Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

Arsenal overcame Spurs in the North London derby, while Manchester City and Chelsea kept up their side of the bargain. So where’s the trophy going?! Cue the Benny Hill theme. Chloe and Rachel are back at Upfront HQ to talk about all that and much more. Plus, we collectively scream “JUST BOOT IT WEST HAM!” and there’s an extraordinary situation in the Gold Cup where Costa Rica went through by drawi...

With just over a week to go until International Women’s Day, we wanted to welcome a truly inspirational woman in football onto the podcast. Khalida Popal is the former captain of the Afghan women’s national team. In fact, if it wasn’t for her, the team would never have been formed back in 2007. And if it wasn’t for her, the current squad would never have escaped Kabul when the Taliban regained pow...

The girls are apart this week with Rach in Marbella and Chloe… not in Marbella, sadly. So there is lots to catch up on from the international break!  They discuss Grace Clinton’s dazzling England debut on Friday and - with more members of the U23 squad being brought into Sarina Wingman’s plans - identify the rising stars you should be looking out for on the road to Euro 2025. Plus, Spain have...

We’d been itching for last weekend for a while – and it didn’t disappoint! Unless you were Chloe Morgan in a box at the Emirates, that is. Chloe and Rachel discuss how Man City did a job away at Chelsea for the first time in 8 years and how exactly Man United put in such a calamitously bad first half performance at the Emirates. Also, is Sonia Bompastor a good fit for the hotseat at Stamford Bridg...

Rachel’s back with a bonus episode, where she’s joined by WSL assistant referee, Georgia Ball! As an assistant referee in the WSL and a Championship referee, Georgia is part of the next generation of women at the forefront of the changing landscape across the women’s game. She chats to us about how officiating has changed as the game grows, dealing with the pressures and scrutiny that comes with t...

Two months ago, Khiara Keating left Meadow Park in tears. On Sunday, she left it as Manchester City’s hero!  Chloe and Rachel look back on a huge victory for Man City and how Keating has slowly become one of the WSL’s best.  Plus, does Katie McCabe take it too far? And with the release of the latest England squad… why isn’t Sarina Wiegman picking Nikita Parris?! All that and much more on...

Today, we are joined by English football royalty. Chloe sits down with former England and Arsenal player Marieanne Spacey-Cale, who has guided Southampton from the fifth tier right to the very brink of the WSL.  Ahead of their FA Cup showdown with Man United, they discuss the club’s journey so far – one that has lots of similarities with their opponent’s, in fact – and the ever-increasing pre...

Leah Williamson was back and it was all looking so promising for Arsenal. But then… enter West Ham! Chloe and Rachel look back on a huge defeat that leaves Arsenal’s title hopes seriously damaged – but was it really that big a surprise? Rachel explains why West Ham had this in their locker. We also discuss Brighton’s shock decision to sack Melissa Phillips and the chaos that ensued. Plus, Crystal...

Today, we’re joined by an England and Manchester City legend who is absolutely GREAT craic too: it’s the one and only, Demi Stokes! Chloe and Rachel sit down with her to talk about Green Football Weekend - which kicks off tomorrow - and how her passion for cooking inspired her to be a GFW ambassador this year. She reveals how she’s been helping a few teammates with their own culinary skills and Ji...

We all thought the race for the WSL title was the real spectacle this season. But no: it’s actually Bristol City’s blow-up apple race at half-time. Chloe and Rachel bring the latest from across the WSL, as Vivianne Miedema 2.0 whirs into life but yet another huge name - Jill Roord - is sidelined with an ACL injury. Rachel explains why Man City will be able to adapt without her. Plus, green shoots...

We’re at Stamford Bridge for our first EVER episode at a Champions League game! Chloe and Rachel bring you their reaction to Chelsea’s hard-fought win over Real Madrid. But with Hannah Hampton’s fumble and another early shower for Mia Fishel, there is plenty to ponder for Emma Hayes.... Plus, Rachel introduces us to Basil the Chelsea fan, Chloe reflects on the future of the Champions League after...

The WSL is back! Chloe and Rachel are here to give it a warm welcome after its winter hibernation – and we kick off with one of the windiest football matches Dagenham has ever witnessed… Chloe explains how Spurs and Robert Vilahamn are developing a proper identity based around young players and reveals more about her old teammate, Jess Naz! Plus, Rachel gives her take on Lauren James’ performance...

