Becky Sauerbrunn, Amy Rodriguez and Kelley O’Hara were in their trademark Stars & Stripes, warming up before the U.S. women’s national team’s friendly against Chile at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. All the while, back in suburban Chicago on Tuesday night, whatever sliver of postseason hopes Utah Royals FC had in its inaugural season, swiftly faded away.
The Royals needed help, and needed it from the worst team in the league. They didn’t get it. The Chicago Red Stars wrapped up the fourth and final NWSL postseason spot in a 5-0 rout of still-winless Sky Blue FC.