Storylines | Royals Prepare For Home Finale Against Seattle With History On The Line

By: Javier Mico-Crump

Just six days after its 2-0 home loss to the Kansas City Current, the Utah Royals will have another chance to clinch an NWSL playoff berth this Friday, October 23, when they host Seattle Reign FC at America First Field. With only three points separating the two sides, and playoff hopes hanging in the balance for both, Friday’s match is set to be a decisive battle on the Wasatch Front. 

This edition of storylines looks into the Royals’ history against Seattle, and analyzes Utah’s playoff chances before its last home game of the 2026 season.

Royals vs Reign: A Brief History

The Royals and the Reign have met six times since Utah joined the NWSL in 2024, with the sides sharing an incredibly even record in the matchup’s brief two-year history. Despite having a greater scoring output across the six encounters (Royals have scored 10, Reign have scored 9), Utah trails Seattle slightly all-time, having won two games, lost three, and tied one since July 7, 2024. In the two games played at America First Field the sides are dead even, with each club earning a win and both squads level on goal differential (both scored four and conceded four). 

The last time the two Western sides met was in April of this year, when Utah tied its largest-ever victory over Seattle with an emphatic 3-0 win at Lumen Field. On that Sunday night, captain Paige Cronin scored the fastest goal in Royals history, finding the back of the net after just 50 seconds to open the scoring in the Pacific Northwest. Now with 100 NWSL starts under her belt, Cronin has continued to play a critical role as a leader both on and off the field for Utah. By halftime, the Royals were already up by three, propelled by goals from Narumi (her first as a Royal) and Canadian international Cloé Lacasse.

The undisputed leader of Utah’s front line in the absence of Mina Tanaka (out with a hamstring injury), Lacasse will look to replicate her prior success against Seattle in Friday’s crucial encounter. The Canadian has a dominant record against the Reign, scoring four goals in three career games against the Washington side including a hat trick in 2024. Only three players have scored more goals against a single opponent since Lacasse made her NWSL debut in August of 2024: Esther González vs. Utah (6), Debinha vs. Bay FC (5) and Temwa Chawinga vs. Chicago (5). 

If recent trends are any indicator, the Royals will look to bounce back from last Saturday’s loss with a major performance against the Reign. Utah hasn’t dropped back-to-back games since early July, and the Royals have responded to each of its last six losses with a win in their next match, most recently triumphing 2-1 over the North Carolina Courage after falling 3-0 to Angel City FC. A win on Friday would be Utah’s seventh straight following a loss, a feat that only three other teams have achieved: Washington Spirit in 2024–25, Houston Dash in 2018 and North Carolina Courage in 2017–18.

History On The Line As Royals Host Final Home Game of 2026

Considering the Royals could clinch a playoff spot for the first time in its history on Friday, the game against Seattle might be the most important matchup in the Club’s two-year existence. Utah currently sits in 6th place of the NWSL table with 46 points, three points above Seattle who holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the standings. A win would be enough to send Utah to the postseason, but it is also possible that the Royals could clinch with a draw this weekend, depending on other results around the league. 

Just one point behind the Kansas City Current in fourth place, the Royals are also playing for a chance to host a playoff game for the first time. With just two games remaining in the regular season, every point is crucial, and Utah will be closing out its season against two teams desperate for wins. Seattle is fighting for its playoff life, just one point clear of the North Carolina Courage who are looking to steal the Reign’s spot in the playoffs. Then, on November 1, the Royals will play at Gotham FC in a Decision Day battle, with the New Jersey/New York side hopeful to claim its first NWSL Shield title. 

With two games left, the stakes could not be higher for the Royals in its search to make history. It all starts this Friday, October 23, with kickoff against Seattle Reign FC set for 7:30 p.m. MT on from America First Field. Tickets to the match are available for purchase here.