The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

This week, Claire takes the solo mic to break down a beautiful new rivalry between the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current, while taking stock of where every NWSL team has landed going into the leagues regular season Olympic break. Then, she does the same with the WNBA, looking at small shifts that could impact the standings after Paris. She takes stock of individual performances in the cont...

This week, Claire hones in on the upcoming marquee NWSL matchup between Orlando and Kansas City by pondering the question: how did the Orlando Pride transform into a contender? She speaks with Pride general manager Haley Carter about the construction of Orlando’s turnaround, and then chats with Pride forward Ally Watt about the team’s transformation on the field. Off the soccer field, Claire then...

Claire hops on to react to the 2024 USWNT Olympic roster, with one big omission marking a new era of the team. She chats through the benefits of experience vs potential, versatility and fitness, and how this team will continue to gel while meeting the internal expectations of new manager Emma Hayes, which might not always coincide with what the fans want out of a major tournament.

In today’s episode, Claire talks through the widening gap between top NWSL contenders and the rest of the pack after more statement performances from Kansas City and Orlando. Then, she chats with Rookie of the Year (and possibly MVP?) frontrunner Croix Bethune about playing with joy, what makes the Washington midfield tick and more. And then finally she breaks down the current state of the WNBA, w...

In this week’s episode, Claire sits down with Kansas City midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta to understand what’s driving the Current’s unbeaten streak, celebration culture, goals under Vlatko Andonovski and more. Then Claire takes the mic alone to look at the state of the WNBA, which teams are surging and which could use a reset after another week of highs and lows.

This week, Claire talks through a wacky NWSL weekend, where attendance records, baseball celebrations, and strange red cards reigned. She discusses which styles of play are being rewarded this year, as the top teams continue to distance themselves from the pack. Then, she breaks down the reported USA women’s basketball Olympic roster, talking surprises, snubs, whether the teams approach to the pla...

This week, Claire talks through the USWNT’s first friendly under new manager Emma Hayes, with a dominant 4-0 win over South Korea. She talks through big performances from Mallory Swanson and Tierna Davidson, a midfield that looks refreshed, and her own personal picks for the Olympic roster. Then, she digs into the big stories out of the WNBA this weekend, as the Indiana Fever finally end their ear...

This week, Claire breaks down a wild week in the WNBA, with MVP level performances, a few hard fouls, and a wide-spread impressive start from the 2024 rookie class. Then, she breaks down how the NWSL is beginning to see a natural top five teams emerge, and the floor beginning to drop out from bottom of the table performers. Are a few playoff contenders in trouble? Only time will tell.

Claire talks this week’s NWSL snapshot through the context of the league’s coaches, discussing her early coach of the year shortlist, with both surprises and steady performances. She also breaks down which coaching seats might be getting a little hot, and they might not be the names you’d expect. Then, she turns to the first full week of WNBA action, giving out superlatives for the strongest perfo...

Claire watched every game of WNBA opening tip-off on Tuesday and she has some things to say! Connecticut dampened Caitlin Clark’s big debut (but there are reasons to think she’ll be okay), Las Vegas looked ready for a three-peat and a few rebuilding teams surprised. Then, she digs into another busy NWSL slate of games, where the separation between the top and bottom of the table means more interes...

This week, Claire takes a look at the first weekend of WNBA preseason, as fans saw first glimpses of Caitlin Clark and the rest of her draft class against league competition. She also talks through some growing pains the league is still experiencing while trying to capitalize on fan interest. Then, she breaks down packed NWSL week, where winning and losing streaks only tell part of the story for e...

Claire takes a look at the weekend’s NWSL action through the lense of the USWNT’s next era, with permanent manager Emma Hayes’ first roster rapidly approaching. She breaks down the USWNT roster bubble for the Olympics and beyond, and shouts out the NWSL talent providing an Olympic preview for other international sides. Then, she discusses Candace Parker’s surprise retirement announcement. She brea...

Claire goes deep on a number of NWSL teams, including why she likes Angel City’s recent trades, what Washington is doing right, and what Vlatko Andonovski seems to have learned from his time coaching the USWNT. Then, Claire breaks down Caitlin Clark’s massive new Nike deal and what it tells us about the economic realities of women’s basketball today.

