The Late Sub with Claire Watkins - podcast cover

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

Just Women’s Sportswww.justwomenssports.com
The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on all things USWNT, NWSL and whatever else is popping off in women's soccer each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every soccer fan. You can find The Late Sub wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Episodes

A USWNT fan's GUIDE to the Euros

This week, Claire takes a break from soccer action in the U.S. to give an American soccer fans perspective on the upcoming Euros: favorites, underdogs, NWSL connections, and who might be in danger of crashing out of the group stage.

Jun 26, 202522 min

Rose Lavelle’s return to the USWNT

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down the recently-announced USWNT roster for three upcoming friendlies - talking about how to avoid player burn out, happy returns, fresh faces, which positional groups are still up in the air and which areas are beginning to feel a little more set.

Jun 18, 202522 min

Where does the Washington Spirit go from here?

On this weeks episode, Claire sits down with USA Today and Pro Soccer Wire writer Jason Anderson, to talk about Washington Spirit manager Jonatan Giraldez jumping ship for OL Lyonnes, including this means for the team’s roster, how this impacts Michele Kang’s multi club ownership, and just how salty about this move fans should be.

Jun 12, 202534 min

Who is stepping up for the USWNT

This week, Claire digs into the performances that stood out in two big USWNT wins to close out the international break, including a big step forward in the goalkeeping race and a midfield project with many layers. She also lists her missed opportunities, as the year of great roster experimentation crosses the six month mark.

Jun 04, 202522 min

USWNT roster: Who’s in and who’s out

In today’s episode, Claire discusses the quiet importance of this weeks international window for the U.S., as Emma Hayes’s system takes full effect. She talks about players who missed the cut, fresh faces ready for a chance to shine, and what the team can expect in their two upcoming friendlies. Note: this episode was recorded before Gisele Thompson was pulled from the USWNT camp due to injury.

May 29, 202521 min

Everyone gave up on the San Diego Wave way too quickly

Subscribe: https://pod.link/1563105123 In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down what many believed to be the implosion of the San Diego Wave losing the likes of Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma, but did we assume to much. With this season's start, it may show they are set up for success. Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode. Follow Claire on Twitter/X (@scoutripley) and sign up for the Just Women’s Sports newsletter at justwomenssports.com/newsletter/ The Late Sub with Claire Watkins ...

May 08, 202520 min

The Gotham FC superteam experiment was a failure

Subscribe: https://pod.link/1563105123 In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down what happened to Gotham's superteam, and whether the NWSL is built for them. With this season's start, it may show they are better off than they were last season. Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode. Follow Claire on Twitter/X (@scoutripley) and sign up for the Just Women’s Sports newsletter at justwomenssports.com/newsletter/ The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest t...

May 01, 202522 min

What Trinity Rodman’s injury means

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down Trinity Rodman’s newly reported indefinite absence from the Washington Spirit, as she rehabs an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Apr 24, 202520 min

The USWNT's youth movement hits a bump in the road

Welcome back to another season of The Late Sub! Claire sits down to talk through the USWNT’s youth movement, the search for Alyssa Naeher’s successor, Trinity Rodman’s return and more.

Apr 10, 202522 min

NWSL predictions: Champion, Shield, MVP and more

The NWSL is back for 2025, and so are we! Claire hops on the mic to chat NWSL opening weekend, way too early predictions, teams rising, falling, and everything in between.

Mar 18, 202516 min

Women’s Sports Wishlist: A look into 2025

It’s the final Late Sub of the season, and Claire is looking ahead. She talks wishes for 2025 including USWNT experimentation, NWSL parity, WNBA tactical evolution and more. Thanks to everyone who listened this year!

Dec 31, 202426 min

What a year for women's sports: an end end of year recap

In this week’s episode, Claire takes a trip down memory lane, talking through her favorite and most memorable women’s sports stories of the year. She talks the explosion of basketball, the transformation of the USWNT, an Olympics to remember and more.

Dec 23, 202421 min

Lynn Williams is traded to Seattle, plus a nice salute to USWNT legend Becky Sauerbrunn

In today's episode, Claire gives a salute to the career of USWNT legend Becky Sauerbrunn, and reflects on the end of an era for both the NWSL and the US as titans of the game step away. Then, she gives initial reactions on a major NWSL trade that’s sending Lynn Williams to Seattle, sets up a quick viewing guide for the weekend, and more.

Dec 20, 202424 min

Is Hannah Hidalgo National Player of the Year?

In today’s episode, Claire takes a deeper look at Notre Dame’s big win over UConn, what it means for the early NPOY race, and some very encouraging signs for TV viewership. Then, she touches on the Euros draw, the NCAA volleyball tournament, college prospect signings in the NWSL, and more.

