Meg and Steph are in Cincinnati for USWNT vs. South Africa. They react to the news of the NWSL coming to Boston! How big is it for the city and what's next? Boston’s NWSL ownership made ‘full sprint’ for its bid: An investor explains how it came together: https://theathletic.com/4882270/2023/09/20/boston-nwsl-2026/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg is joined by Angel City FC co-founder Kara Nortman to talk about her recent column on Yahoo Sports, "With the Women’s World Cup now over, here are 5 big soccer predictions". Takeaways from the World Cup, the future of the NWSL, and the current situation with the Spanish Football Federation. With the Women’s World Cup now over, here are 5 big soccer predictions: https://sports.yahoo.com/op-ed-with-the-womens-world-cup-now-over-here-are-5-big-soccer-predictions-195900905.html Learn more...

Meg Linehan and Jeff Reuter react to the resignation of USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski. What went wrong for Andonovski during his tenure? What is the future of Kate Markgraf? Plus, who are some candidates to be the next USWNT head coach? USWNT’s Vlatko Andonovski resigns, assistant Twila Kilgore named interim head coach: https://theathletic.com/4756777/2023/08/16/vlatko-andonovski-uswnt-head-coach/ Vlatko Andonovski is out as USWNT manager… now what? Deadlines for clarity are fast...

Meg Linehan and Kim McCauley discuss where the USWNT goes from here. What is the future of Vlatko Andonovski? Where do the issues in the program stem from? Plus, a recap of Spain's thrilling extra time win over the Netherlands, and Sweden's 2-1 win over Japan to book a place in the semifinal. You can follow all our 2023 World Cup coverage here: https://theathletic.com/football/womens-world-cup-soccer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Linehan and Steph Yang react to the USWNT's stunning loss to Sweden in the Round of 16 in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Naomi Girma was the shining light for the US, but what were the biggest issues for the Americans?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Linehan and Steph Yang get you ready for the USWNT's Round of 16 matchup against Sweden. What has changed with the US? Can they bounce back from an unimpressive group stage? Plus, an overview of the tournament — Is this the best Women's World Cup ever?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Linehan and Emily Olsen react to the USWNT's 0-0 draw against Portugal to advance to the Round of 16. The US narrowly escapes crashing out of the tournament — How do the Americans bounce back? Can they fix the issues? Is the disconnect between NWSL and National Team holding back progress? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanya Hvizdak, Vice President of Global Women's Sports Marketing at Nike, joins Meg Linehan on Full Time to dive into all of Nike's on-the-ground commitments at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Learn about Nike's base camps: How Nike is helping with athlete's recovery, entertainment and experience. You can follow all our 2023 World Cup coverage here: https://theathletic.com/football/womens-world-cup-soccer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Linehan and Steph Yang bring you Full Time's reaction to the USWNT's 3-0 win against Vietnam in their opening match of the 2023 Women's World Cup. First up, a deep-dive into the US performance: -Sophia Smith's memorable World Cup debut -Rose Lavelle gets 30 minutes -Were US fans expecting a larger scoreline? Plus, a tournament overview: -New Zealand's impactful first ever World Cup win -Canada relying on their new kids -Meg and Steph's favorite food in Australia and New Zealand You can...

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Meg Linehan and Steph Yang are on the ground in Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They bring you first impressions of the host countries, matches they are excited to see, and emotions on Megan Rapinoe's last World Cup. You can follow all our 2023 World Cup coverage here: https://theathletic.com/football/womens-world-cup-soccer/ Read all of The Athletic’s Journey to the Cup coverage...

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Michelle Owen is joined by Charlotte Harpur, Meg Linehan and Michael Cox to give you the perfect preview guide to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. We run through every single group to give you all you need to know going into the tournament: -Will the USA retain their crown or will European champions England end the dominance of the USWNT?  -Or will it be our panel’s surprise pick as favorites who bring the...

Alan Waxman, co-chair of Bay FC and co-founder and CEO of Sixth Street, joins Full Time to discuss the ongoing NWSL expansion efforts in the Bay Area, following the new team’s branding reveal and CEO/general manager hires. From the team’s approach to player experience to the community reception they’ve seen so far, there’s plenty happening in the Bay. Now if someone will just get Alan one of those sweet Bay FC jackets… Follow Bay FC on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearebayfc Read Meg’s...

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Sam Mewis joins Full Time to discuss her recent trip to Amsterdam for a conference with global player union FIFPro, how the USWNT players association tries to share their expertise, and wins in increased prize money for players at the 2023 World Cup. Plus, thoughts on the USWNT roster and her players to watch this summer. Listen to Snacks with Sam and Lynn Williams:...

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Meg is joined by Steph Yang and Jeff Rueter to discuss the final USWNT roster for the 2023 World Cup, player by player and position by position. From the team’s depth, to major injuries and absences, to the players who also had legit shouts at making the 23 — it’s a comprehensive look at the team that’s going to be aiming for a U.S. three-peat in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Initial thoughts from Steph on...

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Meg is joined by Canadian and Portland Thorns forward Janine Beckie — currently rehabbing her ACL injury — to preview Canada’s World Cup — including their journey through the best and most interesting group, alongside hosts Australia, plus the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria. Thoughts on the preliminary roster from Bev Priestman, the lack of a send-off match for the team ahead of the tournament, plus FIFA’s...

Steph Yang talks with "Angel City" director Arlene Nelson about how she spent 1+ year filming the team, the ways she wanted to bring viewers into the experience, and a possible season 2. Watch interview: https://youtu.be/e5ET1sX1x60 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steph Yang talks with Julie Uhrman, Angel City co-founder and president, about wanting people to see the difficulties of creating an expansion club, and her thoughts on the future direction of the NWSL. Watch interview: https://youtu.be/Hq1Ou9cVCEk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steph Yang talks with Angel City FC co-founder and owner Natalie Portman about why she wanted to make the HBO documentary, "Angel City", the importance of story-telling, and being the "cool sports friend" now. Watch interview: https://youtu.be/I49gSTNHLds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steph Yang talks with Angel City FC forward Jasmyne Spencer about what it was like filming HBO's docuseries "Angel City", and the stories that she hopes continue to be told in women's soccer. Watch interview: https://youtu.be/38LaUNg3jhg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special "Journey to the Cup" episode brought to you by Google Chrome. Meg is joined by Charlotte Harpur and Steph Yang to discuss everything happening with the French women’s national team — from multiple players stepping away from the team over their concerns, including the team’s captain Wendie Renard, to the exit of head coach Corinne Diacre, the resignation of FFF president Noel Le Graet, and now the entrance of the team’s new head coach Herve Renard and possible return of...

Meg checks in from New Zealand where she's on USWNT duty, and has audio from the post-game press conferences from the first match of the World Cup year for both the U.S. and the New Zealand Football Ferns. Vlatko Andonovski and Mal Swanson offer their thoughts on the match, followed by Ferns head coach Jitka Klimkova and Olivia Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg and Steph are back for 2023, with so much happening on the first real Monday of the year that we needed an emergency pod. First up, new Portland Thorns FC head coach Mike Norris, then a discussion of the corrective actions and sanctions announced by the NWSL on Monday following the joint investigation, and finally, the major free agency news of the day: Debinha’s staying in the NWSL, and heading to Kansas City! Portland Thorns promote assistant Mike Norris to head coach: What’s next for...

Following the release of the NWSL/NWSL PA joint investigation report that found “widespread misconduct” across the league, Meg and Steph discuss their reactions to the report, the timing of its release, and the major findings and how they’ll impact the league moving forward. Also: a few words in memory of our friend, Grant Wahl. Meg’s breakdown of the joint investigation report: https://theathletic.com/4002142/2022/12/14/nwsl-pa-joint-investigation/ Steph’s updated and comprehensive NWSL...

It’s time to catch up with Steph Yang! First, we discuss the new partnership between The Athletic and Google and reflect on what it means about where we’ve been and where we’re going. Then, tons of topics from the NWSL championship, NWSL fines, the USWNT’s readiness ahead of a World Cup year, Rose Lavelle’s big karaoke moment, and Lauren Holiday heading into the Soccer Hall of Fame. Subscribe to The Athletic for $1/month for 12 months during our Black Friday deal:...

Let’s talk about some numbers! National Research Group’s Jay Kaufman (Executive Vice President and Head of Sports) and Mary Moczula (Global Marketing and Communications Director) join Full Time to discuss NRG’s recent study on women’s sports titled Leveling the Playing Field. The study sets out to answer a few major questions: what the increased attention on women’s sports actually means, if we are truly at a turning point, and if increased funding, viewership and interest can help overcome...