Tuesday roundup: Franch named player of the week

Also in today’s roundup, Sweden and Norway drop rosters, and Rapinoe is added to the injury report

Portland Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch has been named the Player of the Week for Week 20, as voted on by the NWSL Media Association. Her six saves helped secure a Thorns victory over the Orlando Pride, taking third place in the standings and moving one step closer to a playoff return. Franch was called into action numerous times and made several diving saves to deny Marta and Emily Van Egmond, including one in the 63rd minute that won the NWSL Save of the Week.

Coming second in the vote was Rachel Daly. She scored a brace and had a third goal controversially called back in an energetic performance that led the Houston Dash to a 2-1 victory over Sky Blue, keeping Houston’s playoff hopes alive for another week. Rounding out the voting was Megan Oyster in third place. Not only did she help limit Utah to only two shots on goal in Seattle’s 1-0 victory, she also sent in a fantastic ball that Jess Fishlock finished off for the game-winning goal, solidifying their spot in second place.

Sweden, Norway announce World Cup qualifying rosters

Sweden and Norway both announced their latest rosters for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Sweden, currently leading Group D, will face the Ukraine on August 30, while Norway, second in Group C, will take on Slovakia on August 31. Both teams play again on September 4: Sweden against Denmark and Norway against Group C leaders the Netherlands. Notable on Norway’s roster is Utah Royals forward Elise Thorsnes, who has been battling a hamstring strain.

Sweden’s rosters is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk (Göteborg FC), Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea), Zećira Mušović (FC Rosengård)

Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Chelsea), Mia Carlsson (Kristianstads DFF), Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Nilla Fischer (VfL Wolfsburg), Hanna Glas (Eskilstuna United), Amanda Ilestedt (Turbine Potsdam), Anna Oskarsson (Linköpings FC), Linda Sembrant (Montpellier HSC)

Midfielders: Kosovare Asllani (Linköpings FC), Hanna Folkesson (FC Rosengård), Julia Karlernäs (Piteå IF), Nina Jakobsson (Piteå IF), Elin Rubensson (Göteborg FC), Caroline Seger (FC Rosengård)

Forwards: Anna Anvegård (Växjö DFF), Stina Blackstenius (Montpellier HSC), Lina Hurtig (Linköpings FC), Sofia Jakobsson (Monpellier HSC), Mimmi Larsson (Eskilstuna United), Fridolina Rolfö (Bayern Munich), Olivia Schough (Göteborg FC)

Norway’s roster is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk Fotball Kvinner), Cecilie Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner)

Defenders: Ingrid Moe Wold (LSK Kvinner), Maria Thorsdottir (Chelsea), Kristine Bjørdal Leine (Røa), Maren Mjelde (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Maria Dybwad Brochmann (Arna-Bjørnar), Kristine Minde (VfL Wolfsburg), Vilda Risa (Arna-Bjørnar), Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (Linköpings FC), Ingrid Engen (LSK Kvinner), Ingrid Marie Spord (IL Sandviken), Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner), Synne Skinnes Hansen (LSK Kvinner), Caroline Hansen (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Emilie Haavi (LSK Kvinner), Synne Jensen (Stabæk Fotball Kvinner), Elise Thorsnes (Utah Royals FC), Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland (Røa),  Isabell Herlovsen (Vålerenga Fotball Damer)

Rapinoe added to injury report

Seattle Reign forward Megan Rapinoe is a late addition to the NWSL injury report ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the Chicago Red Stars. She increases an already heavy injury list, while Chicago appears to have fully shed their early season injury woes. Seattle is four points clear in second place, while Chicago is in fifth, one point behind Orlando. The full injury report can be seen below.

Chicago Red Stars

OUT: Stephanie McCaffrey (illness)

Seattle Reign FC

OUT: Elizabeth Addo (right knee strain), Yael Averbuch (illness – SEI), Stephanie Catley (excused absence), Kiersten Dallstream (right knee sprain – SEI), Megan Rapinoe (left hip soreness), Rumi Utsugi (left calf strain), Beverly Yanez (right foot fracture)