The NWSL is coveting new eyeballs and growth. But, after an announcement that the league would be establishing a "league supporter's group" as a sponsorship collaboration with an energy drink named Unwell, many are wondering if the NWSL actually understands soccer fans.

This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan discuss tension in the relationship between the league and its supporters. With the help of voices from four different NWSL supporter's groups from across the country, Tamerra and Meg unpack what values are most important to key community stakeholders and where the NWSL might well be falling short.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Full Time Newsletter: Feeling ‘Unwell’ about a brand activation

Fan who used hateful language toward Barba Banda banned by Gotham FC

NWSL missed a chance to help Barbra Banda amid bad-faith attacks. More are inevitable

State of the League: Before the NWSL can take on the world, it must find its place in the U.S.

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUESTS: Jaimie Calderon, Tina Ettlin, Douglas Reyes-Ceron, Kirsten Ross

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 385 days, Midge Purce is back. On Sunday, the USWNT forward made her NWSL return from an ACL injury.

But what does Purce's return mean for Gotham FC? A club

On this week's Full Time Review, staff writer at The Athletic Asli Pelit hosts a discussion of the weekend's NWSL action. Starting with the scene in New Jersey to witness Purce's comeback and Gotham's first win, then moving to the continued perfection of Orlando Pride and KC Current at the top of the standings and signs of life for the Chicago Stars.

PLUS: Megan Feringa hops on the pod to give her verdict on the English women's FA Cup semifinals, Olivia Smith's determination, and another Phallon Tullis-Joyce masterclass.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Gotham FC forward Midge Purce returns to the field a year after ACL injury

Alanna Kennedy, toughest player in women’s soccer?

_______________

HOST: Asli Pelit

GUEST: Megan Feringa

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women's sports may be booming, but establishing a bright future might rely on understanding the past.

On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jilian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan, who last week sat down for a one-on-one interview with sports icon Billie Jean King in Los Angeles to talk all things women's sports. With clips from that conversation interspersed, Meg talks about how BJK emphasized the importance of knowing your history, investment, and the need for women's sports to progress even faster.

PLUS: Jilian and Producer Theo give their women's FA Cup semifinal predictions and look ahead to Week 4 of the NWSL.

_______________

Mentioned on the show:

Emma Hayes is putting her USWNT players in the frying pan. Who can handle the heat?

Michele Kang on $25 million U.S. Soccer investment: ‘It’s a very critical moment for all of us’

Who is Emma Hayes building the USWNT around?

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Meg Linehan

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USWNT's April window is over. A California double-header against Brazil resulted in one win and one defeat.

So, what have we learned from these two matches? As Emma Hayes continues her year of discovery, who is at the core of her roster? Who is she building the future USWNT around?

This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are joined by The Athletic's Jeff Rueter to analyze the USA's two performances against Brazil while also trying to answer some big questions about the present and future of this roster.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Emma Hayes is putting her USWNT players in the frying pan. Who can handle the heat?

USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson’s resurgence on the field is a lesson in resilience

Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang invests $25 million in U.S. Soccer for women’s soccer development

Michele Kang on $25 million U.S. Soccer investment: ‘It’s a very critical moment for all of us’

Trinity Rodman scores in first game back with USWNT, helping defeat Brazil 2-0

USWNT no longer has a goalkeeping succession plan, leaving opportunity in net wide open

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUEST: Jeff Rueter

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by staff writer at The Athletic Tamerra Griffin to discuss the USWNT's 2-0 win over Brazil at SoFi Stadium.

How did SoFi Stadium handle its first-ever women's sports event? How important was Trinity Rodman on her return? Did Los Angeles local Alyssa Thompson have her best international performance yet?

Ahead of the second friendly with Brazil on Tuesday in San Jose, Tamerra also ponders what USWNT head coach Emma Hayes still needs to see from her developmental squad.

PLUS: Jillian and Producer Theo round up some eye-catching results from around the world of international soccer. From an eclectic friendly in Kansas City to a surprise intercontinental result in Osaka.

_______________

Articles referenced on the show:

Trinity Rodman scores in first game back with USWNT, helping defeat Brazil 2-0

USWNT no longer has a goalkeeping succession plan, leaving opportunity in net wide open

USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson’s resurgence on the field is a lesson in resilience

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USA is all but confirmed to co-host the 2031 Women's World Cup.

The news is not official just yet but comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in an address that the Americans were part of a lone bid for 2031, while the UK was the sole bidder for 2035.

