Sandy, Utah (Sunday, September 27, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (14-9-3, 45 points, 4th NWSL) earned an important 2-1 win in the NWSL playoff race Sunday night, besting North Carolina Courage (12-11-3, 39 points, 9th NWSL) in front of 5572 fans at America First Field.
Royals Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets made three personnel changes to the starting XI following the 3-0 home loss to Angel City last Sunday. With Ana Tejada and Paige Cronin suspended due to red cards, Miyabi and Madison Hammond returned to the starting lineup, with Hammond making her 100th NWSL appearance. On the front line, Mexican international Kiana Palacios replaced newcomer Jameese Joseph after she earned her first home start against Angel City.
The hosts got on the board first in Utah, opening the scoring in the 17th minute with a decisive header from Canadian international Cloé Lacasse. After winning the ball in North Carolina’s half, the Royals played the ball out wide to Miyabi, who took a touch before lofting in a pinpoint cross to Lacasse who finished at the penalty spot. The goal extended Lacasse’s single-season Royals goal contributions record, which is now up to 18 (10 assists, 8 goals) in 2026.
The Courage fought back in the 37th minute, winning a penalty as a darting Gianna Paul was fouled at the edge of the box by Nuria Rábano. The NWSL’s leading scorer, Ashley Sanchez, stepped up, finishing with a right-footed strike into the left side-netting for her 20th goal of the season – tied with Temwa Chawinga (2024) for an NWSL single-season record. The penalty conversion was North Carolina’s sixth of the year, tied for most in the league with Utah and Portland.
Neither side was able to separate themselves in the first, and the encounter entered halftime tied at 1-1.
After a few back-and-forth opening moments of the second half, Sanchez came close to scoring her second in the 59th minute, forcing a crucial diving save by Mandy McGlynn after curling a right-footed shot to the far post.
The Royals responded soon after, capitalizing on a rapid counter-attack in the 65th minute. Narumi headed the ball into an open Mina Tanaka, who took her time before setting up Cece Delzer with an impressive pass that pierced North Carolina’s defense. All that was left for Delzer to do was beat the goalkeeper, which she did with a right-footed shot to give Utah a 2-1 lead. The goal was Delzer’s 5th of the season, and in addition, she became the 40th player in NWSL history to record 25 career goals with the strike on Sunday.
After a closely-contested final half-hour, the Royals held on to earn a vital win against its East Coast opponent, reclaiming fourth place in the NWSL standings and maintaining its position to host a playoff game in November. The win was Utah’s eighth home victory of the season, a new Club record, in addition to being Coenraets’ 25th win as head coach.
The Utah Royals will look to break out of its alternating win-loss streak next week, travelling to face Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday, October 3, with the match available to stream on ION.
URFC Next Home Match: 10/17 @ America First Field
URFC takes on North Carolina Courage at home! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
UTA 2 : 1 NC
UTA: Cloé Lacasse (Miyabi) 17’: Miyabi received the ball near the right sideline and took a touch before lofting a cross into the box. Making a well-timed run from her native left flank, Lacasse met the ball at the penalty spot and finished with a header to the far post.
NC: Ashley Sanchez (Unassisted) 37’: Paul made a run down the right sideline, beating Rábano for pace and earning a penalty at the edge of the box. Sachez stepped up and converted from the spot with a right-footed strike to the bottom-left corner
UTA: Cece Delzer (Mina Tanaka) 65’: With a header, Miyabi flicked the ball onto Tanaka who took her space near the center of the field. The Japanese international split North Carolina’s defense with a perfect pass, setting Delzer up one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Delzer finished with a right-footed strike that went through Kailen Sheridan’s legs.
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn; Miyabi, Kate Del Fava ©, Kaleigh Riehl, Nuria Rabano; Madison Hammond (Dayana Pierre-Louis, 85’), Narumi, Mina Tanaka; Cece Delzer (Alexa Spaanstra, 90+1’), Kiana Palacios (Jameese Joseph, 61’), Cloe Lacasse (Brecken Mozingo, 78’)
Subs not used: Tatumn Milazzo, Kameron Simmonds, Courtney Brown, Mia Justus, Ali Swensen
Head Coach: Jimmy Coenraets
North Carolina Courage (4-2-3-1): Kailen Sheridan ©; Ryan Williams, Uno Shiragaki, Natalia Staude (Chinoma Okafor, 88’), Feli Rauch (Dani Weatherholt, 85’); Riley Jackson (Vilde Boe Risa, 61’), Shinomi Koyama; Gianna Paul (Bia Gomes, 75’), Erica Meg Parkinson (Carly Wickenheiser, 75’), Ashley Sanchez; Evelyn Ijeh (Hannah Betfort, 85’)
Subs not used: Madi White, Cameron Brooks, Ivy Younce
Head Coach: Mak Lind
Stats Summary: UTA / NC
Possession: 49% / 51%
Shots: 7 / 11
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Corner Kicks: 2 / 4
Fouls: 13 / 13
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
UTA: Cloé Lacasse (Yellow Card - 45’)
UTA: Kate Del Fava (Yellow Card - 45+3’)
UTA: Narumi (Yellow Card - 68’)
UTA: Narumi (Yellow Card - 87’)
NC: Bia Gomez (Yellow Card - 90+1’)
Photo Assets — Please Credit Utah Royals FC
