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.

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

GUEST: Lori Lindsey

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Gird your loins because the UEFA Women's Champions League final is set between rivals FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes and the only word to describe it is cinematic. But how did we get here?

Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin to break down the semifinal results. Our experts on the ground also chime in. Megan Feringa is talking all things Lyon, and our resident Spanish expert Laia Cervelló Herrero explains the uncertainty that remains despite Barcelona's dominance. Will this year's European final be Alexia Putellas' last with the Spanish giants? Meanwhile, Megan discusses why Michele Kang's vision is going exactly as planned in France.

PLUS: Jill and Tamerra discuss Boston Legacy's first NWSL victory and a pair of legends inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

GUEST: Megan Feringa, Laia Cervelló Herrero

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

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On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits and The Athletic's UK soccer writer Cerys Jones discuss Chelsea defender Millie Bright's retirement. Bright has been a key figure in women's soccer, especially in England, across a period of great evolution. The duo discusses the former England and Women's Super League defender's legacy and what yet another departure means for Chelsea as the club continues to navigate a period of transition.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Cerys Jones

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Chelsea’s Millie Bright retires with immediate effect: How she’ll be remembered

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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Over the last few weeks, the NWSL has debated flipping its Spring to Fall season calendar and instead aligning itself with other top European leagues and the FIFA international schedule by using the Fall to Spring calendar. Ultimately, the NWSL has put the brakes on making any such decision. At least, for now.

On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin were joined by Melanie Anzidei to debate all the angles of what flipping the calendar could mean for the NWSL, its players, teams, fans, stakeholders, stadiums & more. From climate to commercial interests. From wet bulbs to World Cups. When is the right time to make a calendar move? What needs to be figured out before then? And, how does Major League Soccer’s decision to flip to a Fall to Spring calendar in 2027 affect any potential decision for the NWSL?

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

GUEST: Melanie Anzidei

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

NWSL tables vote on flipping schedule to fall-to-spring: Sources

Majority of NWSL players oppose calendar flip, cite concerns over cold-weather conditions

MLS owners vote to flip schedule to European calendar, change format starting in 2027

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

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After 540 days, Sophia Wilson is back scoring in the NWSL. So, what does it mean for the former MVP to net her first goal since returning from the birth of her first child?

Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Asli Pelit to break down the top two games from the NWSL weekend. The Washington Spirit’s 4-0 win over the KC Current at a sold-out Audi Field, and the Portland Thorns’ 2-1 road win over Angel City FC in Los Angeles, where Wilson marked her return. Asli was even in D.C. on Friday to get the scoop on what is behind the Spirit’s two-game win streak that snapped a four-game winless run to start 2026. Who is the Spirit’s new lucky mascot, Jose the coyote?

PLUS: Jill and Theo recap a wild round of first-leg semifinals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. What happened in Munich and London, and who is poised to advance to the final?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Asli Pelit

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Washington Spirit cruise beyond Kansas City Current to maintain José the Coyote’s lucky streak

Portland’s Sophia Wilson scores 95th-minute game winner for first goal as a mom

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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On this episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits sits down with USWNT and Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie for a one-on-one interview. The duo chats about the 20-year-old’s open and honest relationship with Emma Hayes, which started with an email and is now all about how Moultrie can help win a fifth World Cup for the United States. Plus, hear about Moultrie’s journey from being 13 years old in an NWSL locker room, what her best position on the pitch is, and what’s new in Portland after their tremendous start to 2026.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Olivia Moultrie

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

The pieces are falling into place for Portland Thorns after a preseason of uncertainty

USWNT’s Olivia Moultrie agrees to contract extension with Portland Thorns through 2029

USWNT bounces back against Portugal with 2 goals from 20-year-old Olivia Moultrie

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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The NWSL officially has its 18th team. On Tuesday, commissioner Jess Berman announced that Columbus would be joining the league in 2028. The Athletic also understands that the ownership group, Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, have paid a record $205 million in expansion fees to make that happen.

So, how did Columbus win the race to be the NWSL’s 18th team? What was behind their pitch, and what do they intend to bring to the league?

On this episode of Full Time, hosts Jillian Sakovits and Tamerra Griffin were joined by Asli Pelit and Melanie Anzidei to go inside the 2028 expansion news. From what they learned from sitting down with the team owners and the league commissioner, to reflecting on time spent in Columbus, the city’s unique fanbase and state-of-the-art facilities, as well as the tumultuous city council vote and questions from the local community about promises not being kept.

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Melanie Anzidei, Asli Pelit

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Columbus is coming to the NWSL. Some locals are conflicted about it

NWSL awards expansion team to Columbus for record $205 million fee

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

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Another U.S. women’s national team window is in the books. Which means there are now just five FIFA international breaks remaining until Emma Hayes will name her USA squad for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

So, fresh off the USWNT’s three friendlies against Japan, the Full Time podcast gives their latest predictions on who is trending in and out of the roster.

Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Tamerra Griffin and Melanie Anzidei to analyze their 23-payer predictions. Who is leading the goalkeeper rankings? How much does Hayes value versatility in defense? What is the best midfield combination right now? Does there need to be more goal scorers in the forward core?

PLUS: The first round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying concluded during this FIFA window, and the last remaining eight nations now know their fates for November’s elimination tournament, including who the USWNT’s opponent will be.

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HOSTS: Jillian Sakovits, Tamerra Griffin, Melanie Anzidei

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

USWNT 2027 World Cup roster predictions 3.0: Wilson and Davidson return, a possible goalkeeper shift?

USWNT beats Japan 3-0, displaying dominance after Tuesday’s loss

Emma Hayes’ tricky balancing act as USWNT strive for that ‘secret sauce’

USWNT defender Gisele Thompson is finding her way alongside sister Alyssa

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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

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