HERRIMAN, Utah (Wednesday, November 4, 2026) – Having clinched playoffs for the first time in Club history, Utah Royals FC (14-5-11, 47 pts) now head to Snapdragon Stadium to battle against San Diego Wave (18-4-8, 58 pts) on Friday, November 6th, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT. The Royals enter the quarterfinal round of the 2026 NWSL Playoffs presented by Google Pixel prepared to take on the Wave for a chance at advancing to the next round.
Utah recently returned from New Jersey, where the club went head-to-head with league-leading Gotham FC last Sunday in a Decision Day battle in its last match of the regular season, the game ending in a 2-0 loss to the club. The rivals opened the scoring early, with a 9th minute goal from Guro Reiten. Gotham found the net again in the second half, with an 80th minute touch from Jaedyn Shaw that secured the club a victory, and the 2026 NWSL Shield.
Now, heading into its first post-season match, the Royals will take on the San Diego Wave for the third time this year. The first meeting of the two teams during the 2026 campaign resulted in a 1-2 loss to the Wave on March 22nd in the Royals’ season home-opener at America First Field. The lone goal was courtesy of former-Royal Lara Prašnikar, who found the net in the 66th minute, becoming the first Slovenian player to score a goal in the NWSL. The clubs met again on August 21st to go head-to-head at Snapdragon Stadium, culminating in a 4-2 defeat. Despite the loss, the high-scoring match saw a brace from Japanese-international Mina Tanaka who netted the opening goal in the 29th minute, with an assist from Canadian midfielder Cloé Lacasse, and a second goal in the 47th. While the Royals came back from multiple deficits, they ultimately fell to San Diego on the road.
The Wave enters the postseason with a 18-4-8 league record and 58 pts, sitting at 2nd in the overall league standings. The club ended its 2026 campaign with a 7-game unbeaten streak, most recently finding a 1-0 win against Bay FC on November 1st. Trinity Byers won the regular season Golden Boot race for the Wave, with 11 goals in 24 appearances. Founded in 2021, and led by Head Coach Jonas Eidevall, San Diego will be searching for its first championship in club history.
Having never drawn a point against San Diego, the Royals will be seeking its first-ever win over the club and an opportunity to punch its ticket to the next round. Utah has seen a historic season having set club records in points, goals scored, and making history with its first-ever postseason playoff berth. Having defied low preseason expectations, the Royals have put together a remarkable 2026 campaign with a tight-knit and hardworking team. Utilizing the qualities from its Club slogan Better Together, Utah will enter this battle relying on the depth of its players and team chemistry in an effort to make history once again.
Join fans at America First Field for the Utah Royals at San Diego Wave Watch Party on Friday, November 6th (kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. MT.) Free tickets for the watch party are available here.
.BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH LIVE on PRIME with Mike Watts and Jill Loyden :: Utah Royals FC vs San Diego Wave | Snapdragon Stadium | 8:00 p.m. MT
OR
LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) starting at 7:30 p.m. MT
