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 2025 NWSL free agents officially being able to negotiate with new clubs as of September 1st, it was a good time for the Full Time podcast to do a deep dive on the players set to hit the market.
Whether you're a general manager in training or a first-time free agency enjoyer, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down all the key concepts, and things you need to know. Then, the duo takes a look back at the first two years of NWSL free agency and what might look different in 2025.
Tamerra and Meg also threw out some of the marquee names fans need to be watching and then were joined on the show by The Athletic's Jeff Rueter who offered up some of his data analysis to highlight some of the secret superstars that are ready to make a splash in 2025 free agency.
All that, plus the latest talking points on the Ballon D'or nominations, a wild record-breaking weekend in the NWSL, and the podcast's favorite transfers of the league's summer window that just closed last week.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
GUEST: Jeff Rueter
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles mentioned on the podcast:
NWSL free agency watchlist: Standouts who could capitalize on career-best seasons
Midge Purce and Sophie Schmidt are free agents – here’s what that means
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This week, a trio of top European clubs toured the United States. But why?
Meg Linehan and Steph Yang unpack why Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea's women's teams are making sure to have pre-season friendlies across the Atlantic, and what the trend might be a sign of bigger things to come.
What can we learn from analyzing both the on-pitch and off-pitch strategy? Should we be talking more about player load and fixture congestion? Is the NWSL a threat or an inspiration to the WSL's commercial targets?
Having been in Washington D.C. to cover Arsenal and Chelsea's co-tour, Steph expands on what she learned from spending time with the WSL coaches. She also shares some of the details of cross-club business growth from her sit down with Washington Spirit owner Michelle Kang.
One of The Athletic's Arsenal writers, Are de Roché then joined the podcast to compare and contrast previous U.S. tours involving the Gunners' men's team.
In addition to all that, there's also time to talk about the Abby Dahlkemper trade, Megan Rapinoe's jersey retirement, and so much more NWSL action.
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HOST: Meg Linehan
GUEST: Steph Yang, Art de Roché
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles mentioned on the podcast:
Michele Kang’s global investment in women’s soccer on display with Arsenal, Chelsea friendlies
NWSLPA announces initial list of players eligible for league’s first free agency under new CBA
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It is another monumental day for the National Women's Soccer League Players Association. On Thursday, the NWSLPA announced that it had agreed terms for a new collective bargaining agreement through the 2030 season.
The new CBA is effective immediately and comes just two years after the NWSL and its players signed the first-ever union contract in the league's history.
So, on this week's Full Time podcast, Meg Linehan and Steph Yang broke down what this landmark CBA means for the league and the players. From new minimum salaries to the major decision to abolish the draft, and a milestone revenue-sharing model. Why change the CBA now? And why these specific changes?
Later on, to help take the listener inside the negotiations, NWSL PA representative and North Carolina Courage midfielder Brianna Pinto also joined the podcast. She shared the players' point of view on how the new CBA was drawn up, what demands were essential for a better league, and what it was like to be a part of the five-player group that went to the table with the league to broker the deal this past July.
Before closing out the show, Meg and Steph give their thoughts on the San Diego Wave's hiring of Landon Donovan as the club's new interim head coach. While also debating what the new CBA means for the teams at the bottom of the NWSL standings. Which of the struggling clubs (if any) will be able to crash the playoffs?
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HOST: Meg Linehan
GUEST: Steph Yang, Brianna Pinto
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles & previous shows mentioned on the pod:
2022 Full-Time episode: Let's Break Down The NWSL CBA!
NWSL Players Association ratifies first collective bargaining agreement
Why USL Super League isn’t looking to compete with NWSL: What to expect from new league
Landon Donovan acknowledges ‘steep’ NWSL learning curve as Wave’s interim head coach
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From a café in Paris, Meg Linehan sat down with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman for a special one-on-one interview episode. The conversation focused on how the league is strategizing to maximize the impact of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Can the NWSL build on the success of the gold medal-winning U.S. women's national team, as well as dozens of high-profile foreign players who featured in Paris? With the second half of the NWSL regular season beginning on August 23, how much of a catalyst could these Games be?
With a renewed vision to be the best league in the world, Berman shared her thoughts on Naomi Girma, Marta, the power of joy, club ownership, the importance of marketing, "Super Bowl-esque events" and more.
This bonus episode of the Full Time podcast was recorded on the eve of the 2024 women's Olympic soccer final, which eventually saw the USWNT secure a memorable 1-0 win over Brazil.
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HOST: Meg Linehan
GUEST: Jessica Berman
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.
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Your 2024 Paris Olympic champions are the U.S. women's national team.
On the final Olympic reaction podcast, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang dissect how Emma Hayes' players ground out a nervy and choppy 1-0 win in the final over Brazil.
Was this USA team redeeming the 2023 World Cup failure or is that an unfair lens to view the triumph through? Just how huge was goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher at the tournament? Are the USWNT ahead of schedule in terms of their development under Hayes?
