Second-half header from USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe puts the Seattle side up;
Yellow Card Accumulation Sends DF Sam Johnson to the Bench for Weekend Match-Ups;
Chase for Play-Off Position Continues this Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium Against the Orlando Pride;
SEATTLE, WA (Wednesday, July 11, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (5-5-6, 6th place) suffered a 1-0 loss to Seattle Reign FC at Memorial Stadium, giving up a second-half header goal from USWNT striker Megan Rapinoe. This contest was the first time Utah had visited Seattle on the road, and was their second-consecutive loss in five days.
The game was chippy from the beginning with DF Sam Johnson – replacing an injured Becky Sauerbrunn – receiving her fifth yellow card of the season in the 12th minute. Card accumulation in the 2018 season means that Johnson will be forced to miss the following match on Saturday against the Orlando Pride. FW Diana Matheson was also ineligible to play due to league suspension for physical play.
Both teams ended half-time with a few close chances, but neither had registered a single shot on frame. Yet the tables soon turned in favor of the Seattle side as a corner kick in the 54th minute connected with the back-post header from FW Megan Rapinoe – scoring the only goal of the night.
UP NEXT: Playing their third game in eight days, URFC will now return to Rio Tinto Stadium to play against the Orlando Pride for the third and final time in the regular season. Kickoff is set for Saturday, July 14, at 5:00 p.m. MT, and will feature USWNT star Alex Morgan and Brazilian international Marta.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SEA: FW Megan Rapinoe, 54’ – Rapinoe ran to the far-post on a corner kick, connecting with the ball for a header that found the far-post for the only goal of the match.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS
SEA: MF Jessica Fishlock, 23’ – Utah MF Desiree Scott received the ball outside of the box and fired a right-footed shot towards the goal before being blocked by Fishlock.
UTA: DF Katie Bowen, 30’ – Theresa Nielsen crossed the ball to the feet of a waiting Megan Rapinoe, who took a right-footed shot from the center of the box that was blocked by Bowen.
SEA: DF Steph Catley, 69’ – MF Lo’eau LaBonta passed a short ball to MF Gunny Jonsdottir who took a speedy touch forward and ripped a shot towards the frame before being blocked by Catley inside the box.
SEA: DFSteph Catley, 89’ – A cross from DF Katie Bowen met the right-foot of a running Sam Johnson, but was blocked by Catley.
NOTES
- URFC has two players that have played every single minute this season. Included are MFs Desiree Scott and Gunny Jonsdottir. This was the first game that Scott has worn the captain’s arm band.
- Registering her fifth yellow card of the season, Sam Johnson is now unable to play in Saturday’s match due to league card accumulation rules
- Gunny Jonsdottir continues to lead the league in fouls won, totaling 46
Match: Utah Royals FC vs Seattle Reign FC
Date: July 11, 2018
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Seattle, Washington
Attendance: 3,191
Weather: Clear, 72 degrees F
Scoring Summary:1 2 F
Utah Royals FC 0 0 0
Seattle Reign FC. 0 1 1
SEA: Rapinoe, 54’
Lineups:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Abby Smith, Katie Bowen, Sam Johnson, Rachel Corsie, Becca Moros (Erika Tymrak, 90’), Desiree Scott, Gunny Jonsdottir, Lo’eau LaBonta (Katrina Gorry, 77’), Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press, Katie Stengel (Brittany Ratcliffe, 85’)
Substitutes not used: Nicole Barnhart, Sydney Miramontez, Taylor Lytle, Elise Thorsnes
Seattle Reign FC (4-3-3): Lydia Williams, Steph Catley, Lauren Barnes, Megan Oyster, Theresa Nielsen, Jessica Fishlock, Beverly Yanez (Kristen McNabb, 91’), Allie Long, Megan Rapinoe, Jodie Taylor (Alyssa Kleiner, 87’), Adriana Leon (Jasmyne Spencer, 62’)
Subs not used: Morgan Andrews, Michelle Betos, Nahomi Kawasumi, Christen Westphal
Stats Summary: UTA / SEA
Shots: 10 / 9
Shots on Goal: 1 / 0
Saves: 0 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 2
Fouls: 9 / 8
Offside: 0 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
UTA: Sam Johnson, 12’ (caution)
UTA: Rachel Corsie, 42’ (caution)
SEA: Allie Long, 43’ (caution)
UTA: Gunny Jonsdottir, 66’ (caution)
OFFICIALS
Center: Ekaterina Koroleva
First Assistant: Ryan Jung
Second Official: Adrienne McDonald