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 on all things USWNT, NWSL and whatever else is popping off in women's soccer each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every soccer fan. You can find The Late Sub wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Episodes

NWSL changing of the guard

October 2, 2025 • 24 mins
This week, Claire reflects on the retirement of Angel City captain Ali Riley, amidst a larger generational shift in the NWSL that has seen giants of the game step away while young stars rise. How has the league’s new CBA impacted the overall storytelling as the league creates new stars, and has the NWSL taken advantage of a quiet year for the USWNT?
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Do better, Ballon d'Or...

September 25, 2025 • 22 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire reflects on this week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, breaking down the issues with modern football awards that can leave the women’s game looking like an afterthought, especially for players neither from or playing in Europe.
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Can the NWSL salary cap keep up with stars like Jaedyn Shaw?

September 11, 2025 • 25 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire reflects on the news Jaedyn Shaw is making a record NWSL transfer to Gotham FC, breaking down how million dollar trades work within a salary cap system that nonetheless keeps salaries restricted. She chats transfer growth, salaries vs transfer fees, and why certain players earning big ticket salaries doesn’t end the concerns risen by the high profile transfer of Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea.
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Alyssa Thompson's transfer is concerning for NWSL

September 4, 2025 • 22 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire discusses the implications of Alyssa Thompson’s possible impending transfer to Chelsea, with the WSL season upon us primed to have its biggest season ever, and the NWSL trying to keep up in an ever-shifting global market.
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Kansas City Current: Championship or Bust | The Late Sub

August 28, 2025 • 22 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire takes a deeper look at Kansas City’s historic success this season, what on-field tweaks Vlatko Andonovski has implemented to set the team up for long-term consistency after falling just short in 2024, and what an almost assured Shield win might mean for the team’s championship chances.
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NWSL trades we'd like to see!

August 21, 2025 • 23 mins
This week, Claire takes a look around the NWSL and proposes a few suggestions to a hypothetical league-wide trade market after the return from the international break has garnered mostly draws. What should your team do to shore up their roster before the end of the regular season?
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Is Portland back? A deep dive into the Thorns

August 14, 2025 • 21 mins
In this week's episode, Claire takes a deeper look at the Portland Thorns after their expectation re-setting win over Seattle. She talks through why on their best day the Thorns could be a serious postseason contender, why they still need to raise their floor, and why it matters that one of the founding clubs of the NWSL finds their way.
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Ranking the NWSL rivalries

August 7, 2025 • 24 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down NWSL Rivalry Week, ranking each of this weekend’s matchups into tiers based on drama potential, national relevance, regional history and more. Which games have the juice, and which ones feel more like they’re being stashed.
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The NWSL returns! A preview into the remainder of the season

July 31, 2025 • 23 mins
The NWSL is back, and we’ve got a lot to catch up on! This week, Claire takes a trip through the NWSL standings, talking first half surprises, disappointments, individual performances, and who could end up hoisting the Shield and Championship trophies at the end of the season.
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Can England upset Spain? A look into the Euros final

July 24, 2025 • 20 mins
The Euros final is here, with two usual suspects matching up in a World Cup rematch that features two very different styles of football. Claire breaks down how we got here, as England keeps their unlikely story going against a Spain team that has looked near unbeatable all tournament.
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Who's going to win the Euros?

July 16, 2025 • 19 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire looks back on the 2025 Euro’s group stage, challenging her own pre-tournament predictions, underdog stories and heavyweights showing off, setting the tone for the knockout stages. How much did she get right? Let’s find out.
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Way too early USWNT World Cup qualifying roster

July 10, 2025 • 23 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire takes a look at the larger USWNT player pool and compiles her way too early World Cup qualifying roster. She talks hopeful returns, new names that have played themselves into the mix, and positional battles that are resolving themselves faster than expected.
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Who Stood Out for the USWNT

July 3, 2025 • 26 mins
This week, Claire breaks down another very strong international window for the USWNT after they looked dominant against Ireland and Canada. She talks impressive performances, the return of set pieces, and a few minor tweaks still to be made before things get serious in October.
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A USWNT fan's GUIDE to the Euros

June 26, 2025 • 22 mins
This week, Claire takes a break from soccer action in the U.S. to give an American soccer fans perspective on the upcoming Euros: favorites, underdogs, NWSL connections, and who might be in danger of crashing out of the group stage.
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Rose Lavelle’s return to the USWNT

June 18, 2025 • 22 mins
In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down the recently-announced USWNT roster for three upcoming friendlies - talking about how to avoid player burn out, happy returns, fresh faces, which positional groups are still up in the air and which areas are beginning to feel a little more set.
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Where does the Washington Spirit go from here?

June 12, 2025 • 34 mins
On this weeks episode, Claire sits down with USA Today and Pro Soccer Wire writer Jason Anderson, to talk about Washington Spirit manager Jonatan Giraldez jumping ship for OL Lyonnes, including this means for the team’s roster, how this impacts Michele Kang’s multi club ownership, and just how salty about this move fans should be.
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Who is stepping up for the USWNT

June 4, 2025 • 22 mins
This week, Claire digs into the performances that stood out in two big USWNT wins to close out the international break, including a big step forward in the goalkeeping race and a midfield project with many layers. She also lists her missed opportunities, as the year of great roster experimentation crosses the six month mark.
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USWNT roster: Who’s in and who’s out

May 29, 2025 • 21 mins
In today’s episode, Claire discusses the quiet importance of this weeks international window for the U.S., as Emma Hayes’s system takes full effect. She talks about players who missed the cut, fresh faces ready for a chance to shine, and what the team can expect in their two upcoming friendlies. Note: this episode was recorded before Gisele Thompson was pulled from the USWNT camp due to injury.
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Is Debinha running away with NWSL MVP? A look into the current top candidates

May 15, 2025 • 19 mins
On this week’s episode, Claire presents her MVP candidate shortlist as the NWSL season dips into the second third of the year. Attackers have been reigning supreme, but which pros and cons could lead to the biggest individual award of 2025?
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Everyone gave up on the San Diego Wave way too quickly

May 8, 2025 • 19 mins
Subscribe: https://pod.link/1563105123 In this week’s episode, Claire breaks down what many believed to be the implosion of the San Diego Wave losing the likes of Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma, but did we assume to much. With this season's start, it may show they are set up for success. 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...
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