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
Marie-Louise Eta made waves when she became the first woman to lead a men’s soccer team in Europe’s top 5 leagues, after she took charge of Union Berlin in Germany’s Bundesliga as an interim first in 2024 and then again for an extended period of time in 2026. Now, she has been tasked with leading the women’s team in their second-ever Frauen-Bundesliga season.
Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Megan Feringa, fresh from four days in Berlin with Eta and Union, where she learned all about the club, their unique history, and why the plan all along was to put Eta at the helm of the women’s side despite her interim stint as head coach of the men’s team last April.
PLUS: All the top moments from the NWSL weekend, including Mal Swanson’s best performance of 2026.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Megan Feringa
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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On this episode of Full Time Focus, we’re talking about the USA roster for the upcoming 2026 U-20 World Cup in Poland, which was released this week.
Host Jillian Sakovits sat down with Bay FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller to talk about what it means for her to be selected, what her role on the team is, her love of learning under Bay head coach Emma Coates, and how she is learning to let go of the pressure.
PLUS: Tamerra Griffin joined the show to godeeper into this USA roster, the future stars to know, the players who didn’t make the cut on Vicky Jepson’s roster, and what the expectations are for the USA as they go in search of a fourth U-20 World Cup trophy, and their first since 2012.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin
GUEST: Kennedy Fuller
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
U-20 World Cup roster set after NWSL, college teams grant releases
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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On this week’s Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, and Tamerra Griffin unpack the past, present, and future of relocation in the NWSL.
A lot of this conversation has been sparked by noise around Racing Louisville and how owners across the league have to keep up with rising expansion fees, revenues, and operating costs. How has being an owner in the NWSL changed in a short space of time? Asli Pelit joins the panel to add her expertise from the financial side of soccer and her candid conversations with owners in the league.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PANEL: Asli Pelit
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Reference on the show:
Expansion or relocation? How the NWSL ecosystem makes it hard to keep up with the price of winning
Racing Louisville owner seeks new investment, says relocation not off the table
An accidental NWSL owner in Louisville: The Suite Level with John Neace
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here
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The 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations is in the books. On Sunday night, Cameroon defeated Malawi 3-0 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, to lift their first-ever continental trophy.
While the finale proved one game too many for the Chawinga sisters' Cinderella Story, this WAFCON felt different. How has Temwa Chawinga helped to bring more Americans to WAFCON? And what does it mean to have the forward risen to elite sporting superstar status in Kansas City?
Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by PJ Green of the KC Star to break down ‘The Temwa Effect’ and the special scenes in Kansas City for WAFCON and beyond. The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin also joins the show to break down what happened in the final.
PLUS: All the best moments from the NWSL weekend, including some major stars returning from extended periods the sidelines.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, PJ Green
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
Cameroon crowned WAFCON champions for first time with emphatic 3-0 win over Malawi
WAFCON 2026: Cameroon shocks Nigeria, Algeria and Malawi qualify for first Women’s World Cup
NWSL stars at WAFCON feel a responsibility to elevate teammates to similar opportunities
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: here
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Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
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Ashley Sanchez has been one of the best players of the 2026 NWSL season. In a career year for the 27-year-old North Carolina Courage attacker, the conversation is turning to whether it is time for a return to the U.S. women’s national team.
On thisepisodeof Full Time, Jillian Sakovits is joined by Sanchezto talk all about her incredible 2026. From what new head coach Mak Lind has brought to North Carolina, to how she has refined her game on the pitch, and enjoyed major life changes off of it. She also unpacks what it would mean to win a first-ever NWSL Golden Boot trophy and the latest on whether USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has been in touch.
PLUS: The news that the Chicago Stars have parted ways with head coach Martin Sjögren after just 18 matches in charge.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Ashley Sanchez
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL Golden Boot race: Can anyone overtake Temwa Chawinga or Barbra Banda?
