Unpacking Cat Macario's season-ending injury & an open letter to FIFA about the U20 World Cup

Unpacking Cat Macario's season-ending injury & an open letter to FIFA about the U20 World Cup

Author: The Athletic September 15, 2026 Duration: 41:12

Cat Macario’s debut season in San Diego is over before it ever really began. Wave FC announced on Monday that the U.S. women’s national team attacker would be placed on the season-ending injury list after undergoing knee surgery. So, how did we get here, and what does it mean for Macario, the Wave and the USWNT?


Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei and Tamerra Griffin to discuss a big news week in the NWSL, where, alongside Macario’s injury, we saw the Houston Dash fire head coach Fabrice Gautrat, the Orlando Pride hand out a big contract extension to Barbra Banda, and a group of past and present global soccer stars pen an open letter to FIFA.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

PANEL: Melanie Anzidei, Tamerra Griffin

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

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Referenced on the show:

San Diego Wave place US forward Catarina Macario on season-ending injury list with knee injury

Houston Dash fire coach Fabrice Gautrat and technical director Twila Kilgore

Orlando Pride signs prolific scorer Barbra Banda to contract extension

The under-20 World Cup has top players ‘caught in between’ club and country

Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Marta among players calling for FIFA to move U-20 Women’s World Cup

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For anyone who lives and breathes the beautiful game as played by women, Full Time: A show about women's soccer is your essential audio companion. This isn't just a recap show; it's a deep, thoughtful, and often lively exploration of the entire ecosystem. Produced by the journalists at The Athletic, the podcast delivers expert analysis and storytelling you can trust, moving seamlessly from the latest U.S. women’s national team drama to the week's pivotal NWSL results and major stories from leagues across Europe and the globe. Three times a week, hosts Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin, and Jillian Sakovits break down the matches, but more importantly, they dig into the culture, context, and consequential conversations that define the sport's moment. You'll hear from fellow reporters, players, coaches, and insiders who provide unique perspectives you won't find anywhere else. Whether it's a transfer saga, a tactical revolution, or a discussion about the broader impact of the game, this is where the narrative gets unpacked. Tune in for a blend of immediate reaction, investigative reporting, and the kind of informed debate that mirrors the passion of the fans themselves. This podcast goes beyond the final whistle to deliver the full story.
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