SANDY, UT (Tuesday, August 21, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (7-7-8, 29 pts., NWSL 6th place) close out a two-game road trip Wednesday at Washington, facing the Spirit (2-15-4, 10 pts., 8th place) in a must-win game as the gold-clad Utah side looks to keep its inaugural season playoff hopes alive. Wednesday’s match begins at 5:30 p.m. MT, with the NWSL digital feed available locally via the KSL 5 TV app and KSL.com.
Utah Royals FC – unbeaten in four of its last five games – continues its inaugural season “Playoff Push” Wednesday night at Washington. HC Laura Harvey’s team needs another road win in order to remain in contention for a postseason berth, as the club chases Chicago, Portland and Orlando, while looking to fend off Houston – in the extremely tight race for the final two playoff spots. Seattle hosts Houston tonight in a game with implications for Utah, while Orlando and Chicago face off on Saturday as scoreboard watching abounds in the final weeks of the year.
Several URFC players will attend to international duty in the coming weeks prior to the club’s home and 2018 season finale on Saturday, Sept. 8, against Chicago in what could be a “win or go home” match. Tickets for that Rio Tinto Stadium match against the Red Stars – on Fan Appreciation Day in Sandy – are now available at www.UtahRoyalsFC.com/Tickets or by calling 844.Real.Tix.
These teams have met twice previously this season, with Utah winning both meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium. Just two weeks ago, on August 8, the Royals FC rearguard kept the Spirit without a shot on goal or even a corner kick in a suffocating defensive performance, one which gave GK Nicole Barnhart her second clean sheet of the season. Barnhart was credited with the win late in the match when FW Katie Stengel provided her second game-winning goal of the week, slamming home a shot from the top of the box to give the home side the win.
Earlier in the year, back on May 5, Utah earned its first-ever club victory with a 2-0 win over Washington. D/F Kelley O’Hara opened the scoring early in the seventh minute with what proved to be the game-winner, while FW Diana Matheson struck midway through the first half as Royals FC cruised to the full three points.
How to Follow Utah Royals FC @ Washington Spirit – Wed., Aug. 22, 2018
- Coverage Begins: 5:30 p.m. MT
- Local TV: N/A
- Local Streaming: KSL 5 TV app, KSL.com
- Local Radio: N/A
- Digital Streaming (outside Utah):www.NWSLsoccer.com