On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jilian Sakovits and the newest member of The Athletic's global women's soccer team, Asli Pelit Basker, react to the news, break down the procedure that remains to ratify the decision while also unpacking what FIFA, U.S. Soccer, and Concacaf need to overcome.

PLUS: Charlotte Harpur joins the show to analyze Manchester United's decision to extend the contract of head coach Marc Skinner.

Jilian and Producer Theo touch on more NWSL news and what they're looking out for when the USWNT faces Brazil this weekend.

_______________

Articles from the show:

FIFA confirms U.S.-Mexico, UK as sole bidders for 2031, 2035 Women’s World Cups

For 2026 World Cup traveling fans, U.S. visa policy, wait times present roadblocks

Women’s World Cup: Why U.S./Mexico pivoted from 2027 to ‘record-breaking’ bid for 2031

Zambia withdraws four NWSL players from matches in China over United States ‘travel measures’

Fan who used hateful language toward Barba Banda banned by Gotham FC

Viral goal puts Gerard Pique’s women’s soccer league in the spotlight

Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner signs new two-year contract

Podcast episodes mentioned on the show:

Lily Yohannes: How the teenage USWNT star is meeting the moment

USWNT roster breakdown and strategy for Brazil friendlies

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Asli Pelit Basker, Charlotte Harpur

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ajax and USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes joins the Full Time podcast for a special interview this week.

The teenager talks about her extraordinary rise, her focus on living in the moment, her relationship with Emma Hayes, her life in Amsterdam, and her experience developing in the European academy system.

Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan also share their reflections on watching Yohannes emerge and how the upcoming Brazil friendlies are yet another spotlight for her to step into.

Plus, Tamerra talks about her exciting new announcement at The Athletic's global women's soccer team grows.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Who is Lily Yohannes? The 16-year-old USWNT goal-scorer breaking through at Ajax

Previewing USWNT’s gold medal rematch. Plus, meet our new writers!

Lily Yohannes picks USWNT over Netherlands: What Ajax teen’s decision means for Emma Hayes’ squad

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUEST: Lily Yohannes

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another NWSL weekend, another win for the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current. But which team is leading the way?

On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits debates which of the league's perfect two frontrunners looks more impressive heading into the international break.

Jillian also has a look back on the weekend's action. From Tierna Davidson's cruel knee injury to Trinity Rodman's ongoing back issues and a whip-around Europe to check in on the U.S. women's national team players. abroad.

PLUS: What did we learn from Ashely Hatch and Temwa Chawinga's creative and amusing goal celebrations?

_______________

Articles referenced on the show:

Gotham FC defender Tierna Davidson leaves match after non-contact leg injury

Trinity Rodman returns to the USWNT, Emma Hayes continues to work around notable absences

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recently elected as the new President of the NWSL Players Association, Kansas City Current forward Haley Hopkins joins Full Time Focus to talk about her vision for the role.

Also on the podcast, host Jillian Sakovitz gets you ready for Week 3 in the NWSL by looking back on the historic rivalry between the Portland Thorns and the North Carolina Courage.

Meg Linehan stops by to talk about Boston Legacy FC and the NWSL's investigation into alleged abusive comments made by a fan at Barbra Banda during a match in New Jersey last weekend.

Producer Theo has a round-up of the UEFA Women's Champions League quarterfinal second legs, featuring Jessy Parker Humphreys calling into the show moments after Chelsea completed a historic comeback at Stamford Bridge.

_______________

Articles from the show:

NWSL, Gotham FC, Pride, NWSLPA address ‘incident involving hateful language’ directed at Barbra Banda

Introducing Boston Legacy FC: NWSL expansion team announces new name

Chelsea defeat Manchester City to reach Champions League semi-finals: Is this their year?

How Arsenal and Chelsea overturned 2-0 deficits to reach Women’s Champions League semi-finals

How Arsenal stunned Real Madrid: Calmness, resilience and aggressive in-game decisions

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Haley Hopkins, Meg Linehan, Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan analyze Emma Hayes' latest U.S. women's national team roster for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil.

Who are the new faces and the notable absentees? With no major tournament on the horizon, how important is talent identification versus relationship building? And, what sort of reaction will Hayes be looking for after the defeat to Japan in February?

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Trinity Rodman returns to the USWNT, Emma Hayes continues to work around notable absences

USWNT to face Republic of Ireland in set of summer friendlies, returning to Colorado

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices