Utah Royas FC tie Portland, 1-1.

SANDY, Utah (Saturday, April 28, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (0-1-4, 4 points) FW Amy Rodriguez scored her first NWSL goal since 2015 as URFC got out to an early second-half lead, but the Portland Thorns responded with an equalizer and Royals FC settled for a 1-1 draw in front of 8,446 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Rodriguez made her first start since tearing her ACL in the 2017 season opener and scored in the 53rd minute for her first goal in a Royals uniform. GK Abby Smith one save in the draw as Utah still seeks its first ever victory.
The teams entered the halftime break scoreless with each side earning its share of chances with nothing coming to fruition. The best chance for URFC fell to the feet of Rodriguez whose volleyed effort from five yards sailed over the bar.

Rodriguez didn't waste much time in staking the Royals to a second-half lead though. In the 53rd minute, she got to a ball behind the Portland defense, rounded goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom and worked past another Portland defender before putting her shot into the net for a 1-0 lead. Portland would bounce back in the 67th minute when Christine Sinclair played Tobin Heath on the run and she lifted her shot into the open net past the on-coming GK Abby Smith to make it 1-1.
That's the way the match would end as Utah earned its fourth draw in five matches.

UP NEXT: URFC will remain at home for the second consecutive game as it hosts the Washington Spirit on May 5 at 7:00 p.m. MT from Rio Tinto Stadium.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

UTA: Amy Rodriguez, 53rd minute – Amy Rodriguez outran the Portland defense to get to a through ball, then rounded the goalkeeper and eluded another defender before putting away her first goal of the season for a 1-0 URFC lead.

POR: Tobin Heath (Christine Sinclair) 67th minute – Canadian National Teamer Christine Sinclair played Tobin Heath into space and she lifted her shot past the on-rushing Abby Smith and into the open net to equalize at 1-1.

NOTES:

• URFC FW Amy Rodriguez made her first start for the Utah side, playing 56 minutes. She scored her first goal in a Utah uniform and first NWSL goal since 2015 after missing the 2016 season due to her pregnancy with her second child and all but the opener in 2017 when she tore her ACL.
• FW Katrina Gorry made her first Utah Royals FC appearance, subbing on for Diana Matheson in the 62nd minute. Gorry had been with the Australian National Team in the AFC Women's Asia Cup.

Match: Utah Royals FC vs Portland Thorns FC
Date: April 28, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 8,446
Weather: Sunny and 68 degrees

UTA – Amy Rodriguez 53'
POR – Tobin Heath (Christine Sinclair) 67'
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC: (4-2-3-1): Abby Smith; Sydney Miramontez, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Becca Moros; Gunny Jónsdóttir, Desiree Scott; Elise Thorsnes, Diana Matheson (Katrina Gorry 62'), Kelley O'Hara (Brittany Ratcliffe 79'); Amy Rodriguez (Katie Stengel 56')
Subs not used: Nicole Barnhart, Katie Bowen, Brooke Elby, Erika Tymrak
Portland Thorns FC: (3-4-3): Britt Eckerstrom; Katherine Reynolds, Emily Sonnett, Kelli Hubley; Margaret Purce, Celeste Boureille (Andressa Cavalari Machry 64'), Lindsey Horan, Meghan Klingenberg (Ifeoma Onumonu 65'); Mallory Weber, Christine Sinclair, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Tobin Heath 57')
Subs not used: Elizabeth Ball, Ellie Carpenter, Adelaide Gay, Tyler Lussi
Stats Summary: UTA / POR
Shots: 5 / 11
Shots on Goal: 1 / 3
Saves: 1 / 0
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 6 / 8
Offside: 2 / 1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
POR – Midge Purce (caution) 36'
UTA – Gunny Jónsdóttir (caution) 49'
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Katja Koroleva
Assistant Referees: Shane Kennard, Ian McKay
4th Official: Brad Jensen