SANDY, Utah (Thursday, February 21, 2019) – Utah Royals FC announced its 2019 regular season schedule in conjunction with the National Women’s Soccer League on Thursday, solidifying the calendar for the club’s second season in the league. URFC enters 2019 having finished its inaugural campaign fifth in the league, just two points removed from playoff contention.
Utah Royals FC will not feature on opening weekend after securing a week one bye and will kick off the season at Rio Tinto Stadium on April 20 against the Washington Spirit. URFC will face three consecutive road matches starting August 11 at Reign FC, followed by Orlando Pride August 17, and Washington Spirit August 21. Head Coach Laura Harvey will lead her side against each opposing team three times throughout the course of the season and finish the year on home soil against the Houston Dash on October 12.
URFC returns core players for 2019 including DF’s Becky Sauerbrunn, Rachel Corsie, Kelley O’Hara, Becca Moros, Samantha Johnson, and Sydney Miramontez. On the attacking side, FW’s Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez, and Katie Stengel all retained for the 2019 season. As previously announced, MF Veronica “Vero” Boquete will also be essential to the Utah Royals FC roster withstanding departures for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. International FIFA breaks are as followed June 10 – June 18, followed by the World Cup running June 7 – July 7, August 26 – September 3, and September 30 – October 8.
Home Opener
Opening the season at home for the first time, URFC will host the Washington Spirit at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. MT. URFC claimed its first ever club win against the Washington Spirit last season. The club’s success continued, as they were undefeated against the Spirit in 2018.
World Cup Year
The NWSL will witness a World Cup year in 2019, with URFC expecting seven players to make appearances with their respective international teams for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in France. The World Cup dates are set for June 7 to July 7 with international team members scheduled to return prior to the end of the NWSL regular season.
The RioT
Rio Tinto Stadium boasted the league’s second-highest attendance during the season, with an average attendance of 9,466 per game. RSL and URFC were also the first professional sports franchises in the state of Utah to host a PRIDE night, held at the venue. The club anticipates hosting a PRIDE night again for the 2019 season.