Dec 17, 202427 min

Building a basketball team with Natalie Nakase

In today’s episode, Claire hits a few big women’s sports headlines before sitting down with Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase to talk through the expansion draft, building a roster from scratch, how she’d like her team to play and the fundamentals that she thinks will build a lasting locker room culture of winning.

Dec 12, 202421 min

The USWNT survives their final game of the year

In today's episode, Claire wraps up a wild year of the USWNT, as their very dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands showed how far they’ve come and what they’ll need to continue to progress on in 2025. She chats midfield lessons, club vs national team form, and yet another epic Alyssa Naeher performance that only underlines how much she’ll be missed in retirement.

Dec 04, 202425 min

The USWNT says goodbye to Naeher

The USWNT played to a scoreless draw against England on Saturday, and Claire hops on immediately after to give her thoughts! On Alyssa Naeher’s retirement, the pros and cons of playing the veteran midfield, attacking inexperience and why the U.S. should feel fine with the result.

Dec 01, 202423 min

MARTA DID IT! An NWSL Championship Recap

On today’s episode, Claire recaps another wonderful wild NWSL championship weekend, the before, during, and after of Orlando’s historic win in the title game. She talks industry events, Marta lore, officiating, big defense moments and more. We had a blast during the 2024 NWSL season and we can’t wait to do it again.

Nov 26, 202430 min

NWSL Championship: Banda vs Rodman, plus a quick look into college basketball, NWSL awards, and the new WNBA hires

On today’s episode, Claire breaks down the ins and outs of the NWSL championship matchup between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit - key contributors, where on the field the game might be won, and what a title win would mean to either franchise after historically strong seasons. Then she does a quick news roundup touching on college basketball, NWSL awards, and the WNBA going analytic with new coaching hires.

Nov 21, 202427 min

Triple Espresso takes a break: a look into the USWNT roster drop; plus a recap of the NWSL semifinal games

In today's episode, Claire breaks down the USWNT's November roster, how manager Emma Hayes is able to give new opportunities from a position of strength, and which players Claire is most excited to see out on the pitch against England and the Netherlands. Then, she revels in the incredible NWSL semifinal round, breaking down all the magic that led the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current to the NWSL championship game.

Nov 19, 202432 min

NWSL Awards: Snubs and Surprises, plus a preview going into the NWSL semifinal round

On todays episode, Claire takes a deep dive into the NWSL end of season awards, comparing her ballot with the announced finalists and giving her final picks in a very deep year with many impressive performances. Then, she previews the blockbuster semifinal matchups between the NWSL’s top four, and gives her picks for who will be battling it out in Kansas City for a championship.

Nov 14, 202425 min

Bay FC ALMOST pulls it off, plus a special interview with Bay FC midfielder Kiki Pickett

In today’s episode, Claire recaps the quarterfinal round of the NWSL playoffs, talking through blowouts, surprises, emptying the tank and why the top four teams continue to stand out in 2024. Then, she has a chat with Bay FC midfielder Kiki Pickett, on the team’s turnaround in the second half of the season, why they’re a great NWSL underdog, and what the club is most proud of after a record breaking inaugural season.

Nov 12, 202442 min

Can Sophia Smith UPSET Gotham? Plus a special interview with Olympic bronze medalist rugby player Sammy Sullivan

In today’s episode, Claire breaks down the ins and outs of every NWSL quarterfinal, who to keep on upset watch and what to expect tactically between the lines. Then, she has a lovely conversation with Olympic bronze medalist rugby player Sammy Sullivan about the future of rugby in the U.S., balancing the spotlight of the Olympics boost with the day to day of being a pro athlete, and how fans can keep up with Team USA rugby year round.

Nov 07, 202447 min

Is it NATTY or BUST for Paige Bueckers and UConn? | The Late Sub

Subscribe: https://pod.link/1563105123 On todays episode, Claire previews the top teams in women's college basketball season tips off, can South Carolina repeat, and whether Paige Bueckers need that national championship. Then she redirects attention back to the NWSL, where we look at the playoff matchups and see which games will be closer than they appear. Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode. Follow Claire on Twitter/X (@scoutripley) and sign up for the Just Women’s Sports newsle...

Nov 05, 202428 min

Naomi Girma can do it all, plus a final look at the NWSL regular season

On todays episode, Claire wraps up the USWNT October window with look at the team’s 3-0 win over Argentina, how rotation became the US’s strength and how Naomi Girma can truly do it all. Then she redirects attention back to the NWSL, where we say goodbye to a few clubs after the weekend, and watch a playoff race that may or may not come down to the final matchday.

Oct 31, 202427 min

USWNT: It's a mental game, plus a chat with Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas

In today’s episode, Claire talks through the USWNT’s 3-1 comeback victory over Iceland on Sunday, how the team slightly struggled with roster rotation and how their second half stabilizing showcased the team’s underlying strengths. Then she has a chat with three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas about her whirlwind summer after starring in Paris, and her off-track interest in global health.

Oct 28, 202436 min
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