SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, May 9, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (1-1-5, 8 points) controlled the match against the Orlando Pride on Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium and despite a late surge, neither team could find the net and Utah settled for a scoreless draw. GK Abby Smith made two saves to earn her third shutout of the season as Royals FC ran its unbeaten streak to four straight matches.
In a first half played mostly in the midfield, Utah outshot Orlando 5-1, but neither team was able to threaten the goalkeeper much. Royals FC also held a possession advantage at nearly 55%, carrying some momentum into the second half.
Like the first half, the second saw URFC control possession and convert it into scoring opportunities. However, only one of the eight second-half shots went on frame and Orlando goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris earned the clean sheet as well.
With the draw, Utah is now in sixth in the NWSL standings, trailing second-place Seattle Reign by just two points.
UP NEXT: After an off weekend, Royals FC returns to Rio Tinto Stadium for the final match in a stretch of four consecutive home games. On May 19, Royals FC will host the Houston Dash in a nationally-televised match on the NWSL Lifetime Game of the Week.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
None.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
UTA: Abby Smith, 49th minute – North Carolina went out on the break with the ball going wide for Crystal Dunn. She tried to place her shot inside the far post, but Abby Smith made the diving save to push the ball wide for a corner.
Match: Utah Royals FC vs. Orlando Pride
Date: May 9, 2018
Venue: Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah
Attendance: 7,137
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 77
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 0 0
Orlando Pride 0 0 0
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith; Brooke Elby, Rachel Corsie, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rebecca Moros; Desiree Scott, Gunny Jónsdóttir; Kelley O’Hara (Erika Tymrak 91+’, Katrina Gorry, Diana Matheson (Brittany Ratcliffe 84’); Amy Rodriguez (Katie Stengel 76’).
Subs not used: Nicole Barnhart, Katie Bowen, Sydney Miramontez, Lo’eau LaBonta.
Orlando Pride: (4-3-3): Ashlyn Harris; Ali Krieger, Shelina Zadorsky, Monica, Carson Pickett; Emily van Egmond (Rachel Hill 70’), Alanna Kennedy, Dani Weatherholt; Sydney Leroux, Marta (Christine Nairn 86’), Chioma Ubogagu (Alex Morgan 53’).
Subs not used: Haley Kopmeyer, Poliana, Kristen Edmonds, Toni Pressley.
Stats Summary: UTA / ORL
Shots: 13 / 5
Shots on Goal: 1 / 2
Saves: 2 / 1
Corner Kicks: 6 / 2
Fouls: 16 / 12
Offside: 1 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
UTA: Katrina Gorry (Caution) 86’
