Denver has officially been announced as the NWSL's 16th expansion team. But how did this ownership group win the bid?

This week on Full Time, Meg Linehan and Theo Lloyd-Hughes focus on understanding what made Denver special.

To help do that, NWSL commissioner Jess Berman joins the show to give the inside scoop on how the league evaluated the bids.

Then, Athletic staff writer Melanie Anzidei discusses her report on the bidding process, the latest news on a stadium, and anecdotes from talking to lead investor Rob Cohen.

Finally, Full Time catches up with For Denver FC co-founder, broadcaster, and Colorado native Jordan Angeli to talk about the community aspect and what NWSL fans can expect as Denver joins the chaos.

There's even time to contemplate who could be Denver's first-ever player.

PLUS: The latest transfer news from around the NWSL, Crystal Dunn and Jenna Nighswonger leave Gotham FC, and plenty of stars extend their contracts, too.

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Articles mentioned on the show:

Inside Denver’s winning NWSL bid: How grassroots and confidence beat stadium plans and Caitlin Clark

After Naomi Girma’s record-breaking transfer, who will be the next major-money move?

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson agree new Angel City contract extensions

USWNT’s Crystal Dunn, Gotham FC agree to mutually part ways

Arsenal and Gotham FC agree to $100,000 transfer of USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger

Chelsea’s unveiling of USWNT star Naomi Girma, the support act to main event of stamping authority on WSL

Portland Thorns, Sophia Smith agree to contract extension: ‘I’m in the prime years of my career’

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Theo Lloyd-Hughes

GUESTS: Jessica Berman, Melanie Anzidei, Jordan Angeli

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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It's an emergency episode of Full Time. 

On Sunday, Chelsea officially announced the transfer of U.S. women's national team defender Naomi Girma from the San Diego Wave for a record fee of $1.1 million. 

Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan break down the deal, from the timeline of Girma's transfer request to the chain reaction around the globe. 

Jessy Parker Humphreys joins from Stamford Bridge where Girma was unveiled ahead of Chelsea's WSL match against Arsenal. Then, Matt Slater unpacks the business and economics of this historic transfer. 

Before closing out, Tamerra and Meg discuss listeners' burning questions about the stunning move, and what it means to see one of the biggest USWNT players leave the NWSL. 

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Articles mentioned on the show:

Chelsea and San Diego finalizing record $1.1 million transfer for USWNT’s Naomi Girma: Sources

USWNT’s Naomi Girma completes Chelsea move for record transfer fee in women’s soccer

The first $1m female footballer will be a defender and that feels just right

USWNT defender Naomi Girma as $1m transfer pioneer should surprise nobody

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Jessy Parker Humphreys, Matt Slater

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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This week on Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan take a deep dive into the new world of NCAA rookie free agency. Since the NWSLPA inked a new CBA with the league in 2024, which abolished the draft, what has it been like to navigate turning pro in this historic offseason?

To help with the discussion, Tamerra and Meg spoke to rookies out of UCLA, Quincy McMahon (now San Diego Wave) and Lilly Reale (now Gotham FC), soccer agent Gabriel Chapman from Inspired XI, and Gotham FC GM Yael Averbuch-West.

PLUS: Meg unpacks her reporting on the impending world-record transfer of Naomi Girma to Chelsea. And, while talking a little NWSL and English WSL crossover, The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur joins the show to give the latest on the title race, an instantly classic Manchester Derby, and what Girma's signing means.

Oh, and yes, the schedule is out. Meg says so.

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Articles mentioned on the show:

Chelsea and San Diego finalizing record $1.1 million transfer for USWNT’s Naomi Girma: Sources

Manchester City complete signing of Kerolin from North Carolina Courage

USWNT defender Naomi Girma as $1m transfer pioneer should surprise nobody

NWSL schedule release: Key matchups, how to watch and the return of Decision Day

Manchester United’s intensity forced City into the errors that sealed historic win

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Charlotte Harpur, Quincy McMahon, Lilly Reale, Gabriel Chapman, Yael Averbuch-West

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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This week on Full Time, Casey Stoney joins the podcast to talk about her brand new job as the head coach of the Canadian women's national team.

Sitting down with Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan, the former Manchester United and San Diego Wave boss reveals her thoughts on why she was the perfect fit, the importance of building trust with players, the legacy she wants to leave in Canada, and how to make the underdog nation a serious contender to win a World Cup in 2027.

