Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.
Do you know the way to San Jose?
California Dreamin’
Budding rivalries and new partnerships
It was a great weekend for California vs. California action in women’s sports. First, the Golden State Valkyries tipped off their inaugural season, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center for some Friday night WNBA action, then Bay FC hosted Angel City FC on Saturday in the NWSL.
It was also a great weekend for those who love to see their Pinterest boards and podcast feeds come to life.
To explain more, let’s go across the country to our West Coast correspondent, Tamerra Griffin:
Any intra-California sports matchup is automatically appointment viewing for a Sacramento native like me, but Saturday’s meeting between Bay FC and Angel City FC had even more layers than usual.
- It was Angel City’s first game since 20-year-old defender Savy King collapsed during a home game last week and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors detected a heart abnormality that required surgery.
- King, who was the No. 2 draft pick last season, is now thankfully recovering, and it was touching to see both teams wearing “SK3” shirts before the game.
The California derby, which saw Bay win 2-0, also marked the official launch of Unwell FC, the brand owned by “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper.
The company, which sells flavored Unwell Hydration drinks, has partnered with the NWSL to join its existing supporters in their “deep engagement at matches and the powerful sense of community,” as Cooper told me in an email ahead of the game.
Advertisement
To celebrate the launch, Unwell FC hosted a Pinterest-friendly activation, featuring a colorful marquee, photo booth and samples of Unwell Hydration. People still have questions about how this partnership will shake out, but if you weren’t in San Jose to see for yourself, know that Cooper plans to tour this “fan hype group” around the NWSL. If you’re able, I encourage you to see what it’s about for yourself.
Positive update on Savy King
Before we leave the Golden State, a moment for 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio, please?
Yet another teen sensation, Ascanio has started every game for the San Diego Wave this season, and on Friday led her team to a 1-0 victory over Gotham FC before a lively crowd at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey. Take a look for yourself.
It’s safe to say Ascanio is only just getting started, as she’s embracing her goal-scoring role. Her goal on Friday marked her third in four games. Not bad for someone who celebrated their first NWSL goal just 22 days ago.
3 goals in 4 games for 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/DGhAXaWVbx
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) May 17, 2025
Meg’s Corner: Mixed reviews for Unwell FC’s first go
A lot of folks were waiting on the first look at Unwell FC this weekend in the Bay, and after all the angst, it essentially proved to be a pretty standard activation — as marketing speak goes.
First, some credit: The tickets in the Unwell FC section were super affordable (when I looked, they were roughly $30) and more partnerships should be built around keeping the get-in price at a reasonable level for most folks. If this had been presented as such, with a promo jersey and free drinks attached, the whole thing would have flown much more under the radar.
I still have my doubts about how much Cooper’s influence will sway her audience into watching the NWSL or buying tickets. Having spent considerable time in the past couple of NWSL Championship fan zones, the overtly commercial era of the NWSL is already here. Adding in another brand partnership that might hit on a different audience feels way less concerning than positioning Unwell FC as a league supporter’s group, though it still points to Berman and the NWSL front office’s continuing prioritization of the business side over the product on the field.
Advertisement
There’s one big juxtaposition that’s going to remain with me from this match, however: Berman sporting an Unwell FC shirt, posing for photos with Cooper at various locales, while the players from both teams entered the pitch wearing “SK3” shirts as a tribute to King. The priorities were clear on both sides, at least.
Need to Know
Good for business
Just days before Chelsea lifted yet another FA Cup at Wembley (their sixth), the club made headlines off the pitch.
Alexis Ohanian, husband of the GOAT Serena Williams, Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist, purchased an 8 percent stake in Chelsea Women for $32.4 million. The deal, which values the team at around $326 million (£245million), would make Chelsea the most valuable women’s soccer club in the world.
Ohanian, Williams and their daughter Alexis Olympia, who are also Angel City investors, were among 74,412 people at Wembley on Sunday to watch Chelsea cruise past Manchester United 3-0.
But it’s not just tech moguls backing women’s soccer. Last week, Alex Morgan also rejoined the San Diego Wave — this time in the boardroom.
She’s the latest former player to invest in the NWSL, joining a growing list of USWNT alumni who are putting money and muscle behind the league they helped build.
It may look like former players are backing the NWSL just out of loyalty. But the numbers tell a different story.
- When Angel City FC and San Diego Wave joined the league in 2022, expansion fees were just $2 million.
- Fast forward: Angel City was valued at $250 million last summer and Ron Burkle sold the Wave to the Levine Leichtman family office for $113 million last fall.
That’s not just sentiment, that’s smart money.
A new look in Lyon
Club owner Michele Kang has renamed the historically successful Olympique Lyonnais Féminin to OL Lyonnes.
Announced today, the change is a move to further show independence from the men’s team, with which it is no longer associated. It also might be a move to unify Kang’s growing portfolio of teams that includes the Washington Spirit and another lion-themed club: London City Lionesses, who won promotion to the Women’s Super League earlier this month.
OL Lyonnes — the most successful women’s soccer side in the world — has also unveiled a new badge (seen here). The announcement also included a promise to:
- Build a bespoke performance center designed specifically for female athletes that Kang says will set the new global standard.
- Host home matches at Groupama Stadium, a 59,186-seat venue that hosts the men’s team, starting next season.
We are big fans of the colors, but Lyonnes Lions? Is it too much?
What to Watch
Champions League final
📺 Barcelona vs. Arsenal
Saturday at noon ET, free on DAZN and YouTube
The European season finale will take place on Saturday when reigning champions Barcelona take on Arsenal, who are still the only English women’s team to win the trophy with their 2007 victory. It’s very much an underdog situation for the Gunners, but what Renée Slegers has done with just a half season in charge is undeniably impressive.
Full Time First Looks
She’s back: Apparently, retirement means something different to six-time world player of the year Marta. The 39-year-old was called up to the Brazil national team last week despite previously announcing her international retirement.
A tale of two owners: While Alexis Ohanian was front and center for Saturday’s FA Cup win, Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe was nowhere to be found.
Advertisement
Throwing (out)fits: North Carolina Courage forward Jaedyn Shaw turned the pregame walk into her runway, bringing together her Vietnamese heritage and her soccer-playing side with a custom áo dai. It was the perfect look for any game day, but was especially poignant as May is Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month.
📫 Love Full Time? These stories can also be found on Yahoo’s women’s sports hub, in partnership with The Athletic. Also, check out our other newsletters.
(Top photo: Matthew Huang / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Pořádně nejí, nemluví a prášky proti bolesti mu přestaly při zápase fungovat. I tak Lauko skóroval
Herning (Od našeho zpravodaje) - Ve čtvrtek mu maďarský soupeř nešťastně vyhodil dolní čelist z kloubu. Jakub Lauko pak v šatně národního týmu prožil tuze bolavé okamžiky, když mu ji speciálním manévrem lékař týmu Antonín Chochola nahazoval zpátky. I z obyčejného popisu jste měli husí kůži a Lauko přiznává: „Byl to nejbolestivější moment.“Skoro nemohl mluvit i jíst, zvládal jen rozmixovanou stravu, přesto už v pátek nakráčel na trénink s helmou a košíkem a chtěl dál hrát. Trenéři ho pro duel s Kazachstánem raději pošetřili, v pondělí už proti Německu naskočil bez úlev.„První dvě třetiny to docela šlo. Chodil jsem do soubojů, nijak mě to neomezovalo. Ale ve třetí třetině jsem cítil, že mi prášky moc nepomáhají a ke konci už to nebylo nic moc. Jsem rád, že jsme vyhráli, že Vlady (Vladař) udržel nulu a že jsem mohl pomoct týmu,“ říkal pak tiše, protože stále nemůžu příliš pohybovat pusou.Přitom na začátku třetí třetiny […]
Pořádně nejí, nemluví a prášky proti bolesti mu přestaly při zápase fungovat. I tak Lauko skóroval
Herning (Od našeho zpravodaje) - Ve čtvrtek mu maďarský soupeř nešťastně vyhodil dolní čelist z kloubu. Jakub Lauko pak v šatně národního týmu prožil tuze bolavé okamžiky, když mu ji speciálním manévrem lékař týmu Antonín Chochola nahazoval zpátky. I z obyčejného popisu jste měli husí kůži a Lauko přiznává: „Byl to nejbolestivější moment.“Skoro nemohl mluvit i jíst, zvládal jen rozmixovanou stravu, přesto už v pátek nakráčel na trénink s helmou a košíkem a chtěl dál hrát. Trenéři ho pro duel s Kazachstánem raději pošetřili, v pondělí už proti Německu naskočil bez úlev.„První dvě třetiny to docela šlo. Chodil jsem do soubojů, nijak mě to neomezovalo. Ale ve třetí třetině jsem cítil, že mi prášky moc nepomáhají a ke konci už to nebylo nic moc. Jsem rád, že jsme vyhráli, že Vlady (Vladař) udržel nulu a že jsem mohl pomoct týmu,“ říkal pak tiše, protože stále nemůžu příliš pohybovat pusou.Přitom na začátku třetí třetiny […]
Handball-Sensation! – Pleite-Klub kurz vor Aufstieg
