Full 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
…
continue reading
…
continue reading
This is a Washington Spirit podcast, so we're gonna talk about the Spirit! Host Jason Anderson of Black and Red United covers team culture, interviews with players and coaches, tactics, game previews, and everything in between.
…
continue reading

1
Sam Coffey talks leadership & the USWNT midfield
29:52
29:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:52On this week's Full Time Focus, Tamerra Griffin sits down with Sam Coffey for a feature interview from USWNT training camp. The 26-year-old midfielder talks about developing her leadership style, as she assumed the Portland Thorns captaincy in the wake of veterans Becky Sauerbrunn and Christine Sinclair retiring. Coffey also discusses her time in M…
…
continue reading

1
Making sense of World Sevens Football with Tobin Heath
41:20
41:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:20It has been billed as women's football 'reimagined' but with the inaugural edition behind us, what really is World Sevens Football (W7F) offering to the sport's global ecosystem? This week on Full Time, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are joined by USWNT legend Tobin Heath to discuss her role as the chair of player advisory council in develop…
…
continue reading

1
Was Arsenal’s win over Barcelona the biggest Champions League upset ever?
28:59
28:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:59On 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 a…
…
continue reading

1
Lo LaBonta: A USWNT call-up a decade in the making
22:46
22:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:46After 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 Jilli…
…
continue reading

1
Naomi Girma returns to USWNT, plus NWSL MVP race
46:00
46:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:00This 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…
…
continue reading

1
How much scrutiny is NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman under?
26:51
26:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:51On 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 du…
…
continue reading

1
How NWSL can improve player safety after Savy King incident
19:45
19:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:45On 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 i…
…
continue reading

1
NWSL Expansion: Are Boston and Denver ready for 2026?
1:02:23
1:02:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:23This 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 Gu…
…
continue reading

1
After Savy King collapsed, why wasn’t Angel City’s match cancelled?
21:38
21:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:38On 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 th…
…
continue reading

1
Carli Lloyd reflects on her new perspective
19:28
19:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:28After 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 story about Lloyd's new per…
…
continue reading

1
The most influential coach you've never heard of
46:04
46:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:04This 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 cr…
…
continue reading

1
Midge Purce's Broadway debut & are the Portland Thorns contenders?
21:43
21:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:43On 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 P…
…
continue reading

1
Kennedy Fuller interview & what next for the Chicago Stars?
29:33
29:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:33On 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. P…
…
continue reading

1
Why are lower division leagues crucial to women's soccer development?
44:06
44:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:06Last 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…
…
continue reading

1
How comebacks and revenge reignited the NWSL in Week 6
26:12
26:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:12Just 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 th…
…
continue reading

1
Sean Nahas interview: Inside the North Carolina Courage's process
27:56
27:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:56On 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…
…
continue reading
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 wee…
…
continue reading

1
How a depleted Washington Spirit finally beat the Orlando Pride
21:05
21:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:05The 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 weeke…
…
continue reading
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 Str…
…
continue reading

1
Does the NWSL know what soccer fans want?
35:01
35:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:01The 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 t…
…
continue reading

1
What does Midge Purce's return mean for Gotham?
26:15
26:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:15After 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 Athletic Asli Pelit hosts a discussion of the weekend's NWSL action. Starting with the scene in New Jersey to witness Purce's comeback…
…
continue reading

1
How Billie Jean King hopes to unlock the next generation
24:01
24:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:01Women'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 i…
…
continue reading

1
Who is Emma Hayes building the USWNT around?
46:06
46:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:06The USWNT's April window is over. A California double-header against Brazil resulted in one win and one defeat. So, what have we learned from these two matches? As Emma Hayes continues her year of discovery, who is at the core of her roster? Who is she building the future USWNT around? This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are …
…
continue reading

1
Why Alyssa Thompson was the USWNT's star at SoFi
22:04
22:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:04On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by staff writer at The Athletic Tamerra Griffin to discuss the USWNT's 2-0 win over Brazil at SoFi Stadium. How did SoFi Stadium handle its first-ever women's sports event? How important was Trinity Rodman on her return? Did Los Angeles local Alyssa Thompson have her best internationa…
…
continue reading

1
Reacting to the United States' 2031 Women's World Cup bid
23:58
23:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:58The USA is all but confirmed to co-host the 2031 Women's World Cup. The news is not official just yet but comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an address that the Americans were part of a lone bid for 2031, while the UK was the sole bidder for 2035. On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jilian Sakovits and the newest member of The Ath…
…
continue reading

1
Lily Yohannes interview: How the teenage USWNT star is meeting the moment
38:34
38:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:34Ajax and USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes joins the Full Time podcast for a special interview this week. The teenager talks about her extraordinary rise, her focus on living in the moment, her relationship with Emma Hayes, her life in Amsterdam, and her experience developing in the European academy system. Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan also s…
…
continue reading

