This week on Full Time, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan sit down with Lisa Cole for a special feature interview.

Cole has had an eclectic journey to now being the head of player pathways at the USWNT, and a backroom staff member under Emma Hayes. Over the past 20 years, her journey has gone from the college game to the fall of the WPS, the creation of the NWSL, to Papua New Guinea and Fiji, as well as a recent influential spell at the Zambian football federation.

On the show, the trio also discuss the challenges women face as they try to become head coaches in the professional game. Why don't more pathways exist for female coaches? What has changed or not changed in the past 20 years? How can the industry change and start providing better opportunities?

While Cole may not be a household name, she remains one of the most respect names in the industry. She is someone revered by her peers, the most influential coach you've never heard of.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Only two NWSL teams have a woman as head coach. Could expansion exacerbate the issue?

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUEST: Lisa Cole

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits looks back over Matchweek 7 of the NWSL season. From the league's first-ever 'Sister Sister' goal, to how likely it is that Seattle Reign and the Portland Thorns can build on their recent marquee results and become contenders.

To unpack the NWSL chaos, Jillian is joined by The Athletic's Asli Pelit, who also takes the listener inside a special one-off night on Broadway with Gotham FC's Midge Purce.

PLUS: Meg Linehan stops by to talk about London City Lionesses' dramatic promotion to the English Women's Super League, and owner Michele Kang's ambition.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Backstage with Midge Purce as the Gotham and USWNT forward makes her Broadway debut in ‘Chicago’

⁠Michele Kang’s London City Lionesses promoted to WSL for first time

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Asli Pelit, 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by Angel City and U.S. youth national team midfielder Kennedy Fuller.

The teenager, in her sophomore season as a professional, talks about how she's grown from her rookie season, the challenges young players face in the NWSL, her relationship with Emma Hayes, and her USWNT ambitions.

PLUS: Jillian and producer Theo discuss what's next for the Chicago Stars after firing head coach Lorne Donaldson just six matches into the season, and more NWSL news to know ahead of the weekend's matches.

_______________

Mentioned on the show:

⁠Chicago Stars fires head coach Lorne Donaldson⁠

The Chelsea dynasty: How they celebrated an ‘unbelievable’ sixth Women’s Super League title in a row

Tom Brady tells Birmingham fans to ‘show up’ for promotion clash with Michele Kang’s London City Lionesses

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Kennedy Fuller

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, we learned that the NWSL submitted an application to U.S. Soccer to create its very own second division soccer league. The NWSL's intent for a new reserve league came just weeks after WPSL Pro had been awarded second division sanctioning for its league.

All this has got us wondering at Full Time: What is the landscape of American women’s soccer right now? What should a second division women’s soccer league look like within that landscape? And why are there so many of them popping up right now?

The Athletic's Jeff Rueter also joins the show to talk about his column looking at the history of lower division soccer in the U.S. and what the NWSL needs to be aware of as it moves forward.

And, hear from industry leaders across the country, Andrea Yoch (MN Aurora FC, USL-W), Jamie Levoy (California Storm, WPSL), and Chris Petrucelli (Dallas Trinity, USL-Super League) who share their insights on what the most vital parts of the women's soccer ecosystem really are.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

A lower-division league is good for women’s soccer. But is NWSL’s proposal the solution?

NWSL requested permission to start a new second division. What does it mean for women’s soccer?

NWSL submits application to U.S. Soccer for second division professional women’s league

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUESTS: Jeff Rueter, Andrea Yoch, Jamie Lovey, Chris Petrucelli

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just as the NWSL was flirting with predictability, Week 6 delivered one of the most entertaining and dramatic weekends in the league's recent memory.

On this week's Full Time Review, Theo Lloyd-Hughes and Melanie Anzidei break down what was behind the extraordinary comebacks in Week 6 of the NWSL, as well as what is helping to organically evolve the rivalry between the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC.

PLUS: A historic Sunday of UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal action. How did Arsenal pull off a shock in France? Why is Barcelona still so far ahead of Chelsea?

