Full Time: A show about women's soccer

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

After a record-breaking season, the Kansas City Current made a shock head coaching switch and in came Chris Armas for his first-ever job in professional women's soccer. So, who is this U.S. men's national team Hall of Famer turned MLS coach who has scored one of the biggest club jobs in the women's game? On this episode of Full Time, host Jilian Sakovits sits down for a personal one-on-one interview with Armas to discuss his journey to Kansas City and the NWSL. How does he view himself as an elite coach with a lot to learn about the league and his players? Why did he take the position? Is he aware of his position as an "outsider"? How will Armas and former head coach turned global sporting director Vlatko Andonovski collaborate? After that, it's time to go from one 2025 NWSL trophy winner to another. Theo Lloyd-Hughes caught up with Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros from the team's preseason camp in Spain. After a brief 41-day offseason, the reigning NWSL Champions are back together and preparing for the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup and what could be 42 games in 10 months in 2026._______________HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Theo Lloyd-HughesGUESTS: Chris Armas, Juan Carlos AmorosPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:KC Current coach says timing of NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga’s return ‘still unclear’Former USMNT midfielder Chris Armas named Kansas City Current head coachNWSL releases 2026 schedule: Challenge Cup changes, Rivalry Week and men’s World Cup impactIs Gotham a dynasty now?Gotham FC get NWSL Championship celebrations right second time around_______________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

Manchester City are six points clear at the top of the English Women's Super League table, but they're not stopping there. What does the blockbuster arrival of U.S. women's national team midfielder Sam Coffey, for $875k from the Portland Thorns, mean for City's title aspirations and the rest of the WSL? On this episode of Full Time, Producer Theo is joined by The Athletic's Megan Feringa and Charlotte Harpur to get into all the biggest stories from the WSL as the second half of the season gets underway. Is the title race down to two contenders? Why has Chelsea fallen behind? What's going on with Arsenal and their decision to renew the contract of head coach Renee Slegers? How bold is the investment in Manchester United this January? What has been key to the renaissance at Spurs? _______________HOST: Theo Lloyd-HughesGUESTS: Megan Feringa, Charlotte HarpurPRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:What we’re hearing in women’s football: Latest on Cat Macario, Katie McCabe, Alexia Putellas, and moreManchester City sign USWNT’s Sam Coffey from Portland Thorns for $875kThe WSL’s top-four battle has been split in twoArsenal leading race for Georgia Stanway as midfielder confirms Bayern Munich summer exitArsenal head coach Renee Slegers signs new long-term contractManchester United Women sign Hanna Lundkvist, Lea Schuller on deals to 2029Chelsea’s attack is key in the Champions League. Will the handbrake be released?_______________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 expansion team Denver Summit got its hometown star, announcing this week that U.S. captain Lindsey Heaps is headed home this summer. So why did Heaps make the move to swap Champions League to the Centennial State?On this episode of Full Time, The Athletic's Melanie Anzidei sat down with Heaps to go inside the big signing and why the 31-year-old was sold on the Summit and the opportunity to launch women's soccer in her home state. How will the move affect Heaps's USWNT ambitions? What has changed in the NWSL since Heaps left the Portland Thorns in 2022?PLUS: After that, The Athletic's Tamerra Griffin is joined by Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons for an in-depth look inside the Los Angeles club's offseason business, headlined by the statement transfer of USWNT defender Emily Sams from Orlando Pride for $650,000._______________HOSTS: Theo Lloyd-Hughes, Melanie Anzidei, Tamerra GriffinGUESTS: Lindsey Heaps, Mark Parsons PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps to join Denver in June: ‘Everything seems right to come home’Angel City acquires USWNT defender Emily Sams in trade with Orlando for $650,000USWNT star Lindsey Heaps is coming home. Plus: Trinity Rodman returns to U.S. squad_______________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

Emma Hayes has announced her first U.S. women's national team roster of 2026 and it looks a bit different from normal. So, what's the method behind this experimental January camp?On this episode of Full Time, Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Melanie Anzidei to break down the USWNT's January roster and dive into what we learned from Hayes's press conference on Thursday. What young players need to step up? Why is this window different for Trinity Rodman? What next for the absent Sam Coffey?PLUS: After that, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce joins the show to talk about her debut season playing in the UEFA Women's Champions League, the return of the English Women's Super League from its winter break this upcoming weekend and her scientific approach to life and improving as a soccer player. Tullis-Joyce is one of several European-based USWNT players unable to join the January window, so she also opens up about how she stays in contact with Hayes and her teammates when she can't report to camp._______________HOST: Jillian SakovitsGUESTS: Melanie Anzidei, Phallon Tullis-JoycePRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:Trinity Rodman returns to USWNT roster for January camp, four first-time call-ups includedManchester City in advanced talks to sign USWNT’s Sam Coffey from Portland ThornsArsenal head coach Renee Slegers signs new long-term contractFormer USMNT midfielder Chris Armas named Kansas City Current head coachNWSL adds rule allowing stars to be paid $1m above cap despite players’ union oppositionNWSL 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

The NWSL Players' Association has opposed the league's new High Impact Player rule, but what exactly is at the root of the opposition? And, what is the timeline for a resolution? On this episode of Full Time, The Athletic's Tamerra Griffin is joined by the executive director of the NWSLPA, Meghann Burke, to talk through the union's stance and what comes next. What part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is being contested? How does the NWSLPA interpret things differently from the league? Can NWSL players sign High Impact Player contracts despite the NWSLPA's stance? What comes next for Trinity Rodman and the ongoing grievances between the league and NWSLPA?_______________HOST: Tamerra GriffinGUEST: Meghann BurkePRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-HughesVIDEO PRODUCER: Lia GriffinEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen_______________Referenced on the show:NWSL’s new ‘high impact’ rule prioritizes a small pool of superstars – and they must be marketableNWSL adds rule allowing stars to be paid $1m above cap despite players’ union oppositionNWSL 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 negotiations explained: Why did NWSL reject the Spirit’s offer and what’s next?_______________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