{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818801871c041c8cc75b143/6ae866cad64a96f0f3474800?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How Gotham won the Shield & 2026 NWSL Awards picks","description":"<p><strong>Gotham FC </strong>are your<strong> 2026 NWSL Shield champions, </strong>after topping the standings on the final day of the regular season. So, how did Gotham clinch a first-ever Shield in team history, and what other drama unfolded as the playoff spots were locked in?</p><p><br></p><p>On this episode of <strong>Full Time, </strong>moments after the final whistle on Decision Day, the podcast breaks down Gotham’s historic win, San Diego Wave’s second-place finish, and the Seattle Reign squeaking into the eighth and final playoff spot. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>PLUS:</strong> With the NWSL regular season complete and ballots due this week, <strong><em>The Athletic’s Meg Linehan</em></strong><em> </em>and <strong>Tamerra Griffin</strong> give their picks on who should take home the 2026 NWSL Awards. Can <strong>Ashley Sanchez s</strong>till be MVP even though the<strong> NC Courage</strong> missed the playoffs? Why does Coach of the Year feel wide open? And, as wild as it sounds, should Defender of the Year be about defending?</p><p>_______________</p><p>HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes</p><p>PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin</p><p>PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes</p><p>_______________</p><p>Referenced on the show:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7745679/2026/11/01/nwsl-decision-day-2026-recap-gotham-fc-wins-first-shield-spirit-wave-and-current-lock-home-games/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NWSL Decision Day 2026 recap: Gotham FC wins first Shield; Spirit, Wave and Current lock home games</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7744519/2026/11/01/jess-fishlock-nwsl-original-retirement/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NWSL original Jess Fishlock takes the spotlight after a career of doing quiet work for Seattle</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7739039/2026/10/31/espn-nwsl-decision-day-program/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How ESPN is capitalizing on the NWSL’s biggest Decision Day yet</a></p><p>_______________</p><p>Get in touch: <a href=\"mailto:fulltime@theathletic.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠</a></p><p>Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime</p><p>Subscribe to our YouTube channel: <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticfulltime\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></p><p>Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a></p><p>Visit the Yahoo Women&#39;s Sports hub <a href=\"https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠here</a></p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}