Home Podcasts Full Time: A show about women's soccer
Full Time: A show about women's soccer

Full Time: A show about women's soccer

The Athletic 378 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

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.

Episodes

Did Ted Lasso do women’s soccer justice?
Did Ted Lasso do women’s soccer justice? Oct 8, 2026 51:38 This week marked the finale of the fourth season of ‘Ted Lasso’. This was the first season of the incredibly popular Apple TV show that centered around women’s soccer. So, on this week’s Full Time, the podcast wonders: Did ‘Ted Lasso’ do women’s soccer justice?Host Theo Lloyd-Hughes is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Asli Pelit, as well as writer Steph Yang to unpack what worked and what
Renee Slegers and Arsenal in crisis & what’s still at stake in the NWSL?
Renee Slegers and Arsenal in crisis & what’s still at stake in the NWSL? Oct 6, 2026 56:53 Are Arsenal in crisis? And, what does the future hold for head coach Renée Slegers?On this episode of Full Time, Theo Lloyd-Hughes and The Athletic’s Megan Feringa break down a testing week for Arsenal and their beleaguered head coach that finished with a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. After another poor start to a WSL season, the Gunners find themselves 10th in the table and 10 points a
Five years on from a reckoning & how the NWSL players saved the league
Five years on from a reckoning & how the NWSL players saved the league Oct 1, 2026 49:18 Five years ago, the NWSL was facing a reckoning over systemic abuse within women’s soccer. With play halted and protests from players and fans across the country, no one was sure if the league would survive.Five years on, the league barely resembles the NWSL of the past. But how did we get here? And how did the NWSL players save their league and shape its future? On this special episode of Full Ti
USWNT roster reaction: Ashley Sanchez returns, Jaedyn Shaw & Ally Sentnor miss out
USWNT roster reaction: Ashley Sanchez returns, Jaedyn Shaw & Ally Sentnor miss out Sep 29, 2026 45:28 Ashley Sanchez is back with the U.S. women’s national team. The North Carolina Courage star was among 26 players USWNT coach Emma Hayes named to her roster for a crucial pair of friendlies against reigning World Cup champion Spain on Oct. 10 and 13.On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Melanie Anzidei to unpack the USA’s roster to face off
Cloe Lacasse interview & the most underrated NWSL players in 2026
Cloe Lacasse interview & the most underrated NWSL players in 2026 Sep 24, 2026 39:07 Cloe Lacasse is having one of the best seasons of her career. The Utah Royals forward co-leads the NWSL in assists, with 10, and could break the league record in the same statistic if she sets up one more goal. She also has seven goals, making her one of the league’s top goal contributors. The Canadian’s form has begged the question: Is Lacasse underrated?On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian
Can Vlatko Andonovski revive the Chicago Stars?
Can Vlatko Andonovski revive the Chicago Stars? Sep 22, 2026 35:44 10 days after mutually parting ways with the Kansas City Current, Vlatko Andonovski is back in the NWSL.In a dramatic turn of events, the former USWNT head coach is now the Chief Soccer Officer for the Chicago Stars. So, on this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin to discuss whether Andonovski can make Midwestern magic happen
Why is there so much head coaching turnover in the NWSL?
Why is there so much head coaching turnover in the NWSL? Sep 17, 2026 46:49 How long does the average head coach last in the NWSL? Why do we see so much turnover at the head coaching position? What are the causes, and what are the solutions (if we need them)?On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin for a deep dive into coaching turnover in the NWSL. The trio unpacks all the data from coaching turnover
Unpacking Cat Macario's season-ending injury & an open letter to FIFA about the U20 World Cup
Unpacking Cat Macario's season-ending injury & an open letter to FIFA about the U20 World Cup Sep 15, 2026 41:12 Cat Macario’s debut season in San Diego is over before it ever really began. Wave FC announced on Monday that the U.S. women’s national team attacker would be placed on the season-ending injury list after undergoing knee surgery. So, how did we get here, and what does it mean for Macario, the Wave and the USWNT? Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei and Tamerra Griffin
Jenna Nighswonger on why she joined Bay FC & life back in the NWSL
Jenna Nighswonger on why she joined Bay FC & life back in the NWSL Sep 11, 2026 20:55 After 18 months away, Jenna Nighswonger is back in the NWSL and back in her home state of California. So, why has she joined Bay FC, what excites her about head coach Emma Coates, and how is life back in the league where she was a league Champion and Rookie of the Year three years ago? On this episode of Full Time, Nighswonger sits down with The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to catch up on life and s
Making sense of Vlatko Andonovski's exit from the KC Current
Making sense of Vlatko Andonovski's exit from the KC Current Sep 9, 2026 41:42 This week, the Kansas City Current announced that the team would be mutually parting ways with Sporting Director Vlatko Andonovski. The bombshell news came just 10 months after Andonovski led the Current to a record-breaking NWSL Shield win as head coach, then swiftly restructured his role in Kansas City, moving him from the dugout to head of the front office on the sporting side.On this week’s Fu
Inside Alexia Putellas’s WSL debut & Michele Kang’s big-spending with London City Lionesses
Inside Alexia Putellas’s WSL debut & Michele Kang’s big-spending with London City Lionesses Sep 7, 2026 41:43 A Ballon d’Or winner, in Bromley? Yes! You are hearing that correctly. The Athletic’s Charlotte Harpur takes you inside Alexia Putellas’s debut in the English Women’s Super League, a curious and historic night in Southeast London for big-spending London City Lionesses and owner Michele Kang. The pod also breaks down how London City overcame Manchester United on the pitch in the first match under U
What Rose Lavelle’s contract extension means for Gotham and the USWNT
What Rose Lavelle’s contract extension means for Gotham and the USWNT Sep 4, 2026 33:00 This week, The Athletic confirmed with sources that United States women’s national team midfielder Rose Lavelle has re-signed with Gotham FC through the 2029 season. The story was first reported by ESPN. So, why did Lavelle choose to stay with Gotham? And what does it mean for the USWNT?PLUS: Are we seeing the greatest Golden Boot race in NWSL history? Host Theo Lloyd-Hughes and The Athletic’s Mel

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