The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. You can find every episode of the Late Sub on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your audio. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Episodes

December 31, 2024 26 mins
It’s the final Late Sub of the season, and Claire is looking ahead. She talks wishes for 2025 including USWNT experimentation, NWSL parity, WNBA tactical evolution and more. Thanks to everyone who listened this year!
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In this week’s episode, Claire takes a trip down memory lane, talking through her favorite and most memorable women’s sports stories of the year. She talks the explosion of basketball, the transformation of the USWNT, an Olympics to remember and more.
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In today's episode, Claire gives a salute to the career of USWNT legend Becky Sauerbrunn, and reflects on the end of an era for both the NWSL and the US as titans of the game step away. Then, she gives initial reactions on a major NWSL trade that’s sending Lynn Williams to Seattle, sets up a quick viewing guide for the weekend, and more.
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In today’s episode, Claire takes a deeper look at Notre Dame’s big win over UConn, what it means for the early NPOY race, and some very encouraging signs for TV viewership. Then, she touches on the Euros draw, the NCAA volleyball tournament, college prospect signings in the NWSL, and more.
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In today’s episode, Claire hits a few big women’s sports headlines before sitting down with Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase to talk through the expansion draft, building a roster from scratch, how she’d like her team to play and the fundamentals that she thinks will build a lasting locker room culture of winning.
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In today’s episode, Claire takes a look at Golden State’s expansion draft and South Carolina’s great week dominating two Top 10 matchups. She then takes a trip around the world of women's sports, including NWSL free agency, and more notes on college soccer, NCAA volleyball, PWHL hockey and more.
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In today’s episode, Claire takes a break from the soccer trenches to catch up on all the goings on in other women’s sports in the states. She chats college hoops, WNBA upheaval, hockey stars, volleyball conference dominance and maybe just a little bit of soccer updates because who can stay away.
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In today's episode, Claire wraps up a wild year of the USWNT, as their very dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands showed how far they’ve come and what they’ll need to continue to progress on in 2025. She chats midfield lessons, club vs national team form, and yet another epic Alyssa Naeher performance that only underlines how much she’ll be missed in retirement.
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November 30, 2024 23 mins
The USWNT played to a scoreless draw against England on Saturday, and Claire hops on immediately after to give her thoughts! On Alyssa Naeher’s retirement, the pros and cons of playing the veteran midfield, attacking inexperience and why the U.S. should feel fine with the result.
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November 26, 2024 30 mins
On today’s episode, Claire recaps another wonderful wild NWSL championship weekend, the before, during, and after of Orlando’s historic win in the title game. She talks industry events, Marta lore, officiating, big defense moments and more. We had a blast during the 2024 NWSL season and we can’t wait to do it again.
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On today’s episode, Claire breaks down the ins and outs of the NWSL championship matchup between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit - key contributors, where on the field the game might be won, and what a title win would mean to either franchise after historically strong seasons. Then she does a quick news roundup touching on college basketball, NWSL awards, and the WNBA going analytic with new coaching hires.
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In today's episode, Claire breaks down the USWNT's November roster, how manager Emma Hayes is able to give new opportunities from a position of strength, and which players Claire is most excited to see out on the pitch against England and the Netherlands. Then, she revels in the incredible NWSL semifinal round, breaking down all the magic that led the Orlando Pride and the Kansas City Current to the NWSL championship game.
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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.
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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 breaking inaugural season.
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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 keep up with Team USA rugby year rou...
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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 an episode. Follow Claire on Twit...
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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.
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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.
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October 25, 2024 29 mins
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.
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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 postseason.
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