Full Time: A show about women's soccer

The start of the 2026 NWSL season is just three weeks away! So, now is a great time to get to know some of the new faces in the league. On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by three exciting rookies preparing for their first professional seasons. First up, highly-rated centerback Elise Evans opened up about her family connections to Stanford, stepping into Naomi Girma’s shoes and why she chose to sign for the Chicago Stars. Then, Utah Royals outside back Kameron Simmonds hops on the show to talk about her transition from being a forward to a defender while winning a national championship at Florida State as well as her history-making memories from the 2023 World Cup with Jamaica. The final rookie interview of the show is with Maja Lardner, a forward for Racing Louisville. Lardner reveals a big goal for 2026 and how she’ll fit into head coach Bev Yanez’s system._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Elise Evans, Kameron Simmonds, Maja LardnerPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:How Jamaica eliminated Brazil from the 2023 Women’s World CupBev 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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

After 13 years and 19 trophies, last week Chelsea parted ways with general manager Paul Green. After a wild few weeks for the Blues, it’s time to wonder if the reigning Women’s Super League Champions are in crisis?On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Cerys Jones and Megan Feringa, who last week reported on Green’s departure and what is going on inside Chelsea this season. What led to Green being ousted? Who is making the decisions at Chelsea now? Can Chelsea salvage their 2025-26 season? What is the latest on Cat Macario’s future, and how is that related to this change in the club’s front office?PLUS: Tamerra Griffin joins the show to analyze the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup that was announced on Tuesday, where Emma Hayes also paid tribute to her former Chelsea colleague Green. So, who is in, who is out for the USWNT? Are we closer to knowing the core group and best XI? What does it mean to have the USWNT’s European stars returning?_______________HOSTS: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Cerys Jones, Megan FeringaPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:USWNT’s Emma Hayes says Paul Green’s dedication to Chelsea was ‘unrivaled’Key Europe-based players return to USWNT roster for SheBelieves Cup; no Catarina MacarioChelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor agrees contract extension to 2030Chelsea part ways with head of women’s football Paul Green_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

In one of the most blockbuster offseason moves in recent NWSL history, Claire Hutton and Croix Bethune both had million-dollar transfers on Wednesday. So, where do these moves leave the players, their respective clubs, and their U.S. women’s national team ambitions? On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin react to Wednesday’s shocking double transfer, which saw Hutton move from the KC Current to Bay FC for $1.1m and Bethune head to the Current from the Washington Spirit for $1m. What has been the fan reaction? Who won the deal? Why did these teams need to make these moves?After that, Hutton joined Full Time for an exclusive interview to share why she decided to sign for Bay, what other options were on the table, and why she is so excited to work with new Bay head coach Emma Coates._______________HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra GriffinPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Bay FC signs USWNT midfielder Claire Hutton in $1.1 million deal with Kansas City CurrentKC Current acquire Croix Bethune from Washington Spirit in $1M transfer_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

Cat Macario has been left off Chelsea’s squad list for the UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout rounds. So, what does this say about the future of the U.S. women’s national team forward and her Chelsea contract that will expire in the summer? On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin break down Macario’s ongoing absence from the Chelsea squad and what it means for head coach Sonia Bompastor to get a new contract through June 2030. Alongside Producer Theo, the trio also get into Arsenal snapping Manchester City’s 13-match winning run and a surprise appearance by pop music legend Madonna at Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. After that, it’s time to talk European continental club soccer as the UEFA Women’s Champions League returns this week with the first-ever playoff knockout rounds. Who are the players to watch, and what excites us most about the tournament’s return? _______________HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra GriffinPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor agrees contract extension to 2030Arsenal’s Olivia Smith and the surprise new role that helped beat WSL leaders Man CityWasteful, disjointed, beatable: What’s to blame for Chelsea’s back-to-back defeats?How far away are Tottenham from catching up with the WSL’s elite?Chelsea part ways with head of women’s football Paul GreenMadonna, soccer mom: Why the Queen of Pop was watching Tottenham’s Under-14 girls’ team_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

The winter transfer window closed in Europe shut this week, but who won the window? And, does it really matter? Why do we obsess so much over transfers and transfer windows? Do they matter? On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin are joined by The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei to analyze the top transfers from the January transfer window. Who will have the biggest impact in 2026? Who is not getting enough people talking? What was the most surprising transfer? After that, the pod looks ahead to the summer transfer window and the many superstar players who have a contract that expires in 2026. Which players could be heading to the NWSL? Which U.S. women’s national team players need to make a move to solidify their chances of making the roster for the 2027 World Cup?_______________HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra GriffinGUEST: Melanie AnzideiPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Who won the WSL transfer deadline day? A better question: Does it matter?To celebrate ex-USWNT Crystal Dunn’s career is to also acknowledge how others failed herTriple Espresso returns: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Mal Swanson reunite ahead of NWSL comebacksWhat we’re hearing in women’s football: Latest on Catarina Macario, Katie McCabe, Alexia Putellas, and more_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

