Full Time: A show about women's soccer

The first-ever UEFA Women's Champions League Swiss-style league phase is in the books, but was the inaugural campaign in the new format a success? On this edition of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovitz is joined by The Athletic's Tamerra Griffin to analyze how the opening round of the 2025-26 UWCL played out, from looking at the teams that impressed to those that crashed out, and also whether the new format delivered more drama and better matchups.After that, Jillian and Tamerra turn their attention to the draw and break down the bracket for the rest of the tournament. Which of the 12 teams remaining are the favorites to win, and who is the dark horse to watch? What does it mean for Chelsea to finally avoid a semifinal meeting with Barcelona? Which knockout round matchups promise to deliver the best fireworks, food and football?_______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Tamerra GriffinPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily OlsenReferenced on the show:Chelsea, Bayern reach Women’s Champions League quarter-finals: Who qualified, how do play-offs work?Women’s Champions League draw: Potential Arsenal-Chelsea, Barcelona-Real Madrid quarter-final tiesChelsea’s attack is key in the Champions League. Will the handbrake be released?NWSL Players Association opposes new star player rule change proposal_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition of Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan unpack the return of Sophia Wilson to the Portland Thorns and what it means for her to exercise her record contract option for the 2026 NWSL season. Why did she choose to stay with the Thorns? What do we know about her record-breaking new deal? And, how does this contract for Wilson affect the ongoing negotiations between the NWSL and fellow USWNT superstar Trinity Rodman?PLUS: Tamerra and Producer Theo analyze some of the other big signings of the free agency period so far, as well as wonder who might win the sweepstakes to pick up the remaining star players available, such as Bia Zaneratto or Ella Stevens._______________HOST: Tamerra GriffinGUEST: Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily OlsenReferenced on the show:USWNT’s Sophia Wilson returns home to Portland for 2026 season: ‘I miss playing in Providence Park’NWSL said it would fight for Trinity Rodman. It’s only fighting with itselfNWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to choose_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NWSL is at a crossroads. As the league and the Washington Spirit hash out the ways to keep Trinity Rodman, a new era of superstar spending, salary cap rules and competition with the global market could be on the horizon.On this edition of Full Time, host Meg Linehan is joined by The Athletic's senior writers Paul Tenorio and John Hollinger to reflect on how other U.S. sports leagues have handled rethinking their rules in order to keep superstars and what the NWSL needs to learn from those examples.Is an MLS-style designated player rule something to be embraced or avoided? Why does the NWSL need to think differently about its global market when compared to the NBA? Why could Rodman's next contract similarly change everything like Olivia Moultrie's case against the league did in 2021?_______________HOST: Meg LinehanGUESTS: Paul Tenorio, John HollingerPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily OlsenTobin Heath clip credit: 'A Touch More Live presented by Delta, Google Pixel, and Volkswagen (Vox Media)'Link to that show is here_______________Referenced on the show:NWSL said it would fight for Trinity Rodman. It’s only fighting with itselfNWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to chooseTrinity Rodman receives contract from Super League team larger than NWSL can match: SourcesTrinity Rodman negotiations explained: Why did NWSL reject the Spirit’s offer and what’s next?Teen soccer phenom Olivia Moultrie sues NWSL for right to play in league_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NWSL is at risk of losing one of its biggest superstars. But what exactly is holding back the Washington Spirit from re-signing Trinity Rodman?On Monday's edition Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Meg Linehan to break down the ongoing contract saga that unfolded last week. Why hasn't the NWSL accepted the Spirit's proposed offer to Rodman? Why is the NWSL players' association filing a grievance against the NWSL on Rodman's behalf? Is the Spirit breaking any salary cap rules with their offer to Rodman? Could Rodman head to Europe?PLUS: Tamerra Griffin checks in from World Sevens Football in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the San Diego Wave took home the title, $2 million and the tournament continued to grab headlines for its ability to create joy and viral soccer moments. And, in the English Women's Super League, Chelsea's 34-match and 585-day undefeated streak finally came to an end with an unlikely 1-0 home defeat to Everton._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:The WSL title race has some juice in itNWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to chooseTrinity Rodman