Utah Royals FC vs. Seattle Reign FC
August 11, 2018; Rio Tinto Stadium
1:30 p.m. MT; Lifetime, ESPN700 AM
UTA (7-6-7, 28 points); SEA (9-6-6, 33 points)
Player to Watch:
FW Jodie Taylor. The English Forward has been a stud for the Seattle side. Entering Saturday, she’s tied with Megan Rapinoe for most goals on the team (7) & has one assist.
Matchup to Watch:
FW Megan Rapinoe vs. DF Becky Sauerbrunn. The USWNT teammates are back at it again, this time for a head-to-head duel at Rio Tinto Stadium. Rapinoe has seven goals this season – one the difference maker against Utah on July 11. DF Becky Sauerbrunn has been a brick wall for URFC in 2018, but did not play due to injury the last time the teams dueled it out.
All-Time Record:
Utah Royals FC have yet to beat Seattle Reign FC, but the match ups have been close, dramatic affairs. The first time the two teams met was in June, resulting in a scoreless draw at Rio Tinto Stadium. The second time ended in a 1-0 victory for the Reign at Memorial Park, after Rapinoe converted on a corner kick header in the 54th minute.
Last 5 Overall:
Seattle is 3-1-1 in their last five matches, bagging crucial wins against the Washington Spirit and Utah that propelled them to the second-place spot. A 1-0 loss to Chicago though on July 14, does show that the team is susceptible to late game goals.
