The Utah Royals FC hit the ground running against the Orlando Pride in Florida last Saturday, March 24, leaving with a 1-1 draw. MF Gunny Jonsdottir —who bagged the NWSL’s goal of the week —connected with FW Diana Matheson's stellar cross at top of the sixth yard box & pushed it past USWNT GK Ashlyn Harris for the first goal in club history. A controversial hand ball by DF Becky Sauerbrunn led toOrlando’s MF Marta finding an equalizer on a penalty kick later in the first half. However, URFC’s stellar performance didn't go unnoticed around the league. Was it enough to place them at the top of the league's power rankings?
Here's what the "experts" had to say:
“In Utah Royals FC’s first-ever NWSL game, Laura Harvey’s team settled for a 1-1 result against last year’s top offensive team, the Orlando Pride. Gunnhildur Jónsdóttirgets the praise for scoring the historic first goal, which came in just the 3rd minute of play. Diana Matheson served a dangerous ball in behind to Jónsdóttir, who was able to get a right-footed shot off, sliding through it in style.”
Click the picture below to see the entire ranking and be sure to watch URFC in Houston on KMYU or the KSL TV app this Friday!
