NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit are heading to the NWSL Championship Final.

On this week's Full Time Review, Jillian Sakovits is joined by Meg Linehan, and Melanie Anzidei to break down the weekend's dramatic NWSL semifinals. The pod discusses Jaedyn Shaw's buzzer-beater in Orlando and how the 8th-seeded Gotham continued their unlikely journey at the expense of the defending champions, the Orlando Pride. And, whether the Washington Spirit just put in their best performance of the season as they breezed past the Portland Thorns at a sold-out Audi Field.

PLUS: What is the latest on Trinity Rodman's contract? After The Athletic reported ongoing interest from Europe, will we see the NWSL change the existing salary cap rules to keep the U.S. women's national team star at the Spirit?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Meg Linehan, Melanie Anzidei

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Marta won’t exit quietly from NWSL playoffs after Orlando Pride loss: ‘It should not end like this’

Jaedyn Shaw free kick sends No. 8 Gotham FC to NWSL championship with win over Pride

NWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to choose

Trinity Rodman negotiations reach NWSL commissioner as English teams express interest in U.S. star

Washington Spirit advance to NWSL Championship with 2-0 win over Portland Thorns

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

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The NWSL is coming to Atlanta. Following The Athletic's Asli Pelit's report on Sunday, on Tuesday, it was officially announced that the capital of Georgia will be home to the 17th NWSL team in 2028.

So, on this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits gets into what it means for Atlanta to join the NWSL. Jill talks to Pelit about breaking the story and the business side of Atlanta's record-breaking bid, as well as the major investment promises made by the ownership. Then, Jill is joined by Atlanta soccer radio host and ATL United announcer Jason Longshore to dig further into what the expansion news means to the community and the rich women's soccer history that already connects the USWNT and professional women's soccer to Atlanta.

PLUS: Jill and Producer Theo break down the key things to watch for this weekend's NWSL Playoff Semifinals and give their picks on who will make the Championship Final in San Jose. Who will advance from the Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, and the Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC?

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Asli Peli, Jason Longshore

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

Atlanta’s NWSL team will debut in 2028, play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta lands NWSL expansion franchise backed by Arthur Blank for record $165 million: Sources

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

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.

How do you measure Most Valuable Player? Who deserves Coach of the Year? What sort of midfielder is worthy of Midfielder of the Year?

On this week's Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan debate the 2025 NWSL Awards and Best XI. The duo unpacks every category, examining the league's shortlisted players, as well as what their own formulas are judging and voting. Also, they discuss the snubs from the shortlist and put forward the players that should have been nominated, and argue whether the playoffs should be taken into account.

PLUS: Tamerra and Meg wonder how much the absence of major stars on the pitch has affected the 2025 NWSL Playoffs, check in on the Full Time Bingo Card, and look ahead to the weekend's Semifinals.

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Referenced on the show

Current’s overreliance on Temwa Chawinga makes her MVP argument even more compelling

Don’t call Gotham an ‘underdog.’

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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

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.