1
Who is the best team in the NWSL after Week 3?
15:26
15:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:26Another NWSL weekend, another win for the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current. But which team is leading the way? On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits debates which of the league's perfect two frontrunners looks more impressive heading into the international break. Jillian also has a look back on the weekend's action. From T…
…
continue reading

1
Meet the new NWSLPA President, and how Chelsea bounced back in the UWCL
23:26
23:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:26Recently elected as the new President of the NWSL Players Association, Kansas City Current forward Haley Hopkins joins Full Time Focus to talk about her vision for the role. Also on the podcast, host Jillian Sakovitz gets you ready for Week 3 in the NWSL by looking back on the historic rivalry between the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Cour…
…
continue reading

1
USWNT roster breakdown and strategy for Brazil friendlies
44:27
44:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:27On this week's Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan analyze Emma Hayes' latest U.S. women's national team roster for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil. Who are the new faces and the notable absentees? With no major tournament on the horizon, how important is talent identification versus relationship building? And, what sort of reaction w…
…
continue reading

1
Latest on Trinity Rodman's contract, and youth shines in NWSL Week 2
18:11
18:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:11Welcome to the new Full Time Review hosted by Jillian Sakovits. Your Monday morning rundown, looking back at the weekend’s action on the pitch and the top stories from the NWSL and beyond. All in under 20 minutes. On the show this week, Jillian looks at the Orlando Pride and the KC Current's perfection at the top of the standings and some simply st…
…
continue reading

1
How Manchester City beat Chelsea in the UWCL quarterfinal first leg
19:11
19:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:11Welcome to another Full Time Focus, the new Friday podcast hosted by Jillian Sakovits that gets you ready for the weekend’s action while also catching you up on the key women’s soccer news that developed during the week. On the show this week: Jillian has the latest to get you ready for the NWSL weekend, where the league's top-four teams from 2024 …
…
continue reading
On this week's Full Time, the podcast is asking what is the state of the NWSL in 2025? Where is the league right now, and where does it want to be? To help discuss the state of the league, Meg Linehan is joined by staff writer at Just Women's Sports Claire Watkins, and women's basketball staff writer and co-host of the No Offseason podcast at The A…
…
continue reading

1
NWSL is back, RIP BOS Nation, and Chelsea wins League Cup
12:30
12:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:30Welcome to the new Full Time Review hosted by Jillian Sakovits. Your Monday morning rundown, looking back at the weekend’s action on the pitch and the top stories from the NWSL and beyond. All in under 20 minutes. On the show this week, Jillian talks about the biggest storylines from the opening weekend of the new NWSL season. Barbra Banda and Temw…
…
continue reading

1
NWSL players to watch, and what's going on at Manchester City
24:43
24:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:43Welcome to the first edition of Full Time Focus, a new Friday podcast hosted by Jillian Sakovits that gets you ready for the weekend’s action while also catching you up on the key women’s soccer news that developed during the week. On the show this week: Jillian has the latest on Mal Swanson and some NWSL opening day history, then Jeff Rueter joins…
…
continue reading

1
2025 NWSL Season Preview Part Two: Who will improve in the West?
50:58
50:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:58This week's Full Time is the second episode in a two-part 2025 NWSL Season Preview. Co-hosts Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin are back together and joined by Evan Davis, of the Expected Own Goals podcast and Equalizer Soccer, to preview the seven teams in what the podcast is calling the 'NWSL West'. How are Angel City FC, Bay FC, Houston Dash, Portl…
…
continue reading

1
Washington Spirit's Challenge Cup redemption and the NWSL's formal review of Bay FC coaching culture
17:00
17:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:00Welcome to the new Full Time Review hosted by Jillian Sakovits. Your Monday morning rundown, looking back at the weekend’s action on the pitch and the top stories from the NWSL and beyond. All in under 20 minutes. On the show this week, Jillian unpacks Friday’s penalty shootout drama in the NWSL Challenge Cup between the Orlando Pride and the Washi…
…
continue reading

1
2025 NWSL Season Preview Part One: Who is chasing a title in the East?
50:07
50:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:07This week's Full Time is the first in a two-part 2025 NWSL Season Preview. Meg Linehan is joined by former NWSL player-turned-broadcaster Jill Loydon and staff writer at USA Today's Pro Soccer Wire Jason Anderson to analyze the seven teams in what the podcast is calling the 'NWSL East'. How are Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, NJ/NY Gotham FC, KC …
…
continue reading
In August 2023, on the pitch in Sydney, Australia, Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso's life changed. But not in the way it should have.In a moment that became more widely known as "The Kiss" former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, grabbed Hermoso's face and planted a kiss on her lips. It became front page news around the world.In Fe…
…
continue reading