Rachel heads to Stamford Bridge to speak to one of Chelsea’s most quietly influential players: it’s Niamh Charles! Niamh gives her honest thoughts on Chelsea’s battles with Man United last season and how Champions League football has shaped her playing style. She also reflects on Emma Hayes’ influence on her and reveals the one lesson that will always stay with her. Follow us on  Twitter ,&nb...

The news is out! Sarina Wiegman will be staying on as the head coach of the Lionesses until at least the 2027 World Cup. Chloe and Rachel react to that and bring you the best stories from across the FA Cup fourth round, including Rach’s trip to Moneyfields and the most non-celebration ever at Arsenal! We also explain why a huge second half of the season awaits for Marc Skinner and give our takes o...

Ahead of Durham’s clash with Manchester City on Sunday, Chloe sits down with their captain and one of the longest-serving players in their history, Sarah Wilson! They reflect on Durham’s journey since last facing Man City a decade ago and how - uniquely in the Championship - the club has kept the loyalty of some of its best players for so many years. Check out Upfront's new social channels! Follow...

We’re back! Chloe and Rachel react to gutting news that the WSL’s sharpshooter, Sam Kerr, is out with an ACL injury for the rest of the season and ask the big question: how can Chelsea deal without her? Plus, Chloe’s got a new nickname for Mia Fishel… We also run the rule over the latest January deals (Kristie Mewis to West Ham!? WHAT!) and some wicked whispers, including Emily Fox literally being...

After news of Sam Kerr’s ACL injury broke at the weekend, we wanted to revisit our exploration of ACL injuries in women’s football just over 12 months ago – when another of the WSL’s stars was ruled out for the rest of the season, Beth Mead. In this episode, Chloe and Rachel looked into the alarming rate of ACL injuries across women’s football and what can be done to help those players affected. W...

Chloe and Rachel count down their top five stories from one heck of a year! Featuring emotional moments in Australia, a title race to end all title races, and the start of a long goodbye for one of the absolute titans of the women’s game. It’s been real, 2023. Thanks so much everyone for joining us for the ride! We’ll be back in the new year. Check out Upfront's new social channels! Follow us on&n...

The title race, the relegation battle, the top four disruptors – it’s all on the table on today’s ep! Chloe and Rachel give a top-to-bottom review of the WSL season so far before the winter break begins. Why have Man United already dropped more points than in the WHOLE of last season? How did Spurs rewrite history against Arsenal at the weekend? And are Liverpool the real deal? Join us for all tha...

Ahead of Sunday’s showdown against Chelsea, Chloe and Rachel headed to - that’s right - Wetherspoons! After steaming through many pints and cooked breakfasts (not really), they sat down with Tara and Zoe, two of the biggest figures in the Arsenal Women’s Supporters Club, to find out how Arsenal has become the best-supported club in English football. Plus, Chloe catches up with Arseblog’s Tim Still...

We’re at the Emirates! Chloe and Rachel took in a dramatic 90 minutes between two of the WSL’s heavyweights and then headed to the press box to react to it all! How did Arsenal pull off one of the best performances of the Jonas Eidevall era? What happened to Chelsea and Lauren James? Where does this leave the title race? And who has bonce of the year?!  Check out Upfront's new social channels...

England fought back on Friday! Not that Chloe would know, she was already on her way to Boxpark… Chloe and Rachel discuss the showdown with Scotland, NewCo, and welcome a Queen of the Jungle to the Hall of Fame! Check out Upfront's new social channels! Follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram , and  YouTube ! Email us show@upfrontpod.com . Sign up for the Football Ramble Patreon to get ad...

What’s going on with Ellie Roebuck? Chloe and Rachel try to figure out the question on everyone’s lips on today’s show! While Roebuck failed to make Sarina Wiegman’s squad, Beth Mead is back, people – and back amongst the goals! Don’t worry, we marked it with an appropriate song. But where does she fit into England’s revamped frontline? Plus, we say goodbye to Christine Sinclair before her final g...

Earps, I did it again. Chloe and Rachel look back on an eventful Manchester derby where Mary Earps once again swore in full view of the cameras – and for good reason.  Plus, Chloe reminds us of her sleepless nights after facing LJ between the sticks and we wonder why Chelsea don’t get better attendances at Stamford Bridge.  Check out Upfront's new social channels! Follow us on  Twit...

Just when you thought the WSL was about to calm down, it throws up a weekend like that! Chloe and Rachel unpack Brighton’s shock defeat of Manchester City and *that* Arsenal second half against Bristol City, which gets us thinking about some of the tough halftime team talks Chloe received over the years! Plus, we call up US soccer writer Megan Swanick and and DAZN football reporter Alex Ibaceta to...