Welcome back to your weekly Sports Illustrated feature breaking down the women’s soccer weekend from a USWNT viewpoint.
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Welcome back to your weekly Sports Illustrated feature breaking down the women’s soccer weekend from a USWNT viewpoint.
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With just a month until the next international window—and likely three weeks before the USWNT roster drops—the pressure is mounting.
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With just a month until the next international window—and likely three weeks before the USWNT roster drops—the pressure is mounting.
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The English Women’s Super League kicked off last weekend, syncing Europe’s calendar with the NWSL and showcasing American stars abroad.
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The English Women’s Super League kicked off last weekend, syncing Europe’s calendar with the NWSL and showcasing American stars abroad.
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Here’s a snapshot of who rose and who fell in value over the past weekend.
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Here’s a snapshot of who rose and who fell in value over the past weekend.
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Stock Up
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Stock Up
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Ashley Sanchez
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Ashley Sanchez
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Ashley Sanchez notched her first NWSL hat‑trick in a 6‑0 North Carolina Courage victory, becoming the first American to reach 18 goals in a single season.
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Ashley Sanchez notched her first NWSL hat‑trick in a 6‑0 North Carolina Courage victory, becoming the first American to reach 18 goals in a single season.
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For my money, Sanchez is a lock for the roster; her surge in the Golden Boot race and MVP chatter makes a USWNT recall inevitable, and Emma Hayes can’t ignore the facts.
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For my money, Sanchez is a lock for the roster; her surge in the Golden Boot race and MVP chatter makes a USWNT recall inevitable, and Emma Hayes can’t ignore the facts.
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No one is converting chances as sharply as Sanchez; the 27‑year‑old outperforms expected goals by 6.28, the league’s highest margin.
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No one is converting chances as sharply as Sanchez; the 27‑year‑old outperforms expected goals by 6.28, the league’s highest margin.
ASHLEY SANCHEZ HAT TRICK 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AyNFIl6blA— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026
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Yazmeen Ryan
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Yazmeen Ryan
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Yazmeen Ryan has quietly built a strong case for a USWNT return, tallying a goal and an assist in Denver Summit’s 3‑0 win over league leaders Gotham FC.
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Yazmeen Ryan has quietly built a strong case for a USWNT return, tallying a goal and an assist in Denver Summit’s 3‑0 win over league leaders Gotham FC.
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Hayes will appreciate Ryan’s smart run into the box, her low‑driven finish and the way she drifts into varied roles for Denver.
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Hayes will appreciate Ryan’s smart run into the box, her low‑driven finish and the way she drifts into varied roles for Denver.
Yazmeen Ryan finds the net to make it 3-0 against the league leaders! pic.twitter.com/F7MssRwlHm— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 6, 2026
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Izzy Rodriguez
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Izzy Rodriguez
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Scoring directly from a corner—an Olimpico—boosts your stock; Izzy Rodriguez’s spectacular strike in KC Current’s 2‑1 win over Bay FC proves it.
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Scoring directly from a corner—an Olimpico—boosts your stock; Izzy Rodriguez’s spectacular strike in KC Current’s 2‑1 win over Bay FC proves it.
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Rodriguez offers a vital left‑wing outlet and solid defensive work, winning six of nine duels; with the USWNT full‑back spot open, she deserves another look.
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Rodriguez offers a vital left‑wing outlet and solid defensive work, winning six of nine duels; with the USWNT full‑back spot open, she deserves another look.
AN OLIMPICO?? 🤯Izzy Rodriguez casually scoring DIRECTLY from the corner! pic.twitter.com/sb3Q3ELusY— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 5, 2026
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Stock Down
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Stock Down
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Reilyn Turner
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Reilyn Turner
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It’s been a funny season for Reilyn Turner. At the start of the year, she looked primed for a breakout campaign with her aerial prowess and playmaking ability in the final third, in full flow. But a knee injury in the first game back after the summer break stunted some of that momentum.
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It’s been a funny season for Reilyn Turner. At the start of the year, she looked primed for a breakout campaign with her aerial prowess and playmaking ability in the final third, in full flow. But a knee injury in the first game back after the summer break stunted some of that momentum.
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Now with Portland Thorns, Turner started their 2‑1 loss to Washington Spirit but was subbed after 63 minutes without a shot or chance.
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Now with Portland Thorns, Turner started their 2‑1 loss to Washington Spirit but was subbed after 63 minutes without a shot or chance.
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Jordan Silkowitz
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Jordan Silkowitz
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Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz has progressed this year, yet a shaky weekend saw her concede two of three shots in Bay FC’s 2‑1 defeat to the Current.
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Goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz has progressed this year, yet a shaky weekend saw her concede two of three shots in Bay FC’s 2‑1 defeat to the Current.
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Rodriguez’s Olimpico was a nightmare for the keeper, and Rocky Rodríguez’s late rocket sealed the win for Kansas City in the 89th minute.
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Rodriguez’s Olimpico was a nightmare for the keeper, and Rocky Rodríguez’s late rocket sealed the win for Kansas City in the 89th minute.
ROCKY RODRÍGUEZ ROCKET 🚀 pic.twitter.com/qTewSJRqUg— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 5, 2026
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Naomi Girma
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Naomi Girma
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After a strong Champions League showing, Naomi Girma sat out Chelsea’s opening WSL match as calf concerns remain under active management.
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After a strong Champions League showing, Naomi Girma sat out Chelsea’s opening WSL match as calf concerns remain under active management.
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Chelsea settled for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, opting not to introduce Girma as they chased three points.
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Chelsea settled for a 1‑1 draw with Aston Villa, opting not to introduce Girma as they chased three points.
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“It’s about fitness,” Abily explained, noting the depth on the bench and the need to protect Girma’s calf from risk.
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“It’s about fitness,” Abily explained, noting the depth on the bench and the need to protect Girma’s calf from risk.
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Chelsea’s three‑back experiment could suit Girma, though it isn’t her natural role; improved fitness and tactical flexibility are essential.
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Chelsea’s three‑back experiment could suit Girma, though it isn’t her natural role; improved fitness and tactical flexibility are essential.