From the Parc des Princes stadium in France, Meg Linehan called in to give an update on the USA players' emotions at the final whistle and set the scene from the podium, including tears of joy in the press conference from captain Lindsey Horan.
Finally, Tamerra and Steph close out their 2024 Paris Olympic podcast coverage by handing out their own awards for the best tournament moments and then reflect on how these Games will be remembered.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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The U.S. women's national team's 2024 Paris Olympics adventure is not over. After a 1-0 extra-time win over Germany in Tuesday's semifinal, Emma Hayes' team will take on Brazil for a gold medal this weekend.
On this special match-reaction Full Time podcast, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang break down how the USA stayed cool to survive and advance in a crunchy knockout affair against Germany. From Sophia Smith banishing the ghosts of the 2023 World Cup; to just how unstoppable Naomi Girma was in Lyon.
Speaking of Lyon...Meg Linehan calls into the show, from France, to get the podcast caught up on her takeaways from the mixed zone with the players and coach. What was Hayes' reaction to taking the USA one step closer to Olympic gold? How was match-winner Smith feeling after one of the biggest moments of her career so far?
Tamerra and Steph also play 'Gold, Silver, and Bronze' (giving out medals to their favorite moments from both the USA's win over Germany and Brazil's stunning 4-2 win over Spain.) Before then closing out the show with a preview of the upcoming gold medal match between the USWNT and the Selecao Feminina. Could this be Marta's last-ever tournament match for her country?
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on instagram: @tafulltime
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What a day. With three of the four 2024 Paris Olympic quarterfinals going to extra time, (and two of those games going to a penalty shootout), it's about time the Full Time podcast did the same!
That's right, it's a bumper edition of the Full Time podcast, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang react to the U.S. women's national team's 1-0 overtime win over Japan as well as break down all 531 minutes of exhausting Olympic quarterfinal action.
On the ground from the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Meg Linehan calls into the show to talk about what happened in the USA mixed zone after the win. How did head coach Emma Hayes respond to audible boos in the crowd? Just how fatigued are these players? And, did the Japanese tactics stifle the Americans' game plan?
Later on in the show, Tamerra and Steph play 'Gold, Silver, and Bronze' (giving out medals to their favorite moments of the day). While also finishing up with a preview of the two Olympic Semifinals to come next week and some of their favorite moments from around the Games on Saturday.
One thing remains true: The USWNT is onto a medal match. But who are their biggest rivals left in the tournament? This episode of the Full Time podcast will unpack it all.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on instagram: @tafulltime
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And breathe. The USWNT finished the group stage with a perfect three wins from three at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At the end of the day's soccer action, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang react to the Americans' 2-1 over Australia and then they are joined by Meg Linehan to give the inside scoop from the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille, on how the players and head coach Emma Hayes reacted to victory.
Is it time to question Hayes' lack of rotation in the starting XI? Who replaces a now-suspended Sam Coffey? After months without access, what was goalscorer Korbin Albert asked in the mixed zone? Exactly what did Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson do to earn a yellow card?
After wrapping up the USWNT's win and overall group stage performance, Tamerra and Steph play 'Gold, Silver, and Bronze' (giving out medals to their favorite moments of the day). Then, they finish up with a preview of every Olympic Quarterfinal matchup. From the USA's 2012 Olympic final rematch versus Japan; to Canada's miraculous journey to the knockout rounds (where they will play Germany) despite a six-point deduction and a suspended head coach.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on instagram: @tafulltime
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Moments after the USA's confident 4-1 win over Germany at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang jump on the Full Time podcast to break down all the action.
Why does the Americans' front three look so cohesive right now? Is there anyone that Naomi Girma can't cover? Why did Emma Hayes opt for an unchanged team?
Midway through the podcast, Meg Linehan calls in from the Stade Velodrome, in Marseille, to update the listener on the USA players' emotions after qualifying for the quarterfinals, as well as to give some unique insights from being on the ground in France.
PLUS: Tamerra and Steph play 'Gold, Silver, and Bronze' (giving out medals to what they believed to be the most impressive elements of a truly legendary day of Olympic women's soccer ). There's also plenty of talk about the ongoing #Dronegate, and Canada's shock 2-1 win over France without their banned head coach, Bev Priestman.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on instagram: @tafulltime
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Immediately after the USA's 3-0 win over Zambia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tamerra Griffin and Steph Yang sit down to react to all the action.
How did Emma Hayes appear in her first major tournament game? Did the USA's attack do enough against 10 players? What can we infer from the lineup choices and substitutions?
Later on in the show, Meg Linehan calls in from the Stade de Nice stadium. She offers up her unique perspective from the mixed zone after the match, as well as reports on what she learned from being on the ground in France.
PLUS: Tamerra and Steph play 'Gold, Silver, and Bronze' (giving out medals to what they believed to be the most impressive elements of the USA v Zambia match). And then, the duo breaks down all the other Olympic soccer action from around the tournament's group stage, including the latest on #Dronegate.
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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Steph Yang
GUESTS: Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
________________
Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on instagram: @tafulltime
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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