In 2023, Riley Jackson turned down an athletic scholarship at Duke University to turn professional with the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL. Two years later, she's a starter on the team and being called up to the USWNT futures camp by Emma Hayes. At the same time, Jackson is also studying for a college degree and working with Duke as a media intern.

On this week's episode of Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits sits down with Jackson to hear all about her breakout season in the NWSL, career paths off the pitch, what it was like to see her best friend and former teammate Jaedyn Shaw depart the Courage, and what her USWNT aspirations are.

PLUS: Get focused with Full Time's 1-2-3 of what to watch this weekend from the big playoff bubble showdown in North Carolina, to the 'Big Four' all going head-to-head in the English Women's Super League.

_______________

Referenced on the show:

Hina Sugita joins Angel City from Portland Thorns in $600,000 plus M.A. Vignola trade

Angel City, New Zealand captain Ali Riley to retire after 2025 NWSL season

_______________

HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUEST: Riley Jackson

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

_______________

Get in touch: ⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠here⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.