Riley Jackson: Teenage NWSL starter, budding journalist with a USWNT future

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.