast to report on the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal first legs, where Barcelona humbled Chelsea.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Trinity Rodman stepping away from Washington Spirit to address back issues
Depleted Spirit defeats reigning NWSL champion despite Trinity Rodman’s absence
USWNT’s Trinity Rodman: ‘I don’t know if my back will ever be 100 percent’
Barcelona punish Chelsea to take three-goal lead in Women’s Champions League semi-final
Arsenal endure their reminder of Lyon’s pedigree but still go to France with hope
Arsenal edged out by Lyon in first leg of Women’s Champions League semi-final
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: 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.
Angel City FC has hired a new head coach. On June 1, Alexander Straus will leave Bayern Munich for Los Angeles and the NWSL.
But what was it about Straus that got him the job? What was ACFC's search and interview process like? How will the coach and the club match their visions?
On this week's Full Time Focus, host Tamerra Griffin discusses the Straus hire fresh from a press conference with ACFC sporting director Mark Parsons and club president Julie Uhrman.
Later on, Talia Barrington joins the show to take the listener inside the launch of Canada's Northern Super League. Then, Andre Carlisle hops on to give insight into the mindset of the Washington Spirit ahead of its marquee match against the Orlando Pride this weekend — a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship final.
PLUS: Tamerra and Producer Theo preview the upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal first legs that will see Arsenal host Lyon and Barcelona welcome Chelsea.
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Mentioned on the show:
Alexander Straus to become Angel City head coach in June
Inside Canada’s Northern Super League: A new soccer competition created by players for players
Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos unable to join team abroad due to potential travel ban
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HOST: Tamerra Griffin
GUESTS: Talia Barrington, Andre Carlisle
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 is coveting new eyeballs and growth. But, after an announcement that the league would be establishing a "league supporter's group" as a sponsorship collaboration with an energy drink named Unwell, many are wondering if the NWSL actually understands soccer fans.
This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan discuss tension in the relationship between the league and its supporters. With the help of voices from four different NWSL supporter's groups from across the country, Tamerra and Meg unpack what values are most important to key community stakeholders and where the NWSL might well be falling short.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Full Time Newsletter: Feeling ‘Unwell’ about a brand activation
Fan who used hateful language toward Barba Banda banned by Gotham FC
NWSL missed a chance to help Barbra Banda amid bad-faith attacks. More are inevitable
State of the League: Before the NWSL can take on the world, it must find its place in the U.S.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Jaimie Calderon, Tina Ettlin, Douglas Reyes-Ceron, Kirsten Ross
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 385 days, Midge Purce is back. On Sunday, the USWNT forward made her NWSL return from an ACL injury.
But what does Purce's return mean for Gotham FC? A club
On this week's Full Time Review, staff writer at The AthleticAsli Pelit hosts a discussion of the weekend's NWSL action. Starting withthe scene in New Jersey to witness Purce's comeback and Gotham's first win, then moving to the continued perfection of Orlando Pride and KC Current at the top of the standings and signs of life for the Chicago Stars.
PLUS: Megan Feringa hops on the pod to give her verdict on the English women's FA Cup semifinals, Olivia Smith's determination, and another Phallon Tullis-Joyce masterclass.
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Gotham FC forward Midge Purce returns to the field a year after ACL injury
Alanna Kennedy, toughest player in women’s soccer?
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HOST: Asli Pelit
GUEST: Megan Feringa
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.
Women's sports may be booming, but establishing a bright future might rely on understanding the past.
On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jilian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan, who last week sat down for a one-on-one interview with sports icon Billie Jean King in Los Angeles to talk all things women's sports.With clips from that conversation interspersed, Meg talks about how BJK emphasized the importance of knowing your history, investment, and the need for women's sports to progress even faster.
PLUS: Jilian and Producer Theo give their women's FA Cup semifinal predictions and look ahead to Week 4 of the NWSL.
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Mentioned on the show:
Emma Hayes is putting her USWNT players in the frying pan. Who can handle the heat?
Michele Kang on $25 million U.S. Soccer investment: ‘It’s a very critical moment for all of us’
Who is Emma Hayes building the USWNT around?
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: 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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