Dieser Klub aus der 2. Handball-Bundesliga muss sich vorkommen wie der Hauptdarsteller in einem Sport-Märchen.Montagabend siegte der TV Hüttenberg 32:22 beim feststehenden Absteiger HSG Konstanz, die Mittelhessen haben damit Platz 2 hinter dem Bergischen HC zementiert. Der TV Hüttenberg, der im Herbst 2023 kurz vor der Insolvenz stand, sorgt für die Handball-Sensation des Jahres.Foto: BILD<!-->]-->Handball: Pleite-Klub kurz vor AufstiegSie sind einfach nicht kleinzubekommen, diese Hüttenberger. Im Oktober 2023 sorgte eine Crowdfunding-Aktion für die erfolgreiche Rettung des Traditionsvereins. Im April gab es die Lizenz für die erste und die zweite Bundesliga von der HBL ohne Auflagen. „Die Lizenzerteilung ist ein erster Lohn für die harte Arbeit der letzten Wochen“, sagte Hüttenbergs Geschäftsführer Timm Schneider (36) damals. „Es ist keineswegs selbstverständlich, dass wir es gemeinsam geschafft haben, den Hüttenberger Bundesligahandball, der kurz vor dem Aus stand, soweit zu transformieren, dass ein Hüttenberger […]
Europe is a target, not an obsession for Brighton – and the dream is still alive
Brighton & Hove Albion owner-chairman Tony Bloom talked up the chances of Europe happening for the second time in the club’s 124-year history in the early stages of the season.The lifelong fan, not noted for hyperbole on the rare occasions that he speaks in public, was in bullish mood about prospects during an interview with The Athletic in September.AdvertisementBrighton were third in the Premier League table at that stage under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler after wins away to Everton and at home to Manchester United, followed by a draw at Arsenal. Bloom stated: “Our long-term vision of (regular finishes in the Premier League) top 10 doesn’t change, but certainly this season, we think we have a great chance of qualifying for Europe.”Bloom’s hopes are still alive after Brighton’s home campaign ended with a rousing 3-2 victory over champions Liverpool […]
Tottenham vs Manchester United Europa League final odds: Wacky bets to make a bad final fun
For more stories like this click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.Unless you’re a Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United fan, you’re probably not looking forward to this week’s UEFA Europa League final — and who could blame you?It is, after all, a tragic showdown between the 16th- and 17th-best teams in the Premier League. Neither score very often, and both lose frequently. While an element of “who can save their season from absolute disaster?” is quite engaging, ultimately, we’re steeling ourselves for a bad watch.AdvertisementIn these situations wacky, weird and wonderful bets become your best friend. We’ve cooked up three different, strange angles to wager on, transforming what we think will be the bad bits of the match into bets that work in our favour.No goals, some goals, a lot of […]
From Brazil to Belgrade: Those who found Nottingham Forest’s stars – what they felt then, and now
It is the group of players who have taken Nottingham Forest to their first European odyssey for 30 years. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team — widely tipped for relegation at the start of the season — have already confirmed a place in Europe and might still qualify for the Champions League if they can beat Chelsea in their final Premier League game. The Athletic wanted to do something special to mark Forest’s achievement and celebrate the players who have brought modern-day success to the club who won successive European Cups — the previous, straight-knockout guise of what has since become the Champions League — under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980.AdvertisementWe have found many of the scouts — the talent-spotters, often unseen, always looking for the game’s stars of tomorrow — who could take credit for discovering each Forest player. Or, […]
Related
Pořádně nejí, nemluví a prášky proti bolesti mu přestaly při zápase fungovat. I tak Lauko skóroval
Herning (Od našeho zpravodaje) - Ve čtvrtek mu maďarský soupeř nešťastně vyhodil dolní čelist z kloubu. Jakub Lauko pak v šatně národního týmu prožil tuze bolavé okamžiky, když mu ji speciálním manévrem lékař týmu Antonín Chochola nahazoval zpátky. I z obyčejného popisu jste měli husí kůži a Lauko přiznává: „Byl to nejbolestivější moment.“Skoro nemohl mluvit i jíst, zvládal jen rozmixovanou stravu, přesto už v pátek nakráčel na trénink s helmou a košíkem a chtěl dál hrát. Trenéři ho pro duel s Kazachstánem raději pošetřili, v pondělí už proti Německu naskočil bez úlev.„První dvě třetiny to docela šlo. Chodil jsem do soubojů, nijak mě to neomezovalo. Ale ve třetí třetině jsem cítil, že mi prášky moc nepomáhají a ke konci už to nebylo nic moc. Jsem rád, že jsme vyhráli, že Vlady (Vladař) udržel nulu a že jsem mohl pomoct týmu,“ říkal pak tiše, protože stále nemůžu příliš pohybovat pusou.Přitom na začátku třetí třetiny […]
Pořádně nejí, nemluví a prášky proti bolesti mu přestaly při zápase fungovat. I tak Lauko skóroval