And, of course, they make time to chat a little about water coolers and long coats too.

PLUS: Tamerra and Meg unpack and analyze Jaedyn Shaw's transfer from the Wave to the North Carolina Courage, and the Angel City and the community's response to the heartbreaking fires in Los Angeles County.

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Articles mentioned on the show:

Casey Stoney confirmed as new Canada Women head coach

Mark Parsons, former NWSL coach, joins Angel City FC as sporting director: ‘I want to be here for as long as possible’

Canada’s new coach addresses drone scandal: ‘This is an opportunity for us to move forward’

USWNT’s Jaedyn Shaw traded to North Carolina Courage from San Diego Wave

Los Angeles teams, Fanatics donate $11 million in money, merchandise to wildfire victims

Soccer players Carlos Vela and Ali Riley lose homes in L.A. wildfires

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUEST: Casey Stoney

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Donations to LAFD foundation: https://supportlafd.org/

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Happy 2025! It's a new year and a new season of Full Time with Meg Linehan!

As the NWSL offseason heats up, one of the biggest talking points has been: What has been going on at NJ/NY Gotham FC?

Well, to help answer that question, Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West joins the podcast to talk about the transfers out of Lynn Williams and Yazmeen Ryan, the major signing of Brazilian international Gabi Portilho, and what it means for Gotham to be in the spotlight as a top club in the league.

Meg Linehan and Theo Lloyd-Hughes also react to Emma Hayes' first U.S. women's national team roster of 2025, and break down the nuances of what it means for the U-23 players to also be joining up for the 'futures' camp in January.

PLUS: Discussion on what to make of the NWSL dropping its schedule 'footprint' for 2025, the built-in summer break, and the return of the Challenge Cup as curtain raiser between the league's Shield and Championship winners.

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Articles mentioned on the show:

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes looks to ‘bridge a gap’ for ‘lost generation’ with Futures Camp

NWSL’s 2025 schedule footprint: Challenge Cup’s return, summer pause and updated roster rules

San Diego Wave’s Jonas Eidevall says he has ‘no relationship’ with USWNT’s Emma Hayes after clash last year

NWSL expansion adds Denver as 16th team, $110 million fee smashes record: Source

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Theo Lloyd-Hughes

GUESTS: Yael Averbuch West

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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Welcome to the second podcast of our two-part 'Best Of' series, highlighting our favorite moments and episodes from Full Time with Meg Linehan in 2024.

In Part II, Meg Linehan traces a stunning year for the U.S. women's national team. From Emma Hayes's landmark as the new head coach to the 'redeem team' winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

In this compilation, you will also hear interviews with Bri Scurry and Julie Foudy talking 25 years of the 99ers, a chat with breakthrough national team player Emily Sams before she was called up, reaction from the night Lily Yohannes scored on her debut, USWNT U-20s coach Tracey Kevins reflecting on a whirlwind World Cup, and then lots of anecdotes and discussion on the many many emotional goodbyes to USA legends Alyssa Naeher, Kelley O'Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Alex Morgan.

Happy near year from everyone at Full Time. Enjoy one final look back at a historic 2024!

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Podcasts mentioned on the show:

Emma Hayes touches down, is U.S. soccer ready?

A dream USWNT debut for 16-year-old Lily Yohannes

Celebrating 25 years of the 99ers with Julie Foudy and Briana Scurry

Olympic Gold for the USWNT after Alyssa Naeher heroics

Pathways and potential: A deep dive into the USYNT and the 2024 U-20 Women's World Cup

Farewell Alex Morgan: Grappling with the USWNT legend's sudden retirement with Jordan Angeli

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Bri Scurry, Julie Foudy, Emma Hayes, Steph Yang, Emily Sams, Tracey Kevins, Jordan Angeli

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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

A legendary 2024 is drawing to a close. So Full Time has compiled a two-part 'Best Of' series to highlight our favorite moments and episodes from this past season.

In Part I, Tamerra Griffin guides you through the year's best NWSL interviews and discussions.

Re-live a conversation with Brianna Pinto, taking you inside the game-changing new collective bargaining agreement. Catch up with the record-shattering Temwa Chawinga and her appreciation for African fans bringing her traditional food to NWSL stadiums. Don't miss retracing a historic season for the Orlando Pride, the peerless Shield and Championship winners.

