SANDY, Utah (Saturday, April 27, 2024) - Utah Royals FC (1-4-1, 4 points 13th in NWSL) draw 0-0 against Houston Dash (1-3-2, 5 points 11th in NWSL) in an early evening kickoff at America First Field.
The Utah Royals trotted out a similar starting XI to what they’ve shown thus far in the 2024 season with URFC newcomer Amandine Henry slotting into the midfield. The Royals put the first foot forward with a successful press resulting in captain Paige Monaghan tackling Houston defender winning the ball in the final third and sending a cross to Hannah Betfort who put the shot just wide. The Royals attacked a minute later with another chance headed off target.
Chances came late in the half for both sides as Houston Dash earned their first shot on goal in the 33’ capitalizing on a Mikayla Cluff giveaway in the midfield, bringing the ball down to the final third getting a shot rolling towards the goal line before centerback Lauren Flynn cleared the ball at the goaline into URFC goalkeeper Mandy Haught’s throat back towards the line before Flynn cleared the ball out of danger once again.
After two minutes of added time was announced, Royals midfielder Zoe Burns received a pass back from Ally Sentnor outside of the 18 firing a shot on target off of Jane Campbell’s hands and cross bar for a Utah corner. The set piece was played short to Sentnor who beat one defender but could not get past the last ending the play in a turnover.
The two sides entered the locker room in a stand still with the Royals holding the edge in possession (56/44), shots (7/1) and shots on goal (3/1).
URFC entered the second half making no subs meanwhile Houston made one change in the midfield.
The second half was a more back-and-forth affair with both sides taking corners in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with the back line and goalkeepers making stops.
In the 56th minute, Sentnor received the ball in the Royals half bringing the ball up the field laying the ball to Henry who played a long ball across to Monaghan who could not control the ball missing a goal scoring opportunity. After regrouping, Monaghan fired a shot on goal which was easily collected by the keeper.
Changes came on the Utah bench with Brecken Mozingo coming on for Burns in the 62’ moving Sentnor to the 10 and Mozingo to the wing. Shortly after the change the Royals quickly become the aggressors constantly finding themselves in the final third.
As the Royals knocked on the door the Dash had solutions for the Royals attack, clearing the balls out for corners and clustering the middle of the 18 leaving no angle to shoot.
In the final moments of the game Houston started a counter attack after an unsuccessful Royals attack. After a Utah deflection the ball went out for a Houston throw-in where Royal’s head coach Amy Rodriguez appeared to pick up the ball and toss it away from the touchline earning a straight red for delaying the match in the 90+5 minute.
Moments later the official whistle sounded, finalizing a 0-0 draw and Haught’s first clean sheet with the Royals.
The Royals will remain home next week hosting Angel City FC in the second America First Field doubleheader weekend of the 2024 season. Tickets can be found at https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/tickets/ .
UTA 0 : 0 HOU
GOAL-SCORING SUMMARY:
No Goals
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals (4-2-3-1): Mandy Haught; Olivia Griffitts, Kate Del Fava, Lauren Flynn, Madison Pogarch; Mikayla Cluff, Amandine Henry, Zoe Burns (Brecken Mozingo 62’); Paige Monaghan, Ally Sentnor, Hannah Betfort (Cameron Tucker 84’)
Subs not used: Michele Vasconcelos, Addisyn Merrick, Frankie Tagliaferri, Emily Gray, Carly Nelson, Cristina Roque
Houston Dash (4-4-2): Jane Campbell; Natalie Jacobs (Sophie Hirst 64’), Paige Nielsen, Sarah Puntigam, Sophie Schmidt; Michelle Alozie (Amanda West 46’), Ramona Bachmann (Yuki Nagasato 75’), Elin Rubensson, Andressa Alves (Barbara Olivieri 64’); Avery Patterson, Diana Ordonez
Subs not used: Courtney Petersen, Belle Briede, Heather Hinz, Jyllissa Harris
Stats Summary: UTA / HOU
Possession: 52 / 48
Shots: 11 / 7
Shots on Goal: 7 / 5
Saves: 1 / 4
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 16 / 18
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
UTA: Yellow Card (Paige Monaghan 42’), Red Card (Amy Rodriguez 90’+5’)
HOU: Yellow Card (Andressa Alves 20’), Yellow Card (Ramona Bachmann 54’), Yellow Card (Barbara Oliveri 85’)
