Full Time: A show about women's soccer

On a special Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) episode of Full Time, Malawi forward and two-time NWSL MVP Temwa Chawinga joins the talk with Tamerra Griffin about how she’s feeling ahead of her first continental tournament and what it would mean to qualify for her and Malawi’s first-ever World Cup.

PLUS: Washington Spirit sporting director James Hocken also joins the pod to explain how NWSL teams prepare their rosters to lose stars during midseason international tournaments, such as WAFCON. Also, after the Spirit signed three African players this summer, he gives his thoughts on why the continent is producing so many NWSL stars.
_______________
HOST: Tamerra Griffin
GUESTS: Temwa Chawinga, James Hocken
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
_______________
_______________
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer, Tori Penso became the first American woman to be a head referee at a men’s World Cup match. That piece of soccer history followed on from her taking the women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, three years ago. Along with her assistants, Brooke Mayo and Kathrin Nesbitt, Penso has been blazing a trail for women referees in the men’s and women’s games. So, what is it like to referee at a World Cup?

On this episode of Full Time, hosts Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin are joined by Penso to take the listener inside the World Cup from a referee’s perspective. The interview also unpacks Penso’s journey to being one of the world’s elite officials, how technology is impacting her profession, and what she wants fans and players alike to know about what it’s like to be under so much scrutiny on the pitch.
______________

HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
GUEST: Tori Penso
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
______________
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 104 matches in 39 days, the 2026 Men’s World Cup is officially in the books. Up next - less than one year away - the countdown to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil has now officially begun.

On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Melanie Anzidei to discuss what lessons are to be learned from the 2026 Men’s World Cup, what impact this summer will have on the women’s game, and how the NWSL can keep the momentum going all the way into Brazil 2027.

PLUS: Jill, Meg and Melanie discuss their picks of the best moments from the NWSL weekend. From Rose Lavelle buzzer beaters to a homecoming in Colorado.
_______________
HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Meg Linehan, Melanie Anzidei
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
_______________
Referenced on the show:
The 1994 World Cup influenced a generation of Americans. What will 2026’s impact be?
USWNT star Lindsey Heaps makes Denver Summit debut in hometown return to NWSL
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is less than a year away: Key questions for the USWNT
Which countries have qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?: Countdown to Brazil
_______________
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The USL W League national final between Vermont Green FC and Salmon Bay FC is this Saturday evening. What is the significance of this matchup in the broader American soccer landscape?

Hosts Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin discuss the developmental value of this pre-professional league and the opportunities grassroots soccer clubs offer players and coaches. Then, Meg and Tamerra are joined by Vermont head coach Abby Carchio and Salmon Bay head coach Malia Arrant to preview the championship match – which could feature an appearance by former Seattle Reign great Lauren “Lu” Barnes.
_______________
HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
GUESTS: Abby Carchio, Malia Arrant
PRODUCER: Karan Lodha
_______________
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the women’s soccer world prepares for its first-ever NWSL match in the Big Apple, Wednesday’s ‘Queens Classic’ between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, it’s time to zoom out and look at the big picture of what is going on between the league and the largest – and arguably most influential – city in the United States. What does it mean for Gotham and the NWSL to move into NYC?

Hosts Jillian Sakovits and Meg Linehan talk to Gotham owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett about how they created their marquee matchup in NYC the same week as the men’s World Cup final, as well as how the club is trying to match ambition with infrastructure by building a new training center and moving the club to a new New York City stadium permanently in 2028.

After that, NWSL Chief Operating Officer Sarah Jones Simmer and Vice-President of Sporting Sarah Gregorius join the show to unpack how the league is trying to keep the momentum of the ‘Queens Classic’ and the men’s World Cup rolling, as well as the importance of sporting and business symbiosis with European soccer.
______________

HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Meg Linehan
GUESTS: Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Sarah Jones Simmer, Sarah Gregorius
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
______________
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.