Newest URFC Addition Christen Press Makes Club Debut After Signing Last Week;
URFC Moves to 2-1-3 Through Six Matches at Home in Inaugural Season;
Pride Night Highlights Match in Front of Second Largest Crowd in Club History;
Royals FC Returns to Action on Saturday June 30th with Tickets Still Available atUtahRoyalsFC.com or by Calling 844.REAL.TIX
SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, June 27, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (4-3-6, 18 points) played to a scoreless draw with Seattle Reign FC, Head Coach Laura Harvey’s former side on Wednesday night. The match was played in front of the second largest crowd in URFC history of 8,504 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
From the out, URFC peppered the Reign FC goal as MF Diana Matheson rifled a long distance strike off the crossbar in just the 2nd minute of play. In the first half Utah controlled the match both offensive and defensively, limiting the visitors to just one shot on goal which GK Abby Smith handled with ease. In her URFC debut, FW Christen Press showed her attacking prowess, placing a pair of shots of her own on goal.
The second half felt a burst of energy as URFC threw everything forward in search of the game’s opening goal. Harvey brought on FW Erica Tymrak in the game’s 77th minuteand the second half substitute nearly found the winner, but her shot was deflected out for a corner kick.
In second half stoppage time Press nearly found her first goal with URFC but her last ditch effort was blocked just inside the box, ensuring the 0-0 scoreline.
UP NEXT: URFC remains at Rio Tinto Stadium to host Sky Blue FC on Saturday, June 30 at 8:00 p.m. MT in Sandy.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
SEA – Michelle Betos, 89th minute: URFC newcomer Christen Press found space to fire a narrow shot towards the near post that nearly snuck between the legs of Betos. Betos did well to deflect the shot and recover the loose ball to keep the clean sheet late in the match.
NOTES:
- FW Christen Press made her club debut in the match Seattle Reign FC as her start and 90 minutes played in her first outing showed the fans an electrifying attacking show.
- The match was the club’s Pride Night that featured Equality promotion throughout the entirety of the match.
- The Goals for Girls Program was in attendance at the match ahead of its summit held at the Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman running from Thursday to Saturday.
- The match was played in front of the second largest crowd in URFC history as 8,504 fans turned out to Rio Tinto Stadium to watch Laura Harvey face her former side for the first time.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs Seattle Reign FC
Date: June 27, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 8,504
Weather: Sunny and 90 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 0 0
Seattle Reign FC 0 0 0
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith; Katie Bowen, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Becca Moros; Desiree Scott, Gunny Jonsdottir, Diana Matheson (Katie Stengel, 68’); Katrina Gorry, Amy Rodriguez (Erika Tymrak, 77’), Christen Press
Subs not used: Nicole Barnhart, Samantha Johnson, Lo’eau LaBonta, Elise Thorsnes, Brittany Ratcliffe
Seattle Reign FC (4-3-3): Michelle Betos; Theresa Nielsen, Megan Oyster, Kristen McNabb, Stephanie Catley; Allie Long, Morgan Andrews (Alyssa Kleiner, 46’), Rumi Utsugi; Nahomi Kawasumi (Beverly Yanez, 71’), Jodie Taylor (Jasmyne Spencer, 84’), Megan Rapinoe
Subs not used: Madeline Bauer, Adriana Leon, Christen Westphal, Lydia Williams
Stats Summary: URFC/SEA
Shots: 18 / 7
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Corner Kicks: 4 / 0
Fouls: 5 / 9
Offside: 1 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SEA – Stephanie Catley (caution) 59’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: Chris Elliott, Deleana Quan
4th Official: Hamed Sadeghi
