Match Preview | Royals Strive to Break Alternating Win-Loss Streak This Weekend and Find First Away Win Against Racing Louisville

HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, October 2, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (14-3-9, 45 pts) head to Lynn Family Stadium to take on Racing Louisville FC (7-2-17, 23 pts) on Saturday, October 2nd, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. MT in what will be the Club’s 27th matchup of the 2026 season. Utah will be carrying with it momentum from last weekend’s 2-1 victory over North Carolina Courage, utilizing team chemistry and dominant attitude as it continues the fight at the top of the NWSL table, the club only five points away from the playoff line. 

Last Sunday, URFC emerged victorious over North Carolina, finding the net quickly after Canadian international Cloé Lacasse received the ball from Miyabi before taking a header, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. The goal broke Lacasse’s own record for the Club’s most single-season goal contributions with 10 assists and 8 goals. The Courage responded in the 37th minute, when current 2026 NWSL Golden Boot leader Ashley Sanchez converted a penalty that equalized the score. In the 65th minute, Japanese international Mina Tanaka sent the ball up to NWSL veteran Cece Delzer, who rocketed a right-footed shot into the net, scoring the game-winning goal for the Royals. The goal was Delzer’s 25th career goal, crowning her as the 40th player in the NWSL history to hit the mark. The win also gave Utah’s its eighth home victory, a new Club record, and was Head Coach Jimmy Coenraet's 25th win with Utah.

With the home victory at its backs, the Royals now head to Louisville to face off against Racing for the second time this season. The previous matchup, on Sunday May 17th, resulted in the Royals earning a 2-1 victory over the club, at the time, extending the Royals’ unbeaten streak to eight straight matches. The two goals could be attributed to an own goal by Louisville, along with a 77th minute shot from Tanaka, securing the Royals a win in front of a home crowd. The home team has had the edge in all five past meetings between the two teams, including the May victory at America First Field. Each of the previous four matchups between Utah and Louisville have been decided by one-goal margins, with the exception of a Racing 5-1 home win in April 2024 in the first-ever matchup between the two clubs. 

Louisville enters the matchup with a 7-2-17 league record with 23 pts, sitting at 15th in the overall NWSL standings. Louisville has been unable to find a win in their last six matches for the first time in club history, conceding multiple goals in all six losses, most recently falling 2-0 to San Diego Wave on Friday, September 25th. The last time Racing was able to notch a 2-1 win over Seattle on August 19th. Despite their unfortunate run of form, the club could still pose a potential threat over the Royals, with their propensity for emerging victorious over URFC when on home turf. 

Utah has alternated wins and losses in its last 11 matches, having notched seven wins and suffered seven losses since returning from international break in July. Following its recent 2-1 win over North Carolina, the Royals will be looking to break both its intermittent run and secure its first-ever win on Louisville ground this Saturday, simultaneously bringing home three points to Utah fans. 

BROADCAST INFORMATION

WATCH LIVE on ION with JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden :: Utah Royals FC vs Racing Louisville FC | Lynn Family Stadium | 2:00 p.m. MT

OR

LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) starting at 1:30 p.m. MT

After facing off against Louisville, the Royals will return home to host Kansas City Current at America First Field on Saturday, October 17th with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. MT. The match will honor Breast Cancer Awareness along with URFC Captain Paige Cronin’s Pink Scrunchie Club with a Mammogram Van. The game will also feature a one-of-a-kind “Gameday for the Girls” experience in partnership with Sportsish. Tickets for the match are available to purchase here.