Chicago Stars fire Martin Sjögren, name Karina Báez interim head coach
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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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On this week’s Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, and Tamerra Griffin dive into the emerging world of web-based women’s soccer mini-games. The pod talks to the people behind viral soccer mini-games ‘Road to 75’, ‘Immaculate Footy', as well as someone who helped develop Fantasy NWSL.
What does it take to launch a mini-game? How do they work, and in what ways do they educate fans on women’s soccer data and history? Can these games shape the culture and the fandom of the sport?
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
GUESTS: Kieran Doyle, Emily Anderson, Izzy Duddy
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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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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The Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga and Malawi are heading to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
In a thriller on Sunday night, Malawi – the lowest-ranked team at the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations – came from behind to defeat Ghana 2-1 in the quarterfinals in Casablanca, Morocco.
On this episode of Full Time, Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to unpack Malawi’s incredible run to the semifinals and what it means for the nation and their players to reach a first World Cup. Will powerhouse Nigeria miss a women’s World Cup for the first time? What happened to Barbra Banda and Zambia?
PLUS: All the best moments from the NWSL weekend, including goals galore as Pietra Tordin scores the fastest-ever hat-trick in NWSL history and the North Carolina Courage stun the Washington Spirit at Audi Field.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUEST: Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
WAFCON 2026: Cameroon shocks Nigeria, Algeria and Malawi qualify for first Women’s World Cup
NWSL stars at WAFCON feel a responsibility to elevate teammates to similar opportunities
_______________
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 Wednesday, at a press conference in New York City, NWSL commissioner Jess Berman officially unveiled the league’s 2027 calendar outline. In what will be the NWSL’s historic 15th season, the league will have its earliest-ever kickoff on February 11, the same week as the Super Bowl.
On thisepisodeof Full Time, Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei and Asli Pelit to break down what we learned from the NWSL’s midseason press conference, how the league went about deciding the best way to allow for a lengthy break during the 2027 Women’s World Cup next summer and will the NWSL benefit from the KC Current’s involvement in the new season of Apple TV show Ted Lasso.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Asli Pelit, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Reference on the show:
NWSL to start 2027 season in February ahead of Women’s World Cup next summer
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman talks 2027 calendar, media rights deal and weather protocol
Will ‘Ted Lasso’ shine a light on the evolution of women’s soccer?
Racing Louisville owner seeks new investment, says relocation not off the table
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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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Is Trinity Rodman overrated? Do the U.S. women’s national team need to be playing in more competitive tournaments? Should more NWSL teams follow the Utah Royals and give head coaches more time?
This week’s Full Time is a Summer Mailbag special, where hosts Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin answer listener questions on everything and anything about the global women’s game. From 2027 World Cup roster conundrums to picking WAFCON 5-a-side teams and everything in between.
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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
______________
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.
Hot off the heels of the 2026 men’s World Cup – FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled a proposal to sell a stake in FIFA competitions to private investors. After widespread condemnation from the public and FIFA member associations, the proposal has been scrapped.
Now the question is: Can Infantino hold onto his grip on the FIFA presidency? What is next for FIFA? And, what did this all mean for the women’s game?
On this episode of Full Time, Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Megan Feringa to take the listener inside the week that shook FIFA and the move that could cost Infantino everything. Megan also reacts to Monday’s breaking news that Manchester United manager Marc Skinner has left the English Women’s Super League club by mutual consent.
PLUS: Asli Pelit hops on the pod and breaks down the best moments from the NWSL weekend, including Gotham FC’s journey to the top, the Royals’ big win over the Thorns and Jess Fishlock keeping the time on its toes.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Asli Pelit, Megan Feringa
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
Inside the week that shook Gianni Infantino, FIFA and the football world
FIFA scraps World Cup private investment plans as Infantino fights for his future
UEFA threatens FIFA, Joshua Kushner with legal action over World Cup investment plan
English FA to withdraw support for Gianni Infantino’s FIFA re-election
Gotham and USWNT defender Emily Sonnett to miss remainder of NWSL season after knee surgery
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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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