Utah Royals FC (0-1-0, 13th NWSL) officially returned to play last weekend in front of a record-breaking home crowd of 20,370 at America First Field. Ultimately the debutants fell to Chicago Red Stars 2-0, but return home this Friday to face League-leaders North Carolina Courage (1-0-0, t-1st NWSL) after a 5-1 rout of Houston Dash on Matchday One. Tickets for Friday night’s 7:30p MT kickoff are available at www.UtahRoyalsFC.com/tickets.
Could NWSL Champion, GK Mandy Haught, make her Royals debut against the Courage? Having served a one-match suspension for receiving a red card in the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham, the shot-stopper could potentially make her first start in Utah after watching from the stands last weekend. Homegrown Utahn Brecken Mozingo and No. 1 overall draft pick Ally Sentnor each made their professional debuts against the Red Stars, Sentnor getting her first start while Mozingo came in off the bench.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH on KMYU with David James & Carla Haslam :: Utah Royals FC vs. North Carolina Courage | America First Field | 9:30 p.m. ET | KMYU (2.2 over air / 12 satellite / 643 Comcast HD)
OR
LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (97.5 FM / 1280 FM) with John Paul Chunga & Lauren Beck starting at 7:00 p.m. MT
Swedish U23 international Agnes Nyberg and Dutch U23 international Dana Foederer also made their NWSL debuts on Saturday, each receiving the midfield start in Head Coach Amy Rodriguez’s first XI of the season. Rodriguez’s side impressed in its inaugural match, despite what the scoreline suggested, achieving a 2.1xG and maintaining 67% possession. The Royals will look to build upon that foundation when facing the Courage.
Following Friday’s home match, Royals FC then travels for its first road match of the season, facing the Washington Spirit on Sunday, March 31 at 11:00a MT at Audi Field, in the Club’s last match prior to the FIFA international window. The Royals and NWSL then resume the League slate on Fri., April 12 against Orlando Pride at America First Field (7:30p MT kickoff; tickets available at www.UtahRoyalsFC.com/tickets).
