HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, May 16, 2024) - Utah Royals FC (1-7-1, 4 pts, 14th NWSL) finishes its three-match road stint against North Carolina Courage (4-5-0, 12 pts, 6th NWSL) on Friday at Wakemed Soccer Park with kickoff slated for 8:00pm ET.
The Royals make their debut on Amazon Prime against North Carolina Courage after suffering a Sunday afternoon 3-1 loss to Chicago Red Stars where Cameron Tucker notched her first competitive professional goal. Receiving a pass from fellow BYU graduate, Michele Vasconcelos, Tucker cut inside, beating one player before unleashing a missile to the upper right corner of the Chicago goal from 25+ yards out. The goal scored in the 81st minute brought new life to the Royals, but the squad was ultimately unable to utilize the momentum, conceding a third goal in stoppage time, 90+7’.
This is the second time that head coach Amy Rodriguez’s side will play an opponent they have faced before this season, the first being the Red Stars whom the Royals opened the season against. In the first meeting between the two sides, Utah triumphed behind Ally Sentnor’s incredible first professional goal and a header from Kate Del Fava, despite North Carolina recording a 2.3 xG. The Royals have quietly been improving while simultaneously playing their collective brand of soccer dictated by Rodriguez and her staff, maintaining possession and picking their moments to attack.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH LIVE on AMAZON PRIME :: Utah Royals FC vs. North Carolina Courage | Wakemed Soccer Park | 6:00 p.m. MT |
OR
LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) starting at 5:00 p.m. MT
The Courage currently sit in 6th in the NWSL standings, having suffered five losses this season, but recording no draws. North Carolina enters this match on the heels of a three-match road trip which saw them score one goal and concede six enroute to three straight losses. Returning home, they will look to leverage their friendly crowd to pull themselves out of the downward spiral.
Following Friday’s match in North Carolina, the Royals will return to America First Field on May 25 to take on Kansas City Current at 8:00 p.m. MT (tickets are available at https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/tickets/single).
