WSL season preview: Can Manchester City repeat, are Arsenal favorites & will Alexia Putellas steal the show?

WSL season preview: Can Manchester City repeat, are Arsenal favorites & will Alexia Putellas steal the show?

Author: The Athletic September 2, 2026 Duration: 45:27

The English Women's Super League is back and bigger than ever. Expanded to 14 teams for the 2026-27 season, this week’s Full Time podcast previews the new season’s title contenders, relegation battlers, new players to watch, and biggest narratives to know before it all kicks off.


Host Jillian Sakovits is joined by a panel of writers from The Athletic, featuring Tamerra Griffin and Megan Feringa. Can Manchester City repeat for the first time in their history? Are a strengthened Arsenal the top pick to win a first WSL title since 2019? How much spotlight will Alexia Putellas take up as she crashes the party with the big-spending London City Lionesses?


Articles referenced on the show:

Seven top WSL transfers: From young stars to some of Europe’s most in-demand players

Manchester United set to sign Hacken winger Monica Jusu Bah in transfer over £400k

Washington Spirit’s Rebeca Bernal nearing Manchester United move

Who is Eva Olid, why have Manchester United appointed her and what is she walking into?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Tamerra Griffin, Megan Feringa

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Full Time: A show about women's soccer
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