URFC Unbeaten in Last Five, While Seeking to Take Additional Road Points;
8:30 p.m. MT Kickoff v. Thorns Airs Live on KMYU, KSL TV App & ESPN700 AM from Providence Park
Sandy, UT (Thursday, May 24, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (2-1-5, 11 pts., NWSL 6th place) fly to Oregon to square off against Portland Thorns FC at Providence Park tomorrow, Friday, May 25, at 8:30 p.m. MT. Utah Head Coach Laura Harvey seeks to continue her personal five-game unbeaten run against Portland, the 2017 NWSL Cup champions, while the Utah club travels after a four-game home stretch that resulted in the capture of eight total points.
URFC has played against Thorns FC on one previous occasion, at Rio Tinto Stadium on April 28 when the Gold-clad FW Amy Rodriguez found the back of the net for the first-ever home goal in club history en route to a 1-1 draw. The Utah side conceded a chip from USWNT midfielder Tobin Heath just minutes after ARod’s historic goal, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Last Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium, Royals FC rode an early-second half goal from FW Erika Tymrak – becoming the seventh different goal-scorer for Harvey’s side – to down the Houston Dash, 1-0, in the NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week. Assisted by Gunny Jonsdotter and left for Tymrak beautifully by Rodriguez, the goal before 8,323 fans made the clean sheet by GK Abby Smith – her fourth of the season and the sixth of her career – stand up for all three URFC points.
Portland Thorns FC currently occupy fourth place of the NWSL standings, with a record of 3-3-3 (12 points) and the NWSL’s second-highest scoring side (12 goals scored, behind N.C. Courage’s 15). This season is Thorns HC Mark Parsons’ third year with the Thorns and his sixth year in the NWSL (serving as the Washington Spirit boss from 2013-15). Last year, Parsons led the Thorns to the NWSL Cup Final, where they beat N.C. Courage 1-0 to clinch the league title.
How to Follow Utah Royals FC v. Portland Thorns FC – Fri., May 25, 2018
- Coverage Begins: 8:30 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 Friday’s URFC v. PTFC game Available Online
The link to the Adobe PDF version of the Game Guide in advance of Friday’s contest between Utah Royals FC and Portland Thorns FC 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 weekend’s match will be the first of a four-game road stretch for URFC, divided by a FIFA break – which will include an international friendly at Rio Tinto Stadium on Thursday, June 7, between the USWNT and China. Tickets available at www.USSoccer.com or www.RioTintoStadium.com.
In the inaugural match at the RioT – welcoming more than 19,000 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, subbing in 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 6,000 season ticket holders, Utah Royals FC tickets are available by calling 844.Real.Tix or by visiting www.UtahRoyalsFC.com.
