CENTENNIAL, Colorado (Saturday, August 8, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (10-6-3, 33 points, 3rd NWSL) lost in dramatic fashion against Denver Summit FC (6-7-5, 23 points, 9th NWSL) on Saturday night, falling 2-1 to its hosts at Centennial Field.
Royals’ Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets made one positional and one personnel change to the lineup following last Sunday’s historic 5-1 win at home over Portland Thorns FC —the biggest win in Club history. Ana Tejada returned to the starting XI in place of Paige Cronin, a change that reverted the lineup back to a more traditional double-pivot for the Royals, while Cece Delzer moved back to the right wing following her first NWSL brace against Portland.
Coming out motivated after the big win, the Royals put pressure on the Summit defense early and almost forced a costly error just five minutes in. Off a goal kick, Narumi intercepted a pass from Denver goalkeeper Abby Smith, taking an open shot near the penalty spot that missed just wide of the right post. Utah maintained the attacking intensity throughout the half, recording a total of 10 shots despite being unable to find a breakthrough goal.
Utah was also forced to be attentive on defense, facing five corners and six shots from Denver in the first 45. Just days after winning the NWSL Save of the Week, Mandy McGlynn was up to the challenge, tallying a total of three saves including a diving parry to the near post in the 26th minute.
It took the home side little time to get the opener in the second half, scoring a go-ahead goal in the 51st minute. Receiving the ball on her left flank, Summit left back Janine Sonis lofted a cross into the box that found an open Yazmeen Ryan. Unmarked, Ryan took a touch and finished with a right-footed volley for the 1-0 lead.
Looking for new energy to aid in the search for an equalizer, Coenraets subbed on Brecken Mozingo for Cece Delzer in the 68th minute. As she stepped onto the field, the Sandy native earned her 50th NWSL appearance, all with the Royals, since the Club drafted her from BYU in 2024.
With the clock winding down, the Royals made one final push to claim its first away point in Denver. In the 89th minute, Mozingo received a ball from McGlynn on the left flank and lobbed a hail-mary cross into the box. After a deflection, Tatumn Milazzo received the ball at the back post with an impressive outside of the boot touch before blasting the ball into the roof of the net. The goal was Milazzo’s 4th of the season, an impressive number from the veteran Royal defender.
After a chaotic back and forth, the game took its final turn in the 94th minute. With a freekick at the top of the box, Denver had one final chance to steal a win in front of its home fans. Captain Janine Sonis stepped up for the Summit, converting with a curling shot into the left side-netting at the death. With no time left to respond, Denver held on to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory, its first since July 18.
Looking to return to winning ways in front of its fans, the Royals are back home next Friday, August 14 to take on Bay FC at America First Field.
DEN 2 : 1 UTA
DEN: Yazmeen Ryan (Janine Sonis) 51’: Janine Sonis received the ball on the left side of the field, surveying before lofting a cross into the box. Yazmeen Ryan beat her marker at the back post, leaving her open to receive and finish the ball with a volley into the bottom left corner.
UTA: Tatumn Milazzo 89’: Mozingo received the ball on the left flank and lobbed a cross into the box. After an attempted clearance by a Summit defender, the ball found Milazzo at the back post, who took a touch and fired a shot that beat the keeper to the near post.
DEN: Janine Sonis 90+4’: After a foul at the top of the box by Nuria Rábano, Janine Sonis converted a free kick with a right-footed shot that hit the left post before entering the net.
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn; Miyabi, Kate Del Fava ⓒ, Kaleigh Riehl (Tatumn Milazzo, 68’), Nuria Rábano; Narumi, Ana Tejada (Madison Hammond, 77’), Mina Tanaka; Cece Delzer (Brecken Mozingo, 68’), Kiana Palacios (Paige Cronin, 52’), Cloé Lacasse
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Kameron Simmonds, Dayana Pierre-Louis, Courtney Brown, Alexa Spaanstra, Paige Cronin
Head Coach: Jimmy Coenraets
Denver Summit (4-3-3): Abby Smith; Ayo Oke (Yuzuki Yamamoto, 90+2’), Eva Gaetino, Kaleigh Kurtz, Janine Sonis ⓒ; Delanie Sheehan, Devin Lynch (Emma Regan, 90+2’), Yuna McCormack (Tash Flint, 66’); Yazmeen Ryan, Ally Brazier (Olivia Thomas, 90+2’), Natalie Means
Subs not used: Kat Asman, Meg Reid, Gemma Bonner, Carson Pickett, Melissa Kössler,
Head Coach: Nick Cushing
Stats Summary: DEN / UTA
Possession: 47% / 53%
Shots: 12 / 18
Shots on Goal: 6 / 3
Corner Kicks: 8 / 6
Fouls: 9 / 11
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
DEN: Abby Smith (Yellow Card - 75’)
URFC Next Home Match: 8/14 @ America First Field
URFC takes on Bay FC at home. Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field!