Herning (Od našeho zpravodaje) - Ve čtvrtek mu maďarský soupeř nešťastně vyhodil dolní čelist z kloubu. Jakub Lauko pak v šatně národního týmu prožil tuze bolavé okamžiky, když mu ji speciálním manévrem lékař týmu Antonín Chochola nahazoval zpátky. I z obyčejného popisu jste měli husí kůži a Lauko přiznává: „Byl to nejbolestivější moment.“Skoro nemohl mluvit i jíst, zvládal jen rozmixovanou stravu, přesto už v pátek nakráčel na trénink s helmou a košíkem a chtěl dál hrát. Trenéři ho pro duel s Kazachstánem raději pošetřili, v pondělí už proti Německu naskočil bez úlev.„První dvě třetiny to docela šlo. Chodil jsem do soubojů, nijak mě to neomezovalo. Ale ve třetí třetině jsem cítil, že mi prášky moc nepomáhají a ke konci už to nebylo nic moc. Jsem rád, že jsme vyhráli, že Vlady (Vladař) udržel nulu a že jsem mohl pomoct týmu,“ říkal pak tiše, protože stále nemůžu příliš pohybovat pusou.Přitom na začátku třetí třetiny […]
Handball-Sensation! – Pleite-Klub kurz vor Aufstieg
Dieser Klub aus der 2. Handball-Bundesliga muss sich vorkommen wie der Hauptdarsteller in einem Sport-Märchen.Montagabend siegte der TV Hüttenberg 32:22 beim feststehenden Absteiger HSG Konstanz, die Mittelhessen haben damit Platz 2 hinter dem Bergischen HC zementiert. Der TV Hüttenberg, der im Herbst 2023 kurz vor der Insolvenz stand, sorgt für die Handball-Sensation des Jahres.Foto: BILD<!-->]-->Handball: Pleite-Klub kurz vor AufstiegSie sind einfach nicht kleinzubekommen, diese Hüttenberger. Im Oktober 2023 sorgte eine Crowdfunding-Aktion für die erfolgreiche Rettung des Traditionsvereins. Im April gab es die Lizenz für die erste und die zweite Bundesliga von der HBL ohne Auflagen. „Die Lizenzerteilung ist ein erster Lohn für die harte Arbeit der letzten Wochen“, sagte Hüttenbergs Geschäftsführer Timm Schneider (36) damals. „Es ist keineswegs selbstverständlich, dass wir es gemeinsam geschafft haben, den Hüttenberger Bundesligahandball, der kurz vor dem Aus stand, soweit zu transformieren, dass ein Hüttenberger […]
Europe is a target, not an obsession for Brighton – and the dream is still alive
Brighton & Hove Albion owner-chairman Tony Bloom talked up the chances of Europe happening for the second time in the club’s 124-year history in the early stages of the season.The lifelong fan, not noted for hyperbole on the rare occasions that he speaks in public, was in bullish mood about prospects during an interview with The Athletic in September.AdvertisementBrighton were third in the Premier League table at that stage under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler after wins away to Everton and at home to Manchester United, followed by a draw at Arsenal. Bloom stated: “Our long-term vision of (regular finishes in the Premier League) top 10 doesn’t change, but certainly this season, we think we have a great chance of qualifying for Europe.”Bloom’s hopes are still alive after Brighton’s home campaign ended with a rousing 3-2 victory over champions Liverpool […]
Tottenham vs Manchester United Europa League final odds: Wacky bets to make a bad final fun
For more stories like this click here to follow The Athletic’s sports betting section and have them added to your feed.Unless you’re a Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United fan, you’re probably not looking forward to this week’s UEFA Europa League final — and who could blame you?It is, after all, a tragic showdown between the 16th- and 17th-best teams in the Premier League. Neither score very often, and both lose frequently. While an element of “who can save their season from absolute disaster?” is quite engaging, ultimately, we’re steeling ourselves for a bad watch.AdvertisementIn these situations wacky, weird and wonderful bets become your best friend. We’ve cooked up three different, strange angles to wager on, transforming what we think will be the bad bits of the match into bets that work in our favour.No goals, some goals, a lot of […]
From Brazil to Belgrade: Those who found Nottingham Forest’s stars – what they felt then, and now
It is the group of players who have taken Nottingham Forest to their first European odyssey for 30 years. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team — widely tipped for relegation at the start of the season — have already confirmed a place in Europe and might still qualify for the Champions League if they can beat Chelsea in their final Premier League game. The Athletic wanted to do something special to mark Forest’s achievement and celebrate the players who have brought modern-day success to the club who won successive European Cups — the previous, straight-knockout guise of what has since become the Champions League — under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980.AdvertisementWe have found many of the scouts — the talent-spotters, often unseen, always looking for the game’s stars of tomorrow — who could take credit for discovering each Forest player. Or, […]
Be the first to leave a comment