Upfront - A Women's Football Podcast

Here at Upfront, we're often preoccupied by our age. This weekend in the FA Cup really, really didn't help. Chloe and Rachel look back on the best of the FA Cup action, including a big win for Liverpool after some big signings and heartbreak for our favs York City. Did they bottle it on purpose to avoid the night out with us? Possibly. Elsewhere, we discuss the findings of Deloitte's latest Money...

Karen Carney might have been back from Strictly, but there weren't many quick-steps on the pitch at the Emirates on Saturday.  Chloe and Rachel are reunited in the studio to look back on the first weekend of 2026 in the WSL, which had some familiar stories and one very controversial one involving Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Chloe gives a goalkeeper's perspective on time-wasting... Elsewhere, it's m...

Eder, Rita – welcome to the WSL! Make sure to hold on tight to this merry-go-round here and get that seatbelt on. You're gonna need it. Chloe and Rachel are back from the Christmas break, although Rachel remains in Norway where she's presumably been looking for Spurs' next wonderkid signing. They discuss Jocelyn Prêcheur and Rehanne Skinner's sackings just before Christmas and where those decision...

For our final episode of 2025, we’re joined by a player who we have wanted on the pod since the very beginning! Aurora Galli - otherwise known by her nickname Yaya - is one of the best personalities in the WSL and since joining Everton back in 2021, she has rapidly become a fan favourite on Merseyside. But on the opening day of last season, Galli ruptured her ACL. Apart from a brief return in May,...

Chloe and Rachel are back at Upfront HQ for the final time this year! Which means it's time to relive everything we've loved about 2025. Agyemaaaaaaang! We discuss our favourite moments and most-loved players! Plus, we hear some of your New Year's resolutions and give our verdicts… LAST CHANCE! Want to win an England shirt SIGNED by Lucy Bronze?! To enter our prize draw, simply fill out Stak's lis...

That’s it for the WSL in 2025! And we were treated to a couple of bangers this weekend to finish things off. Chloe and Rachel relive it all! Man United pulled off mission impossible against Spurs – although maybe it was more like ‘mission never should have been impossible in the first place’ – and Marc Skinner was evidently feeling a little hot under the collar. Elsewhere, West Ham and Liverpool p...

Chloe and Rachel chat to Scotland and FC Como centre-back Sophie Howard about life at what's been called “the most stylish football club in the world”. Sophie lifts the lid on the grit behind the glamour and how Como have risen to the top of the Serie A table. She also speaks about the past, present and future of a career which has seen her play in Germany, the US, England and now Italy, and refle...

Chelsea didn't have a chisel and hammer on Sunday to get through Everton and Courtney Brosnan... so THE RUN has come to an end! Chloe and Rachel react to a huge upset and the dodgy social media graphics that followed. But is the title race really all over? We think not... Plus, Arsenal get a desperately-needed win at the Emirates after some seismic reports during the international break. We give o...

The Lionesses celebrated their homecoming tour with a brutal 8-0 thrashing of China at Wembley... but not everyone in the aftermath has been entirely happy about it! Chloe and Rachel reflect on that and why this game was important – for both China and England. Elsewhere, GK Barry and the League Cup draw causes a huge stir and the WSL returns this weekend! Plus, a listener all the way in New Zealan...

The international break is back! Chloe and Rachel look ahead to the Lionesses' return to Wembley on Saturday night, featuring Hannah Hampton's newly-extended Ikea trophy cabinet. Elsewhere, we take a moment to salute some non-league heroes across the FA Cup second round and react to major WSL2 news that Tanya Oxtoby is taking the reins at Newcastle.  Plus, US soccer journalist Asli Pelit join...

Canada's first-ever season of the NSL came to its thrilling conclusion last weekend – and Rach was there to see it all! She's joined by Sophie for a journey across the pond to see Vancouver Rise take on AFC Toronto, and speak to some VERY famous faces along the way... Want to win an England shirt SIGNED by Lucy Bronze?! To enter our prize draw, simply fill out Stak's listener survey! It helps...

Manchester City caught the eye on Saturday with a dominant Manchester derby win, even if Mark Skinner disagrees. Today, Chloe and Rachel explain why they think Man City could be ready to shake up the title race in the WSL. Elsewhere, at the bottom of the table, West Ham and Liverpool picked up important points, but are Chelsea now showing some flaws? Plus, Arsenal's goal-scoring problems continue...