The Athletic's Megan Feringa and Charlotte Harpur joined the podcast live from Stamford Bridge to share their thoughts and analysis.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Arsenal reach first Women’s Champions League final since 2007 after win over Lyon

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 4 (2-8 agg): Quadruple hopes end, system change disaster, Barcelona irrepressible

NWSL teams are embracing tension, new and old: ‘People love a good sports rivalry’

NWSL requested permission to start a new second division. What does it mean for women’s soccer?

_______________

HOST: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

GUEST: Melanie Anzidei, Charlotte Harpur, 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Full Time Focus, host Jilian Sakovits sits down with North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas.

The two talk candidly about the Courage's challenging start to the season and the importance of trusting the process, especially when things aren't going your way. Nahas opens up about how the Courage can get the best out of Jaedyn Shaw, why he's taking a break from social media, and his deep admiration for Pep Guardiola.

PLUS: Later on, Amelia Lopez, of the Our Futbol podcast, joins the show to help shine a light on the LigaMX Femenil playoffs, which began this week. Who are the players and storylines that you need to know? And which teams are primed to win the 2025 Clausura title?

_______________

Mentioned on the show:

Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday joins North Carolina Courage NWSL team ownership group

USWNT midfielder Jaedyn Shaw reflects on trade to Courage: ‘I just wanted to be playing a certain style’

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Sean Nahas, Amelia Lopez

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NWSL has always prided itself on chaos. A league where anyone can beat anyone.

But five weeks into the 2025 season, things are looking awfully similar to 2024. Four teams (Kansas City Current, Orlando Pride, Washington Spirit, and NJ/NY Gotham FC) are breaking away at the top of the standings, sweeping the other 10 teams in their path.

This week, Full Time hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan discuss whether the NWSL is losing its chaos. What has happened to the parity in the league? Should fans, broadcasters or the league itself be concerned? And, what are these four elite teams doing so right to blaze ahead? The Athletic's staff writer Jeff Rueter, also joins the debate to help analyze the past, present, and future of the NWSL's competitive balance.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures

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

Depleted Spirit defeats reigning NWSL champion despite Trinity Rodman’s absence

Put the Washington Spirit in bubble wrap. Plus, NWSL’s coaching pipeline problem

_______________

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

GUESTS: 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Orlando Pride looked unbeatable through four weeks of the NWSL. Then, a depleted Washington Spirit, missing 11 players including Trinity Rodman, came along.

On this week's Full Time Review, host Jillian Sakovits discusses how the Spirit pulled off the biggest result of the 2025 season so far, as well as the other top stories from the NWSL weekend.

PLUS: The Athletic's Laia Cervello also joins the podcast to report on the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal first legs, where Barcelona humbled Chelsea.

_______________

Articles mentioned on the show:

Trinity Rodman stepping away from Washington Spirit to address back issues

Depleted Spirit defeats reigning NWSL champion despite Trinity Rodman’s absence

USWNT’s Trinity Rodman: ‘I don’t know if my back will ever be 100 percent’

Barcelona punish Chelsea to take three-goal lead in Women’s Champions League semi-final

Arsenal endure their reminder of Lyon’s pedigree but still go to France with hope

Arsenal edged out by Lyon in first leg of Women’s Champions League semi-final

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Laia Cervello

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angel City FC has hired a new head coach. On June 1, Alexander Straus will leave Bayern Munich for Los Angeles and the NWSL.

But what was it about Straus that got him the job? What was ACFC's search and interview process like? How will the coach and the club match their visions?

On this week's Full Time Focus, host Tamerra Griffin discusses the Straus hire fresh from a press conference with ACFC sporting director Mark Parsons and club president Julie Uhrman.

Later on, Talia Barrington joins the show to take the listener inside the launch of Canada's Northern Super League. Then, Andre Carlisle hops on to give insight into the mindset of the Washington Spirit ahead of its marquee match against the Orlando Pride this weekend — a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship final.

PLUS: Tamerra and Producer Theo preview the upcoming UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal first legs that will see Arsenal host Lyon and Barcelona welcome Chelsea.

_______________

Mentioned on the show:

Alexander Straus to become Angel City head coach in June

Inside Canada’s Northern Super League: A new soccer competition created by players for players

Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos unable to join team abroad due to potential travel ban

_______________

HOST: Tamerra Griffin

GUESTS: Talia Barrington, Andre Carlisle

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.