Arsenal are the inaugural winners of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, after defeating Corinthians 3-2 after extra time on Sunday. But does being crowned world inter-continental champions mean anything for the Gunners and their place in global women’s soccer?On this episode of Full Time, Producer Theo is joined by The Athletic’s Charlotte Harpur and Megan Feringa, to analyze the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, where it succeeded and where it failed after a dramatic finale.After that, the trio digs into another memorable weekend in the English Women’s Super League, where Manchester City thrashed Chelsea 5-1, firming up their grip on the title. What makes the City team so special? Can anyone stop them? Is Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor’s future in doubt? And, how will Arsenal and City match up when they meet next weekend?_______________HOST: Theo Lloyd-HughesGUESTS: Charlotte Harpur, Megan FeringaPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:The Champions Cup is here to stay, but FIFA must learn lessons from London teething troubleArsenal beat Corinthians to win inaugural Women’s Champions Cup and $2.3m in prize moneyCorinthians stun Gotham 1-0, will meet Arsenal in FIFA Women’s Champions Cup finalThis Manchester City side is a beast – Chelsea were just its latest preySonia Bompastor ‘happy’ to leave Chelsea ‘if people think I’m not the right person’_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

On Thursday, we saw one of the greatest U.S. women’s national team players of all time hang up their cleats. At age 33, Crystal Dunn has decided to retire from professional soccer.So, on this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin and Melanie Anzidei, as well as Claire Watkins from Just Women’s Sports, to unpack what Dunn’s legacy will be now that she is retiring. What trail did she blaze as a Black player on the USWNT? How did she carve out a unique team-first leadership style? Was she the greatest NWSL player ever? The podcast gets into all that, as well as how Emma Hayes and the next generation will have to try and evolve to fill her spot.PLUS: Producer Theo was in London to catch SC Corinthians Paulista stun NJ/NY Gotham FC in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. Sports Illustrated contributor and Gotham beat writer Jenna Tonelli hopped on the show to discuss what the defeat means for the NWSL. _______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Melanie Anzidei, Tamerra Griffin, Claire Watkins, Jenna TonelliPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:USWNT star Crystal Dunn announces retirement from soccer aged 33USWNT’s Trinity Rodman scores goal in first game as captainCorinthians stun Gotham 1-0, will meet Arsenal in FIFA Women’s Champions Cup finalFIFA Women’s Champions Cup: Who’s competing, where – and what is it?Emma Hayes’ experimental window is over. Now the USWNT sets its sights on the World CupUSWNT’s Emma Hayes on the fatal Minnesota shooting: ‘It’s upsetting on so many levels’Ayo Oke ready to impress Emma Hayes after surprise USWNT call-up: ‘I thought I was dreaming’_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

In the first of two January friendlies – the least-capped U.S women’s national team starting XI in 25 years thrashed Paraguay 6-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park.On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Melanie Anzidei to break down what we learned from that friendly and Trinity Rodman’s first time walking out as captain of the USWNT.After that, Ayo Oke, who is out with the USWNT in California, joins the show to talk about her surprise inclusion in the January camp, what it means to be following her dreams on the national team, and why she left Pachuca for Denver Summit.Then, to close out the show, Producer Theo caught up with The Athletic’s Cerys Jones and Megan Feringa to analyze an enthralling weekend of action at both ends of the table in the English Women’s Super League._______________HOSTS: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Ayo Oke, Melanie Anzidei, Cerys Jones, Megan FeringaPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:USWNT’s Trinity Rodman scores goal in first game as captainTrinity Rodman could have left the NWSL. The Spirit community made it impossible to leaveInside Trinity Rodman’s record new deal and what happens next with the High Impact Player ruleBeing in WSL is a privilege not a right – relegation risk should be taken seriouslyBeth Mead still has huge value to Arsenal, despite questions over her future_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here

The Trinity Rodman contract saga is over. After two months of drama, the U.S. women’s national team forward is staying with the Washington Spirit, signing a new three-year contract to stay with the team through 2028.So, what does this record-breaking contract mean for the payer, the National Women's Soccer League and global women's soccer?On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits and Theo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by the co-host of the Hey Spirits podcast and contributor to The District Press to break down Rodman's new contract and what it all means. Was it a surprise to see such a high salary figure quoted by Rodman's agent? Is this a win for the NWSL? How will the global women's soccer market react? What can we expect from Rodman on the pitch in 2026?_______________HOSTS: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Annie ElliotPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit agree on record three-year deal to keep USWNT star in NWSLTrinity Rodman’s new Spirit deal and what it meansWhy the Women’s League Cup will exclude Champions League clubs from next season_______________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 ⁠⁠hereTake The Athletic's 2026 Listener Survey here