receives contract from Super League team larger than NWSL can match: SourcesSan Diego Wave swag surf their way to $2 million prize at World SevensTrinity Rodman negotiations explained: Why did NWSL reject the Spirit’s offer and what’s next?Everton end Chelsea’s 34-match Women’s Super League unbeaten run with 1-0 win_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a very special episode of the Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are on the podcast together for the final time in 2025.To commemorate the occasion, Tamerra and Meg rank their Top 3 moments of 2025 while also ranking the three things they are most hyped about coming up in 2026. After that, the duo answers listeners' questions in one last mailbag to close out the season. From holiday movies that need soccer players in them to future NWSL Championship destinations, you don't want to miss this one.PLUS: Tamerra and Meg delve into the major NWSL news of the week, which saw Haley Carter join the Washington Spirit as their new President of Soccer Operations, and pressure intensifies on Trinity Rodman's future with the team._______________Referenced on the showSpirit hires Haley Carter to lead strategic vision and help retain top talent like Trinity RodmanCopa América Femenina, WAFCON showcase their potential – and a need for more supportMarta won’t exit quietly from NWSL playoffs after Orlando Pride loss: ‘It should not end like this’Jaedyn Shaw free kick sends No. 8 Gotham FC to NWSL championship with win over PrideEuro 2025: How ‘small’ Switzerland came to host a tournament that could spark ‘cultural change’Germany named 2029 women’s European Championship hosts______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the USWNT closed out 2025 with two shutouts against Italy. But what did we learn from the two stellar performances in those games, and how do we evaluate this year as a whole for Emma Hayes's team?On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Tamerra Griffin, who was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday night to witness the USWNT's 2-0 win over Italy, to break down what we learned and why the brilliant goals by Cat Macario and Jaedyn Shaw show us just how much those two players have developed for the USWNT this year.PLUS: Sports Illustrated's Jenna Tonelli also comes on the show to talk about Italy and how, despite their impressive 2025 not quite materializing into a strong showing against the Americans this week, head coach Andrea Soncin will be taking some valuable lessons into next year's World Cup qualifying. Both Tamerra and Jenna also hand out their grades for the USWNT in 2025 as a whole._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Jenna TonelliPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Catarina Macario scores again as USWNT shuts out Italy twice to end the yearUSWNT’s early scoring and brace from Catarina Macario lift team over ItalyBallon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati to undergo surgery on fractured legEngland managed a superb, celebratory homecoming. But is the succession plan clear?_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time, the Full Time podcast hosted a live event at the 2025 NWSL Championship in San Jose, CA, where U.S. women's national team legends Briana Scurry and Aly Wagner discussed how the past can shape the future in women's soccer.Hosted by The Athletic's Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin, the conversation touched on the rise and fall of the Women's United Soccer Association, off the back of the hosting and winning the 1999 World Cup, as well as the nuances of why major investors are now entering women's soccer like never before.We hope you enjoy this first live event podcast recording, which was recorded at The Preserve in downtown San Jose, the morning of the 2025 NWSL Championship final, on November 22, 2025.Thank you to all who attended and helped to make it happen.______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanGUESTS: Briana Scurry, Aly WagnerPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a blockbuster episode of Full Time, loaded with special guests and legends of women's soccer.Recorded live from the San Jose Civic in the days leading up to the 2025 NWSL Championship, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan conducted four wide-ranging interviews touching on all parts of the game.Joining the Full Time pod are former Orlando Pride general manager Haley Carter, 2013 NWSL MVP and 2015 World Cup winner Lauren Holliday, alongside 2025 NWSL Impact Award winner Sam Hiatt, Bay FC co-founder Danielle Slaton, and two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga.From how to manage a winning team to why community drives the NWSL, from what makes the Bay Area the U.S. hub for women's sports to what drives an MVP to keep winning, this episode has it all._____________Referenced on the showLauren Holiday reacts to NWSL naming community impact award after her, emphasizes communityOrlando Pride VP Haley Carter stepping down after 3 seasonsCurrent forward Temwa Chawinga wins second consecutive NWSL MVPWhat makes a great women’s sports city? We ranked the top 10 in the U.S.______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanGUESTS: Haley Carter, Lauren Holiday, Sam Hiatt, Danielle Slaton, Temwa ChawingaPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NJ/NY Gotham FC are the 2025 NWSL Champions. Seemingly, against all odds, the lowest-ever seeded champions just kept on showing up. And now, with two NWSL titles and a Concacaf title across three seasons, is it time to debate if this Gotham team is turning into a dynasty?On a special episode of Full Time Review, recorded at PayPal Park in San Jose, Meg Linehan, and Tamerra Griffin analyze all the big talking points from Saturday's dramatic NWSL Championship final that finished Gotham 1-0 Washington Spirit. How did Rose Lavelle step up to the big occasion to win her first NWSL Championship? Why did Adrian Gonzalez wait so long to take out an injured Hal Hershfelt? What's next for Trinity Rodman after her season ends with injury woes and a final defeat for the second consecutive year? Why did Juan Carlos Amoros tinker with his team, and how did he mastermind bringing on Bruninha?_______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Gotham FC wins NWSL championship on 80th-minute Rose Lavelle goal vs. Spirit‘Eight years in one’: Spirit and Gotham meet in NWSL Championship after long, packed seasonTrinity Rodman receives contract from Super League team larger than NWSL can match: Sources_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from the San Jose Civic, it's a very special episode of the Full Time podcast building up to the 2025 NWSL Championship Final in the Bay Area.Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan take you inside NWSL Awards and Media Day, from the opening two days of events in San Jose, and then dig into commissioner Jess Berman's league address, and the ongoing debates around the salary cap and whether Trinity Rodman will stay in the NWSL.Then, Gotham FC forward Midge Purce stops by to talk about her journey back to the NWSL Championship and the unrelenting belief her team has. After that, it's time for Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune to open up about what it means for her to play in her first final and the joy she finds in her team's style of play._______________Referenced on the showTrinity Rodman focuses on NWSL Championship, says ‘and then we’ll see’ about future with SpiritNWSL commissioner Jessica Berman talks salary cap, calendar changes and transgender inclusionHow Jessica Berman, the NWSL’s influential commissioner, faces her toughest testsUSWNT’s Emma Hayes weighs in on Trinity Rodman’s future, NWSL salary cap______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit are heading to the NWSL Championship Final. On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan, and Melanie Anzidei to break down the weekend's dramatic NWSL semifinals. The pod discusses Jaedyn Shaw's buzzer-beater in Orlando and how the 8th-seeded Gotham continued their unlikely journey at the expense of the defending champions, the Orlando Pride. And, whether the Washington Spirit just put in their best performance of the season as they breezed past the Portland Thorns at a sold-out Audi Field.PLUS: What is the latest on Trinity Rodman's contract? After The Athletic reported ongoing interest from Europe, will we see the NWSL change the existing salary cap rules to keep the U.S. women's national team star at the Spirit? _______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Meg Linehan, Melanie AnzideiPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Marta won’t exit quietly from NWSL playoffs after Orlando Pride loss: ‘It should not end like this’Jaedyn Shaw free kick sends No. 8 Gotham FC to NWSL championship with win over PrideNWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to chooseTrinity Rodman negotiations reach NWSL commissioner as English teams express interest in U.S. starWashington Spirit advance to NWSL Championship with 2-0 win over Portland Thorns_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NWSL is coming to Atlanta. Following The Athletic's Asli Pelit's report on Sunday, on Tuesday, it was officially announced that the capital of Georgia will be home to the 17th NWSL team in 2028. So, on this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits gets into what it means for Atlanta to join the NWSL. Jill talks to Pelit about breaking the story and the business side of Atlanta's record-breaking bid, as well as the major investment promises made by the ownership. Then, Jill is joined by Atlanta soccer radio host and ATL United announcer Jason Longshore to dig further into what the expansion news means to the community and the rich women's soccer history that already connects the USWNT and professional women's soccer to Atlanta.PLUS: Jill and Producer Theo break down the key things to watch for this weekend's NWSL Playoff Semifinals and give their picks on who will make the Championship Final in San Jose. Who will advance from the Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, and the Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC? _______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Asli Peli, Jason LongshorePRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Atlanta’s NWSL team will debut in 2028, play at Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta lands NWSL expansion franchise backed by Arthur Blank for record $165 million: Sources_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you measure Most Valuable Player? Who deserves Coach of the Year? What sort of midfielder is worthy of Midfielder of the Year?On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan debate the 2025 NWSL Awards and Best XI. The duo unpacks every category, examining the league's shortlisted players, as well as what their own formulas are judging and voting. Also, they discuss the snubs from the shortlist and put forward the players that should have been nominated, and argue whether the playoffs should be taken into account.PLUS: Tamerra and Meg wonder how much the absence of major stars on the pitch has affected the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, check in on the Full Time Bingo Card, and look ahead to the weekend's Semifinals._______________Referenced on the showCurrent’s overreliance on Temwa Chawinga makes her MVP argument even more compellingDon’t call Gotham an ‘underdog.’______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time in NWSL history, a No.8 defeated the top seed in the playoffs. But this wasn't just any top seed. This was a record-breaking Kansas City Current team that hadn't lost at home for 490 days. So, did NJ/NY Gotham FC pull off the biggest upset in NWSL history?On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits is joined by Tamerra Griffin, who was in Kansas City, to break down that extraordinary road victory. What was Gotham's game plan, and how was it so effective? How much did the absences of Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper affect the Current? Why does Jaedyn Shaw adamantly disagree with the "underdog" tag being given to Gotham?PLUS: Analysis and reaction of every NWSL Playoff quarterfinal, including a check-in with Melanie Anzidei fresh from experiencing the Washington Spirit's shootout win over Racing Louisville, Marta and the emotion of Luana's brilliant penalty kick, and the emergence of Reilyn Turner as a Portland Thorns hero._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Melanie AnzideiPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Gotham FC upset No. 1 Current in NWSL quarterfinal — but don’t call them the ‘underdog’Atlanta lands NWSL expansion franchise backed by Arthur Blank for record $165 million: SourcesSpirit’s mental preparation for the ‘unpredictable,’ helped secure another dramatic playoff winThe San Diego Wave are embracing the crests and troughs of their latest era in NWSLNWSL commissioner on gender eligibility: ‘Our policy is our current practice’Does home-field advantage matter in the NWSL playoffs?18 months after cancer diagnosis, Luana scores late goal to help Pride advance to NWSL semifinals_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 NWSL Playoffs are here, and they’re bigger than ever. And that means, on this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by not one but two special guests preparing to kick off the postseason.First up, Jill talks to NWSL veteran and Gotham FC co-captain Mandy Freeman. How is Gotham preparing for another underdog playoff run on the road? What does it mean to go play the No.1 seed Kansas City Current, who haven't lost a home game in 490 days? And, what is the secret behind Freeman's famous off-the-pitch fashion sense?After that, Jill says bienvenue to Kenza Dali – the French San Diego Wave midfielder who has taken the league by storm in her first season in the NWSL. What's it like to be a European player in your first American-style playoffs? How does the English Women's Super League compare to the NWSL? Why did the Wave drop off in the second half of the 2025 regular season? And, Dali talks about the importance of playing entertaining soccer while winning._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Mandy Freeman, Kenza DaliPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:NWSL playoff preview: How to watch, key matchups and bold predictionsSan Diego Wave signs France midfielder Kenza Dali from Aston Villa_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaves are falling, soup season is upon us, and the NWSL Playoffs are back!On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down the entire 2025 NWSL Playoffs, from the strengths and weaknesses of the eight teams left competing for the Championship, to how each quarterfinal is poised, and which teams will advance.Who are the key players and matchups? Will we see any upsets from the lower seeds? Can you read too much into end-of-season form? If each quarterfinal match were a takeout order, what takeout order would it be? This podcast gives you everything you need to know about the 2025 NWSL Playoffs.PLUS: Tamerra and Meg close out the show with their brackets and picks for who will make it all the way to the Championship Final in San Jose on November 22, as well as some final words and flowers for the six teams who will not be heading to the NWSL postseason._______________Referenced on the showRacing finished in ninth place the past four NWSL seasons. This year, they broke the curseBold NWSL title predictionsUSWNT’s Olivia