SANDY, Utah – (Friday, June 21, 2019) – Utah Royals FC (5-2-2, 17 points) earned a road draw after holding Portland Thorns FC in a 0-0 draw in front of a crowd of 15,581 on Friday night at Providence Park. It was the first time Portland had been shutout at home since the 2016 season.
GK Nicole Barnhart made three saves to preserve the shutout and DF Sam Johnson contributed to several crucial stops to earn a point on the road.
Portland opened the match with an early opportunity, but Barnhart made the eighth-minute save to prevent Thorns FC from taking the advantage. Utah was outshot 18-7 on the night, but had four shots on goal to just three for Portland. In the second half, FW Mallory Weber nearly found the net against her former club, putting three shots on goal in the 63rd, 75th and 76th minutes only to have her efforts saved by Britt Eckerstrom.
In earning the draw, Royals FC moved to 1-1-2 on the road this season.
UP NEXT: URFC will return home to Rio Tinto Stadium to take on Reign FC for the first time this season on Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m. MT.
NOTES:
- Utah played without MF Desiree Scott (CAN), DF Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), FW Christen Press (USA) and DF/FW Kelley O’Hara (USA) due to international duty as they continue on to the Round of 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Royals FC were also withoutDF Katie Bowen (NZL) and DF RachelCorsie (SCO) who recently wrapped up their time in France. MF Diana Matheson also missed the match due to injury.
- Royals FC went without MF Vero Boquete for the first time this season after she suffered an injury to her right ankle in last Saturday’s match against Sky Blue FC.
- DF Sydney Miramontez started the match at rightback, her first of the season. Miramontez missed the first part of the season as a result of an injury to her foot.
- URFC earned its sixth shutout of the season, the most of any team in the league.
- FW Raisa Strom-Okimoto made her professional and Royals FC debut, coming on as a substitute for FW Mallory Weber in stoppage time of the second half.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs. Portland Thorns FC
Date: June 21, 2019
Venue: Providence Park; Portland, OR
Attendance: 15,581
Weather: Overcast and 65 degrees
Scoring Summary:12FT
Utah Royals FC000
Portland Thorns FC000
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-5-1): Nicole Barnhart ©; Sydney Miramontez, Gaby Vincent, Sam Johnson, Becca Moros; Mandy Laddish (Katie Stengel 71’), Lo’eau LaBonta, Gunny Jonsdottir, Mallory Weber (Raisa Strom-Okimoto 90+3’), Erika Tymrak (Makenzy Doniak 83’); Amy Rodriguez
Subs not used: Abby Smith, Alexa Newfield, Meghan Cox, Michelle Maemone
Portland Thorns FC (4-5-1): Britt Eckerstrom; Katherine Reynolds, Elizabeth Ball, Kelli Hubly (Madison Pogarch 77’), Meghan Klingenberg ©; Gabby Seiler, Midge Purce, Celeste Boureille, Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Ana Maria Crnogorcevic (Marissa Everett 84’); Simone Charley (Tyler Lussi 65’)
Subs not used: Bella Bixby, Katy Byrne, Emily Ogle
Stats Summary: UTA / POR
Shots: 7/18
Shots on Goal: 4/3
Saves: 3/4
Corner Kicks: 3/3
Fouls: 6/9
Offside: 1/1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
POR: Celeste Boureille 30’ (caution)
UTA: Lo’eau LaBonta 57’ (caution)
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Assistant Referees: Seth Martin, Melissa Gonzalez
4th Official: Jason Perlewitz
