The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

Two of the biggest surprises this season have been Gotham & Houston. One has shocked the NWSL by soaring up the table, while the bats are underperforming as reigning champs. Just Women’s Sports is the leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. In a world where women’s sports have been historically underfunded and under-promoted, Just Women’s Sports exists to shine a light on all the stories, athletes and moments that define and fuel the space. Through original podcasts, premium video programming, social media, editorial content, a newsletter, and exclusive merchandise and live events, Just Women’s Sports is committed to making it both easy and fun to be a women’s sports fan. Add us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justwomenssports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/justwsports Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justwomenssports?

In this weeks episode, Claire breaks down every position group in the USWNT roster release for their 3 game friendly matchup against Japan. Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson make their returns. Can Olivia Moultrie take her success with the Thorns to the National Team in a crowded midfield. Plus finding depth at outside back. 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/ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 04:40 Forwards 09:11 Midfielders 14:38 Center Backs 17:35 Outside Backs 20:27 Goalkeepers Just Women’s Sports is the leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. In a world where women’s sports have been historically underfunded and under-promoted, Just Women’s Sports exists to shine a light on all the stories, athletes and moments that define and fuel the space. Through original podcasts, premium video programming, social media, editorial content, a newsletter, and exclusive merchandise and live events, Just Women’s Sports is committed to making it both easy and fun to be a women’s sports fan. Add us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justwomenssports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/justwsports Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justwomenssports?

In this weeks episode, Claire breaks down three of the NWSL weekend’s trends as the chaos begins in earnest, including red cards galore, talent evaluation, and Angel City’s deepest roster yet.

In this weeks episode, Claire breaks down the big picture of Catarina Macario’s impending debut in the NWSL, in the context of last years USWNT exodus turning into a more balanced season upon which a lot of US decisions will be made about the rising stars of the NWSL.

The NWSL season has arrived and we've got everything you need to know on this week’s episode of The Late Sub. Who’s improved, what can fans expect on the field, and who's ultimately competing for a title in 2026.

In this week's episode, Claire takes a look at the USWNT's first two SheBelieves Cup games, crediting the team's control, ability to turn the field, and roster integration, while still asking a few questions about attacking setup and best personnel in key areas.

In this week’s episode, Claire checks in on how USWNT players have been faring in Europe, as they prepare to rejoin the U.S. prior to this weekend’s SheBelieves Cup. She talks instant success, and the few question marks that still exist as the USWNT’s club balance leans more European than ever.

In today’s episode, Claire takes a deeper look at the upcoming USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster: who's in, who's out, with notes from Emma Hayes’s press conference following the squad announcement.

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks downs the ins and outs of NWSL media day, the return of Triple Espresso, some key injury updates, and some interesting notes from chatting with the NWSL’s best and brightest prior to preseason kicking off.

In today's episode, Claire reflects on the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup: what Arsenal's victory means, some of the logistical hiccups shaping the tournament, and how FIFA can use the first iteration of the competition to improve international club competitions — but only if they're invested in the product.

In this week's episode, Claire takes a big picture look at the USWNT's January camp in its entirety after two dominant wins against Paraguay and Chile - the winners, the lost opportunities, what she thinks will actually be carried by the team into the future and what might just be a showcase of what US soccer can show fans right now.

In today's episode, Claire gives her immediate takeaways from the USWNT's 6-0 win over Paraguay. New leadership structures, a wealth of versatility, and a few exciting debuts and returns to set the tone for the team's World Cup qualifying year.

In this week’s episode, Claire digs into the USWNT’s January camp roster, pointing out one player from each positional line that she’d like to see get serious time on the pitch in the team’s two upcoming friendlies. She talks roster health, positional fits, and the key element of timing as players establish themselves as consistent options at the international level.

We're back! In this week’s episode, Claire ranks her favorite offseason NWSL transactions: the good, the pretty good, and the headscratchers. She talks transfers into the league, a rumored big departure, and what projects are coming together faster than others.

We're closing out 2025 with a bang! In this week’s episode, Claire makes a few predictions for 2026, chatting about transfer possibilities, World Cup qualifying, way too early MVP candidates in more. Thanks everyone for listening through a great year of soccer, we’ll see y’all in January.

In this week’s episode, Claire runs down the timeline that’s led to Trinity Rodman’s contract dispute with the NWSL, where the league is falling short and the pressure the ongoing saga places on one of the most exciting talents in the game.

Subscribe: https://pod.link/1563105123 In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down the USWNT friendlies against Italy. Claire shares her biggest takeaways heading into 2026, from what these lineups told us about the midfield, what its means to have Naomi Girma back, and what opponents shouldn't do against his team. 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/ Just Women’s Sports is the leading digital media platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. In a world where women’s sports have been historically underfunded and under-promoted, Just Women’s Sports exists to shine a light on all the stories, athletes and moments that define and fuel the space. Through original podcasts, premium video programming, social media, editorial content, a newsletter, and exclusive merchandise and live events, Just Women’s Sports is committed to making it both easy and fun to be a women’s sports fan. Listen to The Late Sub with Claire Watkins here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-late-sub-with-claire-watkins/id1563105123 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4n4ZxsVs1Ix9DY9E0KPSc6 iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-late-sub-with-claire-81239737/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c457a882-c376-4e46-8380-d7471ed29d4c/the-late-sub-with-claire-watkins Add us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justwomenssports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/justwsports Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justwomenssports?

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down NWSL championship weekend, on getting a sense of both Washington and Gotham’s dynamics going into Saturdays game, and how the Bats put themselves in a position to strike for a second championship in three years. Then, she does a quick breakdown of this week’s USWNT roster, as the team prepares to close out the year against Italy.

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down last weekend’s semifinal action, and previews a championship game between two of the more ambitious clubs in the entire NWSL. Then, she chats with Bay FC defender Abby Dahlkemper, about Sutter Heath and the club’s support for family planning as she plans for a very exciting 2026.

In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down what she got right and what she got very wrong about the NWSL quarterfinals, which team has the biggest chip on their shoulder, and what may or may not happen when the semifinals hit this weekend.