How Gotham won the Shield & 2026 NWSL Awards picks | Full Time Podcast

Gotham FC are your 2026 NWSL Shield champions, after topping the standings on the final day of the regular season. So, how did Gotham clinch a first-ever Shield in team history, and what other drama unfolded as the playoff spots were locked in? On this episode of Full Time, moments after the final whistle on Decision Day, the podcast breaks down Gotham’s historic win, San Diego Wave’s second-place finish, and the Seattle Reign squeaking into the eighth and final playoff spot. PLUS: With the NWSL regular season complete and ballots due this week, The Athletic’s Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin give their picks on who should take home the 2026 NWSL Awards. Can Ashley Sanchez still be MVP even though the NC Courage missed the playoffs? Why does Coach of the Year feel wide open? And, as wild as it sounds, should Defender of the Year be about defending? ------------ #nwsl #uswnt #wsl ------------ Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter to get all the latest women's soccer news straight to your inbox every Tuesday: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/news... Get in touch: fulltime@theathletic.com Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime Catch the full episodes of Full Time right here 🎙️👇 ➡️ https://apple.co/3RJUen2 ➡️ https://spoti.fi/3W25Q77