Plus, more highlights and chats from the 2024 NWSL season. Thank you for listening during this spectacular year, and we can't wait to see you in 2025.

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Podcasts mentioned on the show:

Inside the landmark new NWSL CBA with Brianna Pinto

Inside the Orlando Pride's journey to NWSL greatness with Haley Carter

Giving Temwa Chawinga her flowers

Juneteenth: Celebrating the culture with Croix Bethune

Hal Hershfelt interview, and NWSL awards debate

Orlando Pride are champions, and talking NWSL growth with Melissa Etheridge and Lo LaBonta

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Brianna Pinto, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt, Temwa Chawinga, Jereko, Steph Yang, Haley Carter

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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On this week's podcast, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan answer an array of listener questions. Those brilliant queries ranged from how to fix the USA midfield to whether the NWSL's elite teams will stay on top in 2025 and even what's your favorite charcuterie cheese.

In addition to opening up the mailbag, Tamerra and Meg also take a moment to pay tribute to U.S. women's national team legend Becky Sauerbrunn, who announced her retirement from soccer this week.

The duo also breaks down the reports that Denver will become the 16th NWSL expansion club and join the league in 2026 while also sharing their feelings on the women's EURO 2025 draw.

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Articles & podcasts mentioned on the show

Becky Sauerbrunn, former USWNT captain and 2-time World Cup champion, retires from pro soccer

NWSL in final stages of adding expansion team in Denver: Source

Breaking down the Euro 2025 draw, plus NWSL free agents to monitor

BOS Nation FC is set to join NWSL in 2026, but a lawsuit over the stadium could derail the debut

PODCAST: BOS Nation launch fiasco

PODCAST: Has Spanish women's soccer changed since the 2023 World Cup?

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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This week on Full Time, Meg Linehan is joined by The Athletic's Barcelona-based Spanish soccer writer Laia Cervello to discuss the state of the country's women's national team.

On November 1, Netflix released a documentary titled 'It's All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football' about Spain's 2023 World Cup triumph and the aftermath that brought the federation into disrepute.

But, 16 months later, the Full Time podcast wonders, has Spanish football really changed all that much?

Cervello sheds light on how new head coach Montse Tomé is perceived, what sort of investment (or lack thereof) is happening in Liga F, as well as breaking down the context behind some of the key scenes from the Netflix documentary.

PLUS: It has been a very busy week in the NWSL, with stadium issues escalating in Boston and end-of-season roster retention lists due at the league HQ. So, with Tamerra Griffin away on holiday, producer Theo Lloyd-Hughes hops on the show to unpack all the latest news with Meg.

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What I learned from Netflix’s ‘The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football’ documentary

Another Spain women controversy – Why have Jenni Hermoso, Irene Paredes and Misa Rodriguez been left out?

BOS Nation FC hire former FC Barcelona executive as new general manager

BOS Nation FC is set to join NWSL in 2026, but a lawsuit over the stadium could derail the debut

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HOSTS: Meg Linehan, Theo Lloyd-Hughes

GUESTS: Laia Cervello

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

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Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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This week on Full Time, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan unpack the USWNT's eventful final matches of 2024 against England and the Netherlands.

To help do that, The Athletic's Charlotte Harpur and Megan Feringa pop in to offer their perspective from being at those friendlies in London and The Hague.

Which players stood out, and which struggled? How did the home fans receive Emma Hayes on her return to Wembley Stadium? Do the Lionesses view the USWNT as their biggest rival? Will the American midfield ever get fixed?

PLUS: Tamerra and Meg discuss the failure of the NWSL to protect Barbra Banda amid racist and transphobic attacks and bad-faith media in women's sports needs to be called out.

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

Alyssa Naeher stays true to her stoic ways in final game, but U.S. teammates are full of emotion

Wales reach first major women’s tournament; Rhian Wilkinson: ‘A generation that’s going to change everything’

Carli Lloyd undoubtedly earned her National Soccer Hall of Fame induction, and few will argue

Former USWNT coach Jill Ellis leaving San Diego Wave role to become FIFA’s chief football officer

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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUESTS: Charlotte Harpur, Megan Feringa

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here.

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