- Kate Del Fava joins U-23 U.S. national team for Brazil friendlies June 1-9.
- Other Royals FC players called up include Palacios, Prasnikar, Thomsen and McGlynn.
- Real Salt Lake's Sanabria and Henry called up for Uruguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
SANDY — Kate Del Fava was honored to receive the email, but there was just one small problem.
The Utah Royals FC "iron woman" who has played in 111 straight matches that include the best start in franchise history opened her email to a notification from U.S. Soccer. Del Fava, who starred on the club circuit in her native Kenosha, Wisconsin, before being drafted by the Royals in the second round of the 2020 NWSL college draft was finally being called up by the United States women's national team.
Well, sort of.
Del Fava, who will turn 28 this summer, was being called up by head coach Heather Dyche and the Under-23 national team for training camp and a pair of friendlies June 1-9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She's one of five "overage" players on the roster that will face Brazilian A1 side SC Corinthians Paulista, who are currently in first in the Brasileirao Feminino Serie A1 after finishing runners-up in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup last February.
"I thought it was a typo," Del Fava admitted after the Royals' 2-2 draw with Portland to remain among the top teams in the 16-team NWSL through the World Cup break.
This summer will mark the third training camp for the U-23 squad, which will train alongside the senior national tea, in Brazil. That means manager Emma Hayes will have constant contact with the group, albeit before a pair of senior friendlies against Brazil beginning June 6 in Sao Paulo and June 9 in Fortaleza, according to a release from U.S. Soccer.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to represent the crest," Del Fava added. "It's always been a lifelong dream of mine, and it's nice to see that this run of form is paying off. But I'm focused on the group right now, and I just want to see us keep succeeding. Whatever happens there, happens. I'm really happy to be where I'm at right now."
Del Fava wasn't the only international call-up as the NWSL enters a CBA-mandated break from June 8-14 and the remainder of the month during the group stage of the FIFA men's World Cup. Others include:
- Kiana Palacios, forward (Mexico)
- Lara Prasnikar, forward (Slovenia)
- Janni Thomsen, defender (Denmark)
- Mandy McGlynn, goalkeeper (United States)
- Cloe Lacasse, forward (Canada)
- Kameron Simmonds, defender (Jamaica)
On the men's side, no Real Salt Lake players were called up by United States manager Mauricio Pochettino for the men's World Cup on home soil — though attacking talisman Diego Luna and rising star wing back Zavier Gozo were both mentioned as possibilities in the months leading up to the selection.
But Juan Manuel Sanabria, the wing back who has already started 10 of 11 matches with six assists in his first season in Salt Lake, has been called in by Uruguay. Reserve center back Kobi Henry was also called up by Trinidad and Tobago for international duty, including starting in a friendly against Korea Republic in Provo.
The Royals will return to NWSL play Sunday, July 5 on the road against the Chicago Stars. The club returns to Utah on Friday, July 10 to host Gotham FC (8 p.m. MT, Victory+).
Real Salt Lake is back in MLS play for a three-match road trip beginning July 22 at LAFC (8:30 p.m. MT, FS1 and Apple TV). The club will return home to host three matches of the inter-league Leagues Cup beginning Aug. 4 against Tigres (8 p.m. MT, Apple TV).
