Early Goal by FW Amy Rodriguez Puts the Utah Side Up Early;
Controversial Penalty Kick by Alex Morgan and Goal from Kristen Edmonds Gives Orlando the Victory;
URFC Now Regroups to Take on Top Team in the NWSL on Friday at Rio Tinto Stadium;
SANDY, UTAH (Saturday, July 14, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (5-6-6, 6th place) suffered their third-consecutive loss this week after falling to the Orlando Pride, 2-1. FW Amy Rodriguez opened the match early with a one-touch volley in the 8th minute, but a controversial penalty kick call allowed Pride FW Alex Morgan to convert on the equalizer before the half. Both teams had chances to score inside the box, but a game winning shot from MF Kristen Edmond in the 52nd proved to be the difference.
Entering the box for her second shot on frame, FW Amy Rodriguez connected with a half-volley from teammate DF Rachel Corsie. Seeing Pride GK Ashlyn Harris off her line, A-Rod coolly tapped the ball over the lurking keeper, scoring her second goal of the season. The team continued to dominate possession, passes, and offensive opportunities up until the PK call.
In the final minute of the first-half, MF Gunny Jonsdottir tugged on the jersey of Alanna Kennedy on an Orlando corner, resulting in a penalty kick for the Florida side – and quickly converted by USWNT striker Alex Morgan – tying the match with one goal each.
The last forty-five were far more even between the two teams, with Orlando firing 12 shots, and Utah responding with eight. Close-chances brought nearly 9,000 spectators to their feet at Rio Tinto Stadium, with FWs Christen Press and Amy Rodriguez finding “big chances” within the eighteen-yard box. The deciding moment of the match began when MF Kristen Edmonds intercepted a ball in Utah’s defensive third, taking a long-shot from outside the box and over the head of GK Abby Smith in the 52nd.
The match quickly got physical after Edmonds goal, with Orlando tallying four yellow cards by the final whistle. GK Abby Smithalso had to be escorted after getting flipped upside down while diving for a ball on an oncoming cross. GK Nicole Barnhartsubbed in late, making several big saves just minutes after replacing Smith.
UP NEXT: Utah Royals FC continue their campaign at home, hosting the N.C. Courage at Rio Tinto Stadium on Friday, July 20, at 8:00 p.m. MT. Utah is the only team to beat Carolina this year, and will need three points if they want to make a play-off run.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
UTA: FW Amy Rodriguez, 8’ – After receiving an half-volley assist from DF Rachel Corsie, Amy Rodriguez tapped a volley within the box over the head of GK Ashlyn Harris – scoring her second goal of the season.
ORL: FW Alex Morgan, 47’ – Morgan found the top right corner on a penalty kick after Pride teammate Alanna Kennedy got brought down in the box on a corner-kick.
ORL: MF Kristen Edmonds, 52’ – After intercepting the ball from Utah in their defensive third, Edmonds took one touch before firing a long-shot from the right side of the box – sailing over the head of GK Abby Smith.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
ORL: GK Ashlyn Harris, 5’ – Amy Rodriguez found a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but hits Harris square in the chest and is cleanly caught.
UTA: GK Abby Smith, 18’ – Alex Morgan dribbled her way into the left-side of the box, finding a one versus one shot against Smith, who sticks a leg out to block the far-post shot.
ORL: GK Ashlyn Harris, 43’ – Katie Bowen received a pass on the top-right side of the box, shooting the ball towards the cross-bar before being snagged by Harris in the center.
UTA: GK Nicole Barnhart, 73’ – Sydney Leroux dribbled to the end-line just seconds after Barnhart subbed in and shot towards the near-post. Barnhart reacted quickly to the near-post, deflecting the shot away from goal.
UTA: GK Nicole Barnhart, 80’ – Camila passed a ball to the center of the box to Orlando teammate Rachel Hill, who heads it towards a waiting Nicole Barnhart on the line.
NOTES
-Prior to the loss, Utah had gone six-games unbeaten at home, and had only given up three goals at Rio Tinto Stadium.
-Gunny Jonsdottir and Desiree Scott have still played every minute of this season, with Rachel Corsie appearing in all 17 matches.
-Amy Rodriguez registered her second goal of the season, and 28th NWSL goal
-GK Nicole Barnhart appeared for her second match this season, making two big saves after subbing in for an injured Abby Smith
-Rachel Corsie registered her first assist of the season in her volley pass to Amy Rodriguez in the 8th minute
Match: Utah Royals FC vs Orlando Pride
Date: July 14, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 8,761
Weather: Cloudy, 85 degrees F
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 1 0 1
Orlando Pride 1 1 2
UTA: Rodriguez, 8’
ORL: Morgan, 47’ (PK)
ORL: Edmonds, 52’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith (Nicole Barnhart, 72’), Katie Bowen, Sydney Miramontez, Rachel Corsie, Becca Moros, Desiree Scott, Gunny Jonsdottir, Lo’eau LaBonta, Diana Matheson (Katrina Gorry, 79’), Amy Rodriguez (Katie Stengel, 63’), Christen Press
Substitutes not used: Taylor Lytle, Erika Tymrak, Alexa Newfield, Brittany Ratcliffe
Orlando Pride (4-3-3): Ashlyn Harris, Shelina Zadorsky, Monica, Ali Krieger, Toni Pressley (Christine Nairn, 87’), Dani Weatherholt, Alanna Kennedy, Chioma Ubogagu (Camila, 79’), Kristen Edmonds, Rachel Hill, Alex Morgan (Sydney Leroux, 62’)
Subs not used: Poliana, Haley Kopmeyer, Carson Pickett, Emily Van Egmond
Stats Summary: UTA / ORL
Shots: 8 / 12
Shots on Goal: 3 / 6
Saves: 3 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 4
Fouls: 6 / 16
Offside: 7/ 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
ORL: Rachel Hill, 24’ (caution)
ORL: Alanna Kennedy, 68’ (caution)
ORL: Chioma Ubogagu, 75’ (caution)
ORL: Camila, 89’ (caution)
OFFICIALS
Center: Reyna Fonseca
First Assistant: Jennifer Garner
Second Official: Alicia Messer
Fourth: Brad Jensen
