May 4, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals Press Release
SANDY, Utah – Utah Royals FC (1-5-1, 4 points, 14th NWSL) suffered its fifth loss of the season with a 2-1 loss at home to Angel City (3-3-1) in the club’s first NWSL campaign. I gave in. , 10 points, 7th NWSL) will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at America First Field Stadium.
In a game that URFC dominated for the most part, the team struggled to gain the upper hand when it