Seeking First-Ever Back-to-Back Wins, Utah Hosts Alex Morgan, Marta, Sydney Leroux & Orlando Pride;
Tickets Available via www.UtahRoyalsFC.com or by Calling 844.Real.Tix for 7:00 p.m. MT Kickoff;
Game Airs Locally on KYMU, the RSL on KSL TV App and ESPN 700 AM Radio
Sandy, UT (Tuesday, May 8, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (1-1-4, 7 pts., NWSL 6th place) look to string together back-to-back wins for the first time in team history Wednesday night against the Orlando Pride at Rio Tinto Stadium with kickoff in the club’s first-ever rematch at 7:00 p.m. MT. Orlando Pride (2-2-2, 8 pts., NWSL 5th place) arrives at the RioT for the first time this season, with a week’s worth of rest after defeating the Chicago Red Stars by a 2-0 scoreline last Wednesday in the Windy City.
URFC Head Coach Laura Harvey’s side claimed three points Saturday in a dominant 2-0 win over Washington, with FW Kelley O’Hara providing the game-winner in the 7th minute with her first URFC goal. FW Diana Matheson provided the insurance strike in support of GK Abby Smith and the team’s defensive efforts for the gold-clad club.
Utah kicked off its existence with a 1-1 draw at Orlando back on March 24 in the club’s inaugural game, as MF Gunny Jonsdottir wrote history just three minutes into the match after scoring a sliding volley past Orlando GK Ashlyn Harris, timed perfectly from a Matheson assist. The Utah side continued to dominate the run of play, but a dubious handball call led to a converted Marta penalty kick in the 21st minute, ultimately resulting in a 1-1 draw at Orlando City Stadium.
“I’m guessing that their [Orlando] personnel will be different this time, but apart from that, I don’t think they have changed that much. We did a good job of applying pressure when we were down there, but I think we need to control the tempo more than we did in that game,” explained Harvey on what needs to be down to break down the Pride.
How to Follow Utah Royals FC v. Orlando Pride – Wed., May 9, 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 Wednesday’s URFC v. ORL game Available Online
The link to the Adobe PDF version of the Game Guide in advance of Wednesday’s contest between Utah Royals FC and Orlando 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
.
This Wednesday’s match marks the third of a four-game home campaign at Rio Tinto Stadium, with Utah hosting Houston Dash at 1:30 p.m. MT in that Saturday’s NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week. In the inaugural home match back on April 14 – welcoming 19,203 screaming fans – FW Elise Thorsnes and MF Gunny Jonsdottir both found opportunities in front of the frame but were unable to capitalize. USWNT forward Amy Rodriguez also made her return to the pitch, entering late in the game after 363 days of ACL surgery rehab and recovery. A solid possession game gave URFC chances in the attack, but a world-class volley in the first-half from the Chicago midfielder left the team trailing 1-0 for a majority of the match.
Born less than a year 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.
