URFC Plays Second Match of a Four-Game NWSL Home Campaign;
HC Laura Harvey and Co. Seeking Club’s First-Ever Victory;
7:00 p.m. MT Kickoff v. Spirit Broadcast on KMYU, the RSL on KSL App & ESPN 700 AM
Sandy, UT (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (0-1-4, 4 pts., NWSL 7th place) remain home to host the visiting Washington Spirit tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT, and will be broadcast locally via KMYU, the RSL on KSL app, and on ESPN 700 AM, with Greg Wrubell and Carla Haslam providing the call.
The Washington Spirit arrive in Salt Lake City for the first time, recording a 2018 mark of 1-2-2 (5 points), occupying fifth place on the NWSL table. URFC Head Coach Laura Harvey, who holds an all-time mark against the Spirit of 10-4-1 during her time in Seattle, welcomes the visitors to Rio Tinto Stadium, the Spirit led by USWNT members Mallory Pugh, Andi Sullivan, and former BYU star Ashley Hatch.
Utah Royals FC will have a second-consecutive home chance to get their first win in club history this weekend, regrouping after a 1-1 draw last week against the 2017 NWSL Cup champions, Portland Thorns FC. URFC forward Amy Rodriguez made headlines by scoring the club’s first goal at home – just 377 days since tearing her ACL during the 2017 NWSL opener for Kansas City. Captained by DF Becky Sauerbrunn, the Utah side held Portland to only three scoring opportunities, with GK Abby Smith making a crucial save early in the second half.
How to Follow Utah Royals FC v. Washington Spirit – Sat., May 5, 2018
Coverage Begins: 7:00 p.m. MT
Local TV: KMYU – Greg Wrubell & Carla Haslam
Local Radio: ESPN700 AM
Digital Streaming (Utah only): KSL TV app or KSL.com (desktop)
Digital Streaming (outside Utah): Verizon “go90” app or www.NWSLsoccer.com
Game Notes for Saturday’s URFC v. WASH game Available Online
The link to the Adobe PDF version of the Game Guide in advance of Saturday’s contest between Utah Royals FC and the Washington Sprit is available HERE. If you have any problems obtaining the document, would prefer to receive it as an attachment, or are seeking more information on the match, please contact Carla Haslam in the URFC Communications Department via email at chaslam@rsl.com.
The NWSL’s newest team has started off strong in its inaugural campaign, earning road points in each of its three trips to Orlando, Houston and North Carolina. Back on March 24 at Orlando City Stadium against the Pride, MF Gunny Jonsdottir scored the club’s first-ever goal three minutes into the match. A dubious handball later in the half would give Orlando’s Brazilian star, Marta, the chance to convert on a penalty kick, ending the first game in club history in a 1-1 draw.
Since that historic game, URFC has tied scoreless at Houston (March 30), lost to Chicago Red Stars 1-0 at the inaugural home opener (April 14); tied 2-2 at North Carolina Courage (April 21), and tied Portland Thorns FC 1-1 at home (April 28).
Undaunted, the team continues to welcome one of the largest fan bases in the NWSL, with the home opener against Chicago attracting over 19,000 fans – the second largest non-Portland crowd in NWSL history.
Born less than five months ago and already supported by nearly 5,000 season ticket holders, Utah Royals FC tickets are available by calling 844.Real.Tix or visiting www.UtahRoyalsFC.com.
www.UtahRoyalsFC.com
