SANDY, Utah (Sunday, August 2, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (10-5-3, 33 points, 3rd NWSL) dominated the Portland Thorns (8-4-6, 28 points, 6th NWSL) on Sunday night’s 5-1 win at America First Field in front of an electric home crowd. The win marks the first time Utah has secured ten wins in a season since 2019.
Utah Royals Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets made one positional and two personnel chances to the lineup following Wednesday’s 0-1 loss at home to the Washington Spirit. Making their return to the starting XI is Japanese-international Miyabi, and Royals captain Paige Cronin, marking her first start since Utah’s 2-1 victory over Racing Louisville on May 17th. NWSL veteran Cece Delzer will play alongside Mina Tanaka as twin 10s.
Portland came out aggressive in the attack, finding the net in the first minute, when Portland’s Sophia Wilson made a break up the left side field with URFC defenders trailing. Wilson’s goal is the quickest in the NWSL this season, notched at just 35 seconds.
In the 18th minute, Royals’ ironwoman Kate Del Fava made a key block, preventing the Thorns from doubling the lead.
In the 31st minute, Delzer took a shot on goal that was blocked just before the first half hydration break, but gave the defender the confidence to level the score. Returning from the break, URFC utilized the conviction when Miyabi won the ball, finding Tanaka, who passed up to defender Kiana Palacios in the middle. Palacios then found Delzer, who placed the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed shot, giving the Royals its equalizer in the 35th minute. The goal marks Delzer’s third for the 2026 campaign, all coming after the international break, having notched three goals in the last six matches.
The Royals and Thorns went back and forth for the remaining minutes of the first half, with Mandy McGlynn making a full-stretch save in the 41st minute, punching the ball away after an attempt from Wilson. The Royals won a corner in the 44th minute when Kaleigh Riehl almost found the net, but was blocked by the Portland keeper. Both Palacios and Cronin had opportunities on goal that didn't convert in stoppage.
The Royal returned from halftime anxious to pull ahead and they quickly executed, when in the 47th minute attacker Cloé Lacasse delivered a cross to Delzer who was making a run, the midfielder burying the chance in the back of the net, securing a brace and giving the Royals a 2-1 lead over the Thorns. Delzer’s second goal of the night marked the first brace of her NWSL career, and Lacasse’s 11th goal contribution this season, breaking the single season record for the Royals.
Lacasse quickly had an opportunity to break her own record when in the 68th minute the attacker won the ball, crossing to Brecken Mozingo, who had made a run up the right side, finding space. Mozingo slotted the ball home, giving the Royals a 3-1 lead. The goal was Mozingo's first of the 2026 season, and came just minutes after being subbed on for Cronin. The goal also upped Lacasse’s goal contributions, setting a new Club record with 18.
In the 78th minute, Palacios placed a shot on goal that was punched away by the Portland keeper. The ball then found Miyabi, who passed to Mozingo, before the forward sent the ball back to Miyabi. The Japanese-internal crossed to Palacios, who tapped the ball into the net with a flick of her heel from behind, the unexpected and creative finish giving Utah its fourth goal of the night in front of an energetic home crowd. Portland made an effort to find the net, after winning a free kick in the 80th minute, however McGlynn caught the attempt with ease, maintaining the Royals lead.
After being awarded a corner in the 88th minute, Lacasse sent a shot to Del Fava, who headed the ball into the net, solidifying URFC’s win and breaking the Club record for most goals ever scored in a single match. The goal also gave Lacasse a Utah club record with 7 assists, the Canadian-international becoming the 8th player in NWSL history with three assists in a regular season match. The Royals have now scored 31 goals during the 2026 campaign, its most in a single NWSL season, with six of the goals coming from corners, leading the league with the converted set pieces. The win awarded Utah a much-earned three points at home as they continue to climb the NWSL table.
The Royals now head to Denver to take on the Summit on Saturday, August 8th at Centennial Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. MT, before returning home to host Bay FC on Friday, August 14th at America First Field.
UTA 5 : 1 POR
POR: Sophia Wilson 1’: Following a breakaway, Wilson found the net with a left-footed shot on goal. The goal is the fastest in the NWSL this season, notched at just 34 seconds.
UTA: Cece Delzer (Kiana Palacios) 35’: Returning from a hydration break, Miyabi won the ball, finding Tanaka, who passed up to defender Kiana Palacios in the middle. Palacios found Delzer, who placed the ball into the back of the net with a right-footed shot, giving the Royals its equalizer in the 35th minute.
UTA: Cece Delzer (Cloé Lacasse) 47’: Attacker Cloé Lacasse delivered a cross to Delzer who was making a run, the midfielder burying the chance in the back of the net, securing a brace and giving the Royals a 2-1 lead over the Thorns.
UTA: Brecken Mozingo (Cloé Lacasse) 68’: Lacasse won the ball in the 68th minute before crossing to Mozingo, who had made a run up the right side, finding space. Mozingo slotted the ball home, giving the Royals a 3-1 lead. The goal was Mozingo's first of the 2026 season, and came just minutes after being subbed on for Cronin.
UTA: Kiana Palacios (Miyabi) 78’: Miyabi passed to Mozingo, before the forward returned the ball back to Miyabi. The Japanese-internal crossed to Palacios, who tapped the ball into the net with a flick of her heel from behind, the unexpected and creative finish giving Utah its fourth goal of the night in front of an energetic home crowd.
UTA: Kate Del Fava (Cloé Lacasse) After being awarded a corner in the 88th minute, Lacasse sent a shot to Del Fava, who headed the ball into the net, solidifying URFC’s win and breaking the Club record for most goals ever scored in a game. The Royals have scored 31 goals this season, their most in a single NWSL season, with six of the goals coming from corners, leading the league in converted set pieces.
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn; Miyabi, Kate Del Fava, Kaleigh Riehl (Tatumn Milazzo, 64’), Nuria Rábano; Narumi, Cece Delzer (Lara Prašnikar, 74’), Mina Tanaka (Ana Tejada, 64’), Paige Cronin © (Brecken Mozingo, 64’), Cloé Lacasse, Kiana Palacios (Courtney Brown, 84’)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Kameron Simmonds, Madison Hammond, Alexa Spaanstra
Head Coach: Jimmy Coenraets
Portland Thorns (4-2-3-1): Mackenzie Arnold; Reyna Reyes, Marie Mũller (M.A. Vignola, 58’), Carolyn Calzada, Sam Hiatt © (Isa Obaze, 69’); Jessie Fleming, Nina Nijstad (Cassandra Elle Bogere, 69’), Olivia Moultrie; Pietra Tordin (Maddie Padelski, 82’), Renee Lyles (Morgan Weaver, 68’), Sophia Wilson
Subs not used: Deyna Castellanos, Shae Harvey, Mallie McKenzie, Morgan Messner
Head Coach: Robert Vilahamn
Stats Summary: UTA / POR
Possession: 57% / 43%
Shots: 13 / 11
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 10 / 5
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
Photo Assets — Please Credit Utah Royals FC
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!