Moultrie agrees to contract extension with Portland Thorns through 2029______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a dramatic Decision Day, Racing Louisville has clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs for the first time in team history. But how did Bev Yanez's team pull it iff on the final day of the regular season and what does it mean for the players, the coach and the fanbase? On this week's Full Time Review, Tamerra Griffin is joined by Melanie Azidei and Asli Pelit to analyze all the drama from the NWSL's regular season finale. From Ella Hase's historic goal for Racing, to the North Carolina Courage's big win over Gotham, that wasn't enough.Which teams rotated squads? What emotional goodbyes did we see from retiring legends? How much can we read into the performances of teams heading off to the playoffs? Has the return of Decision Day created a new marquee event for the NWSL? _______________HOST: Tamerra GriffinGUESTS: Asli Pelit, Melanie AnzideiPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:NWSL Decision Day recap: Racing celebrates, Current earns crucial win and an exciting rematchChicago Stars are not letting a poor 2025 stop them from dreaming about a stadium and the futureSeattle Reign’s Laura Harvey says ChatGPT inspired NWSL tactics: ‘It said play a back five, so I did’Bev Yanez on her coaching journey & Racing Louisville's date with destiny_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2011, after the Women's Professional Soccer league folded, Bev Yanez flew to Japan to hold onto her dreams of being a soccer player. That journey changed her life and set her on the path to being the person she is today. On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits sits down with Yanez for a special feature interview about her journey from National Women's Soccer League player to head coach of Racing Louisville. The conversation takes place days before the final match of the NWSL regular season that will decide if Racing clinches a spot in the playoffs for the first time in team history. How has Yanez developed as a coach? What are the secrets behind Racing's record-breaking season and the team's identity? How does Yanez balance being a mother and head coach? PLUS: Jill breaks down what is at stake ahead of NWSL 'Decision Day' and the 1-2-3 of what to watch this weekend._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Bev YanezPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The U.S. women's national team's October window has come to an end. But what did we learn from the trio of friendlies against Portugal and New Zealand?On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan get into the USWNT's October friendlies, the players that stood out, the importance of giving the young players more minutes, why it may be more interesting to see the USWNT lose than dominant, and what opponents Emma Hayes should be booking in for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.PLUS: Tamerra and Meg unpack Meg's latest column for The Athletic that responds to an op-ed by NWSL player Elizabeth Eddy that calls for new eligibility rules in the NWSL. What are the league and players association saying on the matter, what players are being unfairly targeted and what danger is on the horizon as a lack of clarity lingers?_______________Referenced on the showRose Lavelle is a ‘magician’ for USWNT and Gotham – and now her leadership is casting a spellUSWNT 6, New Zealand 0: Emma Sears scores first professional hat trickNWSL’s lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable – just not in the way you think______________HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg LinehanPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just three days after their worst performance under head coach Emma Hayes, the U.S. women's national team burst back into life with a rejuvenating 3-1 win over Portugal. What made it all the sweeter was the USA's young stars, like Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw, stealing the show in that win.On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits catches up with Melanie Azidei and Asli Pelit from Connecticut to talk about what they learned from the USWNT's win over Portugal. Why did Hayes make as many changes as she did? How come Moultrie and Shaw have established such a tight relationship on the pitch? What did it mean for goalkeeping legend Alyssa Naeher to be honored before the game in her home state?PLUS: Jill and Producer Theo talk Brazil's statement win over the Lionesses in Manchester, what it means for the European Champions and the 2027 World Cup hosts. Jill then closes out the show with her moment of the week._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Asli Pelit, Melanie AnzideiPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:USWNT bounces back against Portugal with 2 goals from 20-year-old Olivia MoultrieMaya Le Tissier has made case for England centre-back role – her talent there should not be wastedEngland’s soft underbelly has been exposed. Again_______________Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltimeSubscribe to our Youtube channel: hereSubscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.