Share

cover art for Emma Hayes' NWSL road trip: Soccer, drums and babies

Full Time: A show about women's soccer

Emma Hayes' NWSL road trip: Soccer, drums and babies

Over the last few weeks, U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has toured the NWSL, attending matches, playing the drums and holding babies. While it's not out of the ordinary for coaches to do such scouting trips, the central role Hayes is taking is certainly a different approach. With the 2027 Women's World Cup more than a year away, are these trips relationship-building, marketing-driven, or football-driven? Or a combination of all three.


On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin were joined by former U.S. international and current analyst Lori Lindsey to discuss what it's like to have your national team coach watch you perform for your club, especially as a player hoping to jump up the depth chart. The group also takes a look at Hayes' approach and ponders her role as the face of the U.S. women's national team. They also review what she might have seen from certain players along the way and preview her final stop, Saturday's Gotham FC vs. Boston Legacy match.

_______________

HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

GUEST: Lori Lindsey

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Women's Soccer's guide to the men's World Cup

    37:15|
    On this episode of Full Time Review, The Athletic’s Meg Linehan sits down with Head of Brand and Integrated Marketing for the NWSL, Andrew LeRay, to discuss the NWSL’s plan to engage fans during the men’s World Cup. The two talk about the league’s bus tour, the upcoming Challenge Cup and bringing in new fans. Then, host Jillian Sakovits and Meg talk about how women’s soccer fans can engage with the tournament._______________HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Meg LinehanGUEST: Andrew LeRayThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________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
  • Gotham’s $35 million dollar training facility with Yael Averbuch West

    26:12|
    On this episode of Full Time Focus, The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei sits down with Gotham FC head of soccer operations Yael Averbuch West for a conversation about Gotham’s new training facility. They discuss the details about the training center and how it will help further the ambitions of the club. Then host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan to continue the discussion. _______________HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan GUEST: Yael Averbuch WestThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________Referenced on the show:Gotham FC to construct $35 million training facility, a first for the club: ‘This is absolutely huge’_______________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
  • U.S. women fight back in Brazil

    37:03|
    The second United States-Brazil match had it all: eight red cards, an own goal and the Americans’ first victory in Brazil since 1997.Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan to break down the play on the field and the misconduct, including the ejection of Brazil manager Arthur Elias. Then, Meg and Jill look back at the history of the rivalry and look ahead to what it might mean for a potential U.S.-Brazil clash at the 2027 World Cup – and whether legend Marta might actually say goodbye on home turf._______________HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Meg LinehanThis podcast was produced by The Athletic.______________Referenced on the show:Red-card clash the latest in a fierce USWNT-Brazil rivalry: ‘A team that broke our hearts’Brazil outraged after red cards in USWNT defeat: ‘The players were disrespected’Brazil shown 8 red cards in physical 1-0 loss to USWNT______________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
  • Grades for the U.S. women's performance after loss to Brazil

    35:27|
    On this episode of Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan to give the USWNT some grades on their performance in their 2-1 loss to Brazil and look forward to Tuesday’s game. Later, Jillian is joined by USWNT and San Diego Wave defender Kennedy Wesley. The duo discuss Wesley’s trip so far, coming up against her Brazilian club teammates and the Wave’s rise to the top of the NWSL table._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Meg Linehan, Kennedy WesleyThis podcast was produced by The Athletic.
  • Manifesting with U.S. midfielder Croix Bethune

    23:25|
    On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits sits down with USWNT and Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune for a one-on-one interview. The duo chats about the 25-year-old’s career-shaping move away from Washington Spirit, the U.S. women's national team's trip to Brazil one year before the World Cup and her three manifestations for 2026. Plus, hear Croix's thoughts on Current head coach Chris Armas, what it's like to have Triple Espresso back with the national team and the brook she brought with her to Brazil._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Croix BethuneThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________Referenced on the show:Mallory Swanson returns to USWNT as ‘Triple Espresso’ reunites for Brazil friendliesTriple Espresso, to go: USWNT trio happy to be back together ahead of friendlies in BrazilNWSL championship returning to Washington, D.C., in 2026: 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
  • NWSL at the break: What we're buying, selling & debating

    50:00|
    Trinity Rodman is thriving, Sam Kerr is leaving Chelsea and possibly heading back to the NWSL — and Meg Linehan is back with a lot of questions. A third of the way through the 2026 season, Jillian and Tamerra are in the hot seat as Meg puts the league's biggest narratives to the buy or sell test. Are the Utah Royals for real? Will the Washington Spirit finally break their runners-up curse with the championship coming to DC? And can the salary cap keep up with a league growing faster than anyone expected? Buckle up._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin and Meg LinehanThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________Referenced on the show:NWSL championship returning to Washington, D.C., in 2026: SourcesNWSL predictions, trends and where things stands at the midseason break_______________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
  • Is the U.S. ready for 2 top women's professional soccer leagues?

    38:10|
    She said she was still here — and then she proved it. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's dramatic contract saga ended with a record deal, a Wembley goal and a domestic double for Manchester City. Meanwhile across the Atlantic, Barbra Banda's stunning NWSL season hit a frightening pause. And in Lexington, Kentucky, a team that finished dead last a year ago lifted a championship trophy in front of a sellout crowd. Women's football never stops delivering._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Tamerra Griffin and Meg LinehanThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________Referenced on the show:Khadija Shaw will earn at least £1.6m per year at Manchester City: Why the deal is so significantChelsea confirm Katie McCabe signing from Arsenal on three-year dealThere is cynicism about the World Sevens — but this is why women’s football needs it_______________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
  • U.S. forward Madison Haley's journey from Dallas to Brighton

    33:19|
    On this episode of Full Time Focus, The Athletic’s Megan Feringa sits down with Brighton forward Madison Haley for a conversation about her journey from Dallas, Texas to Brighton. They discuss Haley’s decision to play abroad instead of in the NWSL, her best-ever season with Brighton and the importance of Buc-ee’s._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Madison HaleyThis podcast was produced by The Athletic._______________Referenced on the show:Brighton reach Women’s FA Cup final and set ambitions high: ‘We want to be historic’_______________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
  • U.S. women's national team welcomes back Triple Espresso

    39:21|
    On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to break down the latest U.S women's national team roster headlined by the return of Triple Espresso: Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman. The duo discusses notable omissions from the roster, including North Carolina's Ashley Sanchez, and looks forward to the team’s doubleheader against Brazil in June. Tamerra also gives her wild card pick to be selected for the 2027 World Cup roster. They also recap Club America’s win over the Washington Spirit in the Concacaf W Champions Cup._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUEST: Tamerra GriffinThis podcast was produced by The Athletic.______________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