Utah Royals rise to third as Kate Del Fava boosts USWNT case
si.com —
The Utah Royals, after finishing in the bottom three last year, now sit third in the NWSL following a 5–1 comeback win over Portland, with defender Kate Del Fava emerging as a potential USWNT candidate. Del Fava scored a header and played every minute, boosted by Emily Sonnett’s injury. Del Fava’s stock rose alongside Gotham rookie Jordynn Dudley, who drew a penalty in a 1–0 win, and North Carolina’s Ashley Sanchez, who scored her 10th goal in a 5–0 victory. Stocks fell for Chicago’s Jameese Joseph, Seattle’s Sam Meza, and Angel City’s Emily Sams, who struggled defensively. The next USWNT window is in October, leaving time for players to build cases. Sophia Wilson scored the season’s fastest goal at 35 seconds, but Portland still lost.