Today, we’re joined by the best-performing full-back in the WSL right now and one of our favourite personalities in the league: it’s Kerstin Casparij! Chloe and Rachel sit down with Kerstin to discuss her incredible year, both on and off the pitch. Kerstin explains why she’s feeling so happy in a Man City shirt right now and reveals the inspiration for her post-match puns on social media. She also...

On the official Chloe Morgan spicy scale, this weekend was... flaming hot. Chloe and Rachel try their best to pick apart everything that went down in north London on Saturday afternoon – and what needs to be done next. Is VAR really the answer? Rachel has some alternatives, while Chloe explains why the backlash must be tempered. Elsewhere, Man United lose for the first time in the WSL this season...

Chloe’s jet-setting again but nothing stops the pod! She and Rachel discuss the goal-packed game between Aston Villa and Everton and look a bit more closely at the situation on the red side of Liverpool, as Gareth Taylor's side remain winless in the WSL. Plus, Jack Fowler and Kimberley Cumberbatch from “Who Gives a Shirt?” join the show to speak about football kits, identity and fashion. Jack and...

On today’s Upfront, Chloe and Rachel are joined by Chelsea legend and former Lioness Claire Rafferty to discuss about transfers and scouting in the men’s and women’s game. And, as ADHD Awareness Month comes to an end, Claire reflects on her experience of being diagnosed with – and living with – the condition. She also discusses the trajectories of two of her former clubs in the WSL this season: un...

Chloe and Rachel are back from their escapades around Europe for a very international pod! And a certain very important England debut... Chloe celebrates Khiara Keating's first appearance between the sticks for England, while Rach explains that - despite the 2-1 defeat against a VERY pumped Brazil - the Lionesses showed their teeth in this game. But one listener asks if England have an Alessia Rus...

There might not have been any cupsets, but there were some impressive showings from the WSL2 sides in the Subway League Cup this weekend! Newcastle took Man City to the wire (what a game!), while Nottingham Forest took Everton to penalties, too. Chloe and Rachel discuss the best of the action and the future of the tournament itself. How could (or should) it be changed? They also hear what you have...

We're back with an early edition of Upfront on the eve of Sarina Wiegman's first England squad since the Euros! And there's big news... Chloe and Rachel look back on two vital wins for Arsenal and Chelsea – and how some of the same problems are persisting for both teams in front of goal. Elsewhere, Leicester have a new manager, but is the pressure off for them as Liverpool struggle and West Ham co...

Content warning: this interview features discussion of topics that some listeners may find triggering and distressing. Ahead of World Mental Health Day tomorrow, Rachel is joined by Spurs defender and vice-captain Molly Bartrip. Molly has been one of the most prominent voices in the WSL on mental health. After own battles with anorexia nervosa, depression and anxiety, she has spoken frankly about...

All eyes were on two huge games at the top of the table this weekend and they absolutely delivered! The difference was that Rach was getting absolutely soaked in Manchester on Friday night, while Chloe was watching it with a glass of Merlot. Or Rioja. Something red, anyway. Chloe and Rachel pick apart another thriller between Man City and Arsenal, which has left Chloe believing that this is a new,...

What's that? People saying the title race is already over? Chloe and Rachel are here to provide a healthy dose of scepticism – as well as a healthy dose of 'what the hell is missing for Arsenal?!' Chloe explains why Saturday's stalemate wasn't Renée Slegers' fault, while Rachel thinks people have been getting Aston Villa's start to the season all wrong. Plus, they take a closer look at Liverpool a...

Today, Chloe and Rachel pay tribute to former Liverpool manager Matt Beard, who passed away on Saturday. He was 47 years old. Matt or 'Beardy' was a giant of the women's game, who left an impact on players and fans at every club he went. He was known for his kindness, his warmth, and his generosity. He will be so sorely missed. Chloe and Rachel also discuss Spurs' 5-1 defeat to Man City, the new C...

Chloe and Rachel are back to discuss everything across the second week of the WSL! Man United might have had a nightmare in Norway, but they handed out another pasting in the league. The boots probably helped... Elsewhere, Sam Kerr made her VERY anticipated return and – of course – she scored. Rach explains why we helped take the pressure off her, sort of. Plus, with reports of huge growth for the...

Chloe and Rachel are back after an opening weekend packed FULL of storylines! Except Brighton vs Aston Villa... We look back on Arsenal's victory over London City Lionesses – and the Kangster dropping a huge world record transfer fee for Grace Geyoro. Plus, will Sam Kerr really breeze back into this Chelsea team? What does Grace Clinton's exit say about Manchester United? And can there be a better...