Full Time: A show about women's soccer

The NWSL playoffs are officially here. Eight teams are left chasing a Championship title that will be handed out at the final in Washington, D.C., on November 21.

On this episode of Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin to dive into the bracket, the biggest stories of the postseason, and break down all four quarterfinals matchups ahead of the weekend’s action.

PLUS: Tamerra sits down with star striker of the red-hot Angel City FC, Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir, to get the latest on what the mood is like in Los Angeles, the power of momentum, and the secret to their extraordinary second half of the season.

Then, ahead of the team’s historic first-ever playoff game, Utah Royals captain Paige Cronin stops by to talk to Meg about her leadership style, the mentality of an underdog, and the team’s journey from rejoining the league in 2024 to now.
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL’s early kickoff times for the quarterfinals harm the game: ‘It’s getting old’
The business of winning: Owners from the 8 NWSL playoff teams share their keys to success
Gotham makes history with first NWSL Shield, but its sights are already set on more
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Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
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Gotham FC are your 2026 NWSL Shield champions, 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?

On this episode of Full Time, 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.

PLUS: With the NWSL regular season complete and ballots due this week, The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin give their picks on who should take home the 2026 NWSL Awards. Can Ashley Sanchez still be MVP even though the NC Courage 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?
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HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL Decision Day 2026 recap: Gotham FC wins first Shield; Spirit, Wave and Current lock home games
NWSL original Jess Fishlock takes the spotlight after a career of doing quiet work for Seattle
How ESPN is capitalizing on the NWSL’s biggest Decision Day yet
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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.

29 games down, 1 to go. The longest NWSL regular season ever is reaching its climax, and two teams, Gotham FC and the San Diego Wave, are left duking it out for top spot in the standings and the chance to lift the NWSL Shield.

So, on the show today, we’re going to be debating what winning the NWSL Shield really means. Should the regular season title mean more than a Championship? How do we increase the value of this trophy? And what would winning it mean to the two clubs left chasing the glory?

The podcast also breaks down all things Decision Day. From what will happen on Sunday in the Shield race, who will win the final playoff spot, and which teams can claim a spot in the top four and the right to host a playoff game.
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HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL Decision Day: Explaining what’s at stake on the final day of the regular season
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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
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On Monday, Alexia Putellas was crowned the best player in the world, as she claimed her third Women’s Ballon d’Or trophy.

But what does the Ballon d’Or really tell us about who the best player in the world is? What is the point of this award? Is it really just an exercise in marketing? Or can it truly be a gauge of success and value on the pitch?

On this episode of Full Time, Theo Lloyd-Hughes is joined by The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin to debate the biggest award in the soccer calendar. Charlotte Harpur also joins the show to share her perspective from being in London at the awards to see the Ballon d’Or handed out. And Gotham FC president of soccer operations, Yael Averbuch-West, also breaks down what the Ballon d’Or means for elite clubs.

PLUS: Theo, Meg and Tamerra give their eulogies for all the NWSL teams that have already been eliminated from the playoffs. Which teams have plenty of hope and which teams don’t?
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HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin, Charlotte Harpur
GUEST: Yawl Averbuch-West
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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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 week, reports from The Athletic learned that the cities of Chicago and Portland are returning to the table to place bids to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which is expected to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.

So, on this episode of Full Time, Theo Lloyd-Hughes, Tamerra Griffin, and Meg Linehan debate the case for those two cities to host. What makes a good host city? And what lessons will FIFA and U.S. Soccer have learned from the 2026 men’s World Cup when it comes to making their picks for the women’s edition in five years?

PLUS: The Athletic’s Asli Pelit joins the show to give more details on Portland’s bid. While the pod also discusses the viral video from Angel City FC that riled up the Denver Summit after last weekend’s match in the NWSL, and who is the favorite to win the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or next Monday?
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HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
PANEL: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
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Referenced on the show:
Portland wants to host 2031 Women’s World Cup games. The Bhathal family is helping lead the charge
Chicago want to host the Women’s World Cup after saying ‘no’ to men’s tournament
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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.