Utah Royals FC Falls 0-1 to Seattle in Heated Duel

SANDY (Saturday, August 11, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (7-7-7, 28 points) fell 0-1 to Seattle Reign FC at Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday afternoon, conceding an early second-half set-piece goal. The loss leaves URFC on the outside looking in with regards to the 2018 NWSL playoff picture, with three games remaining as part of a five-team race for the final two postseason berths.
Utah - which returns home on Sat., Sept. 8 for the club’s regular-season finale in what could be a “win or go home” contest - pressured the Reign rearguard repeatedly late in the loss to Seattle, as FWs Christen Press and Katie Stengel registered good looks on frame but were unable to provide the equalizer.
UP NEXT: URFC will now head to Piscataway, New Jersey next weekend to play Sky Blue FC at Yurcak field on Saturday. This matchup will be the third and final time Utah sees New Jersey this year, the game being played five days before a Wed., August 22 match at Washington Spirit. Utah looks for the full six points on the two-game trip, with SBFC & Washington a combined 2-27-8 so far this season entering this weekend’s slate.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SEA: Jessica Fishlock 48’ -- After a Seattle corner flew over the middle to the far side, Seattle DF Megan Oyster collected the loose ball and sent back into the middle. MF Jessica Fishlock made the jump in the air to meet the ball and sent it in just past Abby Smith.

KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
UTA: Abby Smith, 11’ – A left-footed shot from Megan Rapinoe from the far side of the box is saved by GK Abby Smith in the corner.
UTA: Abby Smith, 17’ – A left-footed shot from Rapinoe from the center of the box is snagged by Smith.
SEA: Lydia Williams, 43’ – FW Christen Press dribbled to the top of the box and fired a shot to the far post corner that was pounced on by GK Williams.
UTA: Abby Smith, 53’ – Jess Fishlock right-footed shots from forty yards out is caught by GK Abby Smith in the bottom right corner.
NOTES:
- Utah remains second in the league in attendance, averaging more than 9,000 fans per game at Rio Tinto Stadium
- Utah had their 19th different lineup in 21 games this season, with only MF Gunny Jonsdottir playing all 1890 minutes of the season. DF Rachel Corsie has appeared in all 21 games
Match: Utah Royals FC vs Seattle Reign FC
Date: August 11, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 8,740
Weather: 91 degrees and Hazy

SEA: Jessica Fishlock (Megan Oyster), 48’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith; Katie Bowen, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rachel Corsie, Rebecca Moros; Lo’eau LaBonta, Gunny Jonsdottir, Katrina-Lee Gorry (Desiree Scott, 55’); Taylor Lytle (Amy Rodriguez, 62’), Christen Press, Diana Matheson (Katie Stengel, 70’);
Subs not used: Samantha Johnson, Erika Tymrak, Sidney Miramontez, Nicole Barnhart
Seattle Reign FC (4-3-3): Lydia Williams; Theresa Nielsen, Lauren Barnes, Megan Oyster, Christen Westphal; Allie Long, Jessica Fishlock, Morgan Andrews (Kristen McNabb, 74’); Jodie Taylor (Alyssa Kleiner, 88’), Megan Rapinoe, Jasmyne Spencer (Adriana Leon, 80’);
Subs not used: Michelle Betos, Nahomi Kawasumi, Jaycie Johnson
Stats Summary: UTA/SEA
Shots: 6 / 10
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Saves: 5 / 2
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 7 / 10
Offside: 1 / 3
DISCIPLINE:
SEA: Jessica Fishlock 74’
UTA: Rebecca Moros 90’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Eric Tattersall
Assistant Referees: Adrienne McDonald, Cory Richardson
4th Official: Brad Jensen