Upside Down They Turn You
Utah Royals FC enters the match undefeated against North Carolina Courage with a 1-0-3 (6 points) all-time record. Most recently, the two teams drew in a 1-1 match that saw FW Amy Rodriguez find the back of the net for Utah in mid-May. The play was sparked by a series of one-touch passes, beginning with DF Katie Bowen, making its way through the midfield until it ultimately ended in the back of the net. North Carolina’s goal was scored by forward Elizabeth Eddy who was later traded to Sky Blue FC in exchange for forward McKenzie Meehan. Saturday’s match will be only the second played between the two squads at Rio Tinto Stadium. The last match at home resulted in 0-0 draw.
Because It’s Their Turn
Ahead of Saturday’s match, Utah Royals FC have made three changes to its roster. DF Gaby Vincent has been promoted to a full contract after spending the first half of the year as part of the supplemental contract, while FW Raisa Strom-Okimoto and GK Melissa Lowder were added to the 2019 supplemental roster. This year Vincent has made seven appearances at right back for Royals FC, contributing to three clean sheets while Strom-Okimoto has played in two matches. Lowder has not yet made an appearance for Utah Royals FC.
We Will Survive
In the last match for Utah Royals FC, the team played to a dramatic 2-2 draw against Portland Thorns FC. In the match FW Christen Press scored her second goal of the season following a next-level nutmeg, earning her the National Women’s Soccer League Goal of the Week honor. In the final moments of the match, DF Rachel Corsie evened the score for Royals FC with an assist from DF Kelley O’Hara. The goal marked the fourth professional goal for Corsie and her first with Utah. Meanwhile, the assist for O’Hara was her first with Utah, but far from her first professionally as she ranks in the top ten all-time within the league for assists.
We Want The World To Know
Last Friday DF Kelley O’Hara made her return to the starting lineup for Head Coach Laura Harvey, her first since winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and her first of the season. After undergoing surgery during the offseason O’Hara spent the start of the season on the bench only making two appearances for Utah Royals FC. Similarly, last year O’Hara only made seven starts in eight appearances due to injuries. In her first start of the season O’Hara recorded the game-winning assist for URFC.
Ease On Down The Road
Last Friday MF Vero Boquete made her return to the pitch after missing the past three matches due to injury. The midfielder suffered an ankle sprain in June against Sky Blue FC and was sidelined for the proceeding weeks. Despite playing only 12 minutes against the Thorns, her presence was felt strongly as the team had five chances on goal in those minutes. In 2019 Boquete has had two assists in nine appearances for Utah Royals FC.
