The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

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.

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 breaki...

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 k...

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...

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.

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.

On today’s episode, Claire breaks down the USWNT’s 3-1 win over Iceland, talks through how Emma Hayes is continuing to put her stamp on her team even as they keep winning, shouts out top performers and looks at where the US could still improve. Then she takes a moment to give her take on the Chicago Red Stars rebrand, as the NWSL loses some of its history in a bid towards the future.

On today’s episode, Claire goes long on the epic final game that clinched the New York Liberty’s first-ever WNBA title. She talks defense, officiating, rotations, and a little bit of luck, as well as a wrap up of the larger emotions in this monumental season ending. Then she gives a quick wish list of what she’d like to see from the final NWSL regular season weekend, as teams tune up for the posts...

In today’s episode, Claire runs down the USWNT’s October roster, alongside quotes from Emma Hayes that appear to lay out the vision for the next few years in the team’s progress as they begin the long preparation for the 2027 World Cup. She also marvels at another incredible WNBA Finals showdown, as the Liberty take a crucial advantage in their search for their first championship title.

On today’s episode, Claire talks through whether she needs to amend her WNBA Finals prediction, and notes both the resiliency of the Lynx and the mentality of the Liberty. She then hits all the major storylines of the NWSL weekend, including broken individual records, streaks both snapped and saved, playoff spots clinched and lost, and off the field happenings that shape the larger conversation.

In today’s episode, Claire ponders another Sun postseason exit, and the risks and rewards of blowing things up in the pursuit of playoff glory. She then previews the finals between the Lynx and the Liberty, with one key element she believes will earn one of the teams a title. She closes with some of the NWSL news of the midweek, which feels destined to shape the postseason and beyond.

In today’s episode, Claire gives her own postmortem on this particular era of the Las Vegas Aces, claims the Liberty as championship frontrunners and preps for Game 5 between the Lynx and the Sun. Then, she chats Orlando’s incredible run to the 2024 NWSL shield, individual records being broken, and aimlessness further down the league table.

Today, Claire takes a closer look at what’s gone wrong for the Las Vegas Aces in their semifinal against the Liberty, as well as dissecting some of head coach Becky Hammon’s postgame quotes following their Game 2 loss. She then salutes the job Cheryl Reeve has done with the Minnesota Lynx, prepares for an Orlando Pride shield win, and discusses Racing Louisville’s prospects at their first NWSL pos...

In today’s episode, Claire takes a look at both Game 1’s of the WNBA semifinals, and whether or not Aces and Lynx fans can find silver linings in falling short with hope for Game 2. Then, she shouts out the big winners and losers of the NWSL match weekend, including the race for golden boot history and the race for final playoff clinchers.

This week, Claire discusses the first day of games of the WNBA playoffs, where postseason experience is key in a short set of series’ that could see some of our faves go home. Then, she takes a deeper look at Kansas City’s big win over Washington in the NWSL, and makes a case for the Current’s chances in the playoffs. She closes us out with quick updates on volleyball, college soccer, and a salute...

This week, Claire takes a snapshot look at the NWSL, where sometimes single games can tell you a whole lot more about a team than just the final score. She chats Orlando and KC’s special success, Portland’s ongoing troubles, and which players lit up the highlight reel. Then she talks through remarkable WNBA performances, why the expanding season is a good thing, and the surge of the Washington Mys...

This week, Claire takes a moment to talk about the final few days of Alex Morgan’s professional career, how the soccer world has changed since Morgan’s debut and how the star herself spoke about what’s next. Then, she discusses what Angel Reese’s season ending injury means for the WNBA playoff race, salutes the U.S. Open and the Paralympics and more.

This week, Claire checks in on the big picture for both the NWSL and the WNBA, as title contenders emerge, playoff spoilers make their case, and some teams begin to plateau at an inopportune time. Then, she has a chat with NWSLPA President Tori Huster about the league’s landmark CBA, and how concerns about parity might be overstated.

This week, Claire breaks down the new NWSL CBA that will change just about everything about how the league runs, she thinks, for the better. Then she takes listener questions on struggling NWSL clubs, player contracts, looking ahead for the USWNT and more.

In today's episode, Claire says a happy welcome back to the WNBA, as teams battle for postgame positioning in the final month of the regular season. The New York Liberty look like the team to beat, but how are other teams progressing, and are there teams that should be worried about slipping in the standings? Then, Claire looks at her wishlist for the rest of the 2024 NWSL season, as teams gear up...

In this weeks episode, Claire talks through the final few days of the 2024 Olympics, a gold medal basketball game that went the distance in ways nobody expected, big winners and losers from the Olympic soccer tournament and more. Then, she has a lovely chat with Arsenal and Lionesses forward Alessia Russo about returning to the U.S. after spending her college days in Chapel Hill for her club’s upc...

This week, Claire takes a deep breath and looks at what we've seen in women's sports so far in the Olympics, including generational talents and both established and brand new stars to follow. She hypes up the U.S. gymnastics squad, asks who really rules the pool, and shouts out newcomers to the international stage that became the surprise hits of the Games. Then she previews the USWNT's upcoming s...

On today’s episode, Claire takes a look at the USWNT’s performances in their first two Olympic soccer matches, as the team cruises to a quarterfinal spot with a game still to play in the group stage. She talks through the team making their own luck, some touchy moments in defense, and what to make of the team’s ever-shifting midfield. Then she hits on a few of the biggest Olympic storylines of wee...

This week, Claire discusses WNBA All-Star weekend, which felt both like a celebration of how the league has grown over the past year and set Team USA up for a particularly competitive Olympics. Then, she reviews the field for the Olympic soccer tournament, pointing out her personal Group of Death and seeing how the U.S. might still be in the medal conversation despite their current rebuild under E...

This week, Claire breaks down in depth the days prior to the USWNT’s first send-off series game, also discussing performances, what worked and what still needs developing, as the team moves towards a crucial Olympic competition that will dictate the future of the team. She then turns toward WNBA All-Star weekend, with a short chat with Gatorade women’s basketball player of the year Joyce Edwards a...