Claire recaps the WNBA Draft, discussing both the winners as well as the surprises from draft night. She breaks down what Caitlin Clark brings to the Fever, and why this draft class might put pressure on the league to accelerate their timelines. Claire also talks Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese in Chicago, and Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson in LA. Then, she turns to the NWSL, explaining what’s g...

Live from Ohio, Claire breaks down a blockbuster NCAA Championship between South Carolina and Iowa — and why losing her entire starting five from last season brought out the best of Dawn Staley (02:45). Claire discusses what made this year’s South Carolina squad (literally) unbeatable, why Iowa’s seniors should be at peace with their performance, and what comes next for Caitlin Clark. After previe...

Claire recaps a blockbuster game between Iowa and LSU, and why Kim Mulkey dared Caitlin Clark to beat them from distance — which she did. Claire also talks UConn vs USC, before making her picks for the Final Four. Then, she turns her attention to the NWSL, explaining why Kansas City is for real, and why Portland needs to turn things around ASAP.

Claire breaks down the opening weekend of March Madness (00:37), discussing which teams have impressed her and which still have something to prove. Claire then talks the latest USWNT roster and why this SheBelieves Cup squad is already a reflection of Emma Hayes (20:42). Finally, Claire’s bucketing every NWSL squad into tiers after the second weekend of games (32:18).

Claire jumps into the women’s March Madness bracket and why Iowa’s path to the Final Four is absolutely stacked. Claire discusses the importance of conference tournaments on seeding and why USC could be set to go on a run. Then, she breaks down the opening weekend of NWSL play, including her winners and losers from the first slate of games.

Claire breaks down the LSU-South Carolina drama and why Kim Mulkey’s comments might be a smokescreen for the Tigers’ bigger issues. Then, she reacts to the USWNT’s Gold Cup win and what it means for both the team and individual players hoping to make the Olympics. Last, Claire wraps with a quick NWSL preview ahead of this weekend’s Challenge Cup battle.

Claire Watkins reacts to the USWNT’s 3-0 win over Colombia, highlighting the team’s mentality, as well as the veteran performances of Alex Morgan and Alyssa Naeher. Claire also praises Jaedyn Shaw while discussing how the win highlighted the USWNT’s ability to thread the needle with their roster. Claire then turns to college basketball to explain why Caitlin Clark made the right move in going pro...

Welcome to a bonus episode of The Late Sub! Recorded on Monday, Feb. 26, Claire gets into some of the big college basketball picture after teams struggled to grind out wins late in the regular season. Then, she breaks down the big decisions facing college seniors. Finally, she takes a look at the larger happenings in global football, and wonders if Spain are the clear frontrunners for the Olympics...

In this special, USWNT-only edition of The Late Sub, Claire breaks down the team’s 2-0 loss to Mexico, and why it felt like a game from the Andonovski era. Then, Claire is joined by CBS Sports’ Sandra Herrera to discuss the Gold Cup more broadly and why the USWNT needs to fully embrace their inexperienced youth.

Claire reflects on Caitlin Clark’s position in college basketball history after she passes Kelsey Plum for the scoring record. She also touches on Geno Auriemma’s latest milestone, Paige Buecker’s returning, and Brittney Griner’s overdue jersey retirement. Then, Claire dives into the USWNT, previewing the Gold Cup and who she wants to see on the field while also discussing Mia Fishel’s torn ACL. S...

Claire breaks down the latest USWNT roster and what it means for the veterans who didn’t make the cut. Then, she dives into WNBA Free Agency and reflects on what happened with Elena Delle Donne. Finally, Claire wraps with an update on Caitlin Clark’s record chase and South Carolina’s convincing win over UConn, before circling back to the USWNT's current state and Lindsey Horan's much-discussed quo...

Claire Watkins breaks down the latest stories in women’s sports, starting with college basketball and why Caitlin Clark might just want to get this all-time scoring record out of the way. Then, Claire dives into NWSL preseason and what an influx of coaches and players mean for the league. Finally, Claire walks through the early days of WNBA free agency and why every team is working with the Aces i...