1
Don't panic over the USWNT's loss to Japan, plus Mark Parsons' Angel City vision
56:50
56:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:50This week on Full Time, Meg Linehan and Jeff Rueter break down the USWNT's SheBelieves Cup performance, including the 2-1 defeat to Japan. Is it time to push the panic button? Or do we need to lean into Emma Hayes' call for patience and development? In addition to picking the bones on the first defeat for the USA under Hayes, Meg and Jeff give thei…
…
continue reading

1
USWNT roster analysis and big picture questions for Brazil friendlies
44:27
44:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:27Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
…
continue reading

1
Talking USWNT and SheBelieves Cup with former captain Becky Sauerbrunn
39:10
39:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:10Special guest Becky Sauerbrunn joins host Meg Linehan to talk all things USWNT, the SheBelieves Cup, and her post-career transition to broadcasting with TNT Sports, as well as her podcasting with Sam Mewis. The conversation also dips into being on the other side of the media divide, USWNT leadership, and what Sauerbrunn's latest books and TV recomm…
…
continue reading

1
The "WNT" Way: Explaining Emma Hayes' aim to revolutionize U.S. Soccer
45:00
45:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:00Emma Hayes has a new strategic vision for the U.S. women's national team, called 'The WNT Way'. Host Meg Linehan is joined by The Athletic's Jeff Rueter to discuss how the new blueprint is attempting to revolutionize the existing approach to women's soccer in terms of anatomy, psychology, coaching and tactics. The duo also break down the latest USW…
…
continue reading

1
Why NWSL is paying players $5 million in restitution over past abuse scandal
44:16
44:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:16This week Full Time unpacks the outcome of a joint investigation by the attorneys general of the District of Columbia, Illinois, and New York into systemic abuse within the National Women's Soccer League from 2013 until 2021. As a result, the NWSL must create a $5 million player compensation fund as part of a settlement regarding its role in widesp…
…
continue reading

1
How Denver won the bid to become NWSL’s 16th team
47:31
47:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:31Denver has officially been announced as the NWSL's 16th expansion team. But how did this ownership group win the bid? This week on Full Time, Meg Linehan and Theo Lloyd-Hughes focus on understanding what made Denver special. To help do that, NWSL commissioner Jess Berman joins the show to give the inside scoop on how the league evaluated the bids. …
…
continue reading

1
What Naomi Girma’s record $1.1 million transfer to Chelsea means for NWSL
45:11
45:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:11It's an emergency episode of Full Time. On Sunday, Chelsea officially announced the transfer of U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave for a record fee of $1.1 million. Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down the deal, from the timeline of Girma's transfer request to the chain reaction around the globe. Jes…
…
continue reading

1
How rookies navigate a world without an NWSL draft
52:03
52:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:03This week on Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan take a deep dive into the new world of NCAA rookie free agency. Since the NWSLPA inked a new CBA with the league in 2024, which abolished the draft, what has it been like to navigate turning pro in this historic offseason? To help with the discussion, Tamerra and Meg spoke to rookies out of UC…
…
continue reading

1
Casey Stoney explains her masterplan for Canada
44:20
44:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:20This week on Full Time, Casey Stoney joins the podcast to talk about her brand new job as the head coach of the Canadian women's national team. Sitting down with Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan, the former Manchester United and San Diego Wave boss reveals her thoughts on why she was the perfect fit, the importance of building trust with players, th…
…
continue reading

1
Making sense of Gotham FC's 2025 offseason moves
45:34
45:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:34Happy 2025! It's a new year and a new season of Full Time with Meg Linehan! As the NWSL offseason heats up, one of the biggest talking points has been: What has been going on at NJ/NY Gotham FC? Well, to help answer that question, Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West joins the podcast to talk about the transfers out of Lynn Williams and Yazmee…
…
continue reading

1
Best of 2024 Part II: The USWNT, Olympic gold and goodbyes
42:25
42:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:25Welcome to the second podcast of our two-part 'Best Of' series, highlighting our favorite moments and episodes from Full Time with Meg Linehan in 2024. In Part II, Meg Linehan traces a stunning year for the U.S. women's national team. From Emma Hayes's landmark as the new head coach to the 'redeem team' winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. I…
…
continue reading

1
Best of 2024 Part I: A year of NWSL record breakers
39:54
39:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:54A legendary 2024 is drawing to a close. So Full Time has compiled a two-part 'Best Of' series to highlight our favorite moments and episodes from this past season. In Part I, Tamerra Griffin guides you through the year's best NWSL interviews and discussions. Re-live a conversation with Brianna Pinto, taking you inside the game-changing new collecti…
…
continue reading