Full Time with Meg Linehan: A show about women's soccer The Athletic

With just over half the season played - and the month-long Olympic break on the horizon - it is the perfect time to zoom out and have a healthy debate on the state of the 2024 NWSL season.
Hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are joined by former player and current broadcast analyst Jill Loyden to reflect on the league at its midway point while also looking forward to what we might see in the back half of the campaign. The trio unpacked the big questions, the award front runners, tactical strategies, and all the vibes in a special panel episode.
PLUS: Tamerra and Meg discussed Kansas City being announced as the host of the 2024 NWSL Championship final, as well as the latest news on the sale of Angel City FC. To close out, the podcast also contemplated what we have learned from the coaching changes during the season so far.
HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PANEL GUEST: Jill Loyden
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles mentioned on the show:
2024 NWSL championship will be played at new Kansas City stadium
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay close to purchasing control of Angel City FC: Source
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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The USA's 2024 Paris Olympics roster is finally here. So, Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan take a deep dive into the major takeaways, leading with head coach Emma Hayes' big decision to leave behind veteran forward and co-captain Alex Morgan.
Was it the right call to drop Morgan, and how was the move factored into the roster construction on and off the pitch? What did Tamerra and Meg make of midfielder Korbin Albert's inclusion in the squad despite a furor from the fanbase? What to make of more surprises on the 'Alternate' player list?
PLUS: It has been a manic week of NWSL news, and there's plenty to get to in the U.S. domestic game. From coaching arrivals to departures to front office resignations. Tamerra and Meg try to make sense of Casey Stoney's sacking in San Diego, while speculating a new club that might swoop in and offer her a job. And, what are the first impressions of Jonatan Giraldez, now that the former FC Barcelona coach has touched down in Washington D.C?
HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Why Alex Morgan missing the USWNT Olympic roster isn’t as drastic as it looks
Emma Hayes backs Korbin Albert’s USWNT Olympic roster spot: ‘She’s a tremendous human being’
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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To celebrate Juneteenth, Tamerra Griffin hosts a special episode of the podcast to explore the holiday and Blackness in the NWSL.
Alongside Tamerra's musings on the history of Juneteenth, commitment to liberation, and the importance of telling Black stories in soccer, she is joined by two special guests from the Washington Spirit.
First, rookie sensation Croix Bethune stops by to talk about how she is bringing the culture into her spectacular performances while also revealing some of what is behind her unique style off the pitch. Then, the D.C. club's VP of Community Development, RaShauna Hamilton, talks about why representing the city's Black community at the stadium is so important and how she cultivated intentional events to celebrate Juneteenth.
HOST: Tamerra Griffin
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles mentioned on the show:
Croix Bethune on her USWNT call, record-breaking rookie year in NWSL and ‘demon time’
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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Ahead of the two 2024 expansion teams' first-ever meeting in the NWSL, Tamerra and Meg take a closer look at Bay FC and the Utah Royals. As we approach midseason, in their inaugural years, what are the two clubs doing similarly, and how are their approaches unique?
To help get these answers, Kiki Pickett, the unsung midfield hero for the Northern Californians, stopped by to give the inside scoop on her rise from squad player to the scorer of a history-making goal at Wrigley Field.
Then, USWNT legend and first-time head coach Amy Rodriguez hopped on the show to open up about the lessons she has learned from a tricky start to life in Salt Lake City, and how she is trying to implement a long-term plan.
PLUS: Don't miss our interview with "low sock baller" Tobin Heath. The two-time World Cup winner chatted about why she is thriving in the media landscape, and what she thinks of Emma Hayes and the USWNT's chances at the upcoming Olympic games.

HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles featured on the show:
Sinead Farrelly announces retirement: ‘I’m feeling so grateful’
Chicago Red Stars break NWSL attendance record vs. Bay FC at Wrigley Field
Christen Press’ long journey back from injury: ‘The last six months have been the best of my life’
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the immediate aftermath of the USWNT's victories over South Korea, Meg Linehan and fellow Athletic writer Steph Yang joined podcast host Tamerra Griffin live from Allianz Field, in St. Paul, MN, for a roundtable discussion of the biggest moments and lessons learned from the first two matches of the Emma Hayes era.
The trio unpack what it was like to witness teenager Lily Yohannes' breathtaking debut? How is Tierna Davidson maturing into a leader and important queer voice on the national team? Which players have nailed down a starting role for this summer's Paris Olympics? And, what has Emma Hayes been trying to get the media and players to understand?
Plus: The thrilling dominance and growth of the U.S. women's deaf national team, and the excitement surrounding the Chicago Red Stars' Wrigley Field debut in the NWSL this weekend.
HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles featured on the show:
Who is Lily Yohannes? The 16-year-old USWNT goal-scorer breaking through at Ajax
USWNT’s transformation under Emma Hayes continues, 16-year-old Lily Yohannes scores in her debut
USWNT Olympic roster prediction 3.0: What we learned from Emma Hayes’ arrival
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
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At long last, Emma Hayes is in the United States to officially begin her tenure as the head coach of the U.S. women's national team. And, there is a lot to talk about.
Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan debate whether there has ever been an incoming coach with this much hype in the team's history. Is American soccer ready for a coach with this much personality? What was it like to spend an intimate hour in the company of Hayes in New York City? What should fans expect from her two opening matches against South Korea?
Meanwhile, a new professional Canadian women's soccer league (the Northern Super League) was announced. So, Tamerra and Meg discussed first impressions, takeaways surrounding the branding, and what its creation means for Concacaf and North American soccer.
Plus: Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams stopped by the podcast to give us the scoop on the club top of the NWSL standings. What was it like to set a new league record for consecutive wins? How is training with Barbra Banda? And, can she break into the USWNT?
With club football taking a weekend off during the FIFA window, Tamerra and Meg close out by looking ahead to some of international soccer's most joyous and frustrating storylines.
HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Articles featured on the show:
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes brings unique personality back to the country that ‘made’ her
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes talks Olympic roster preparations and the role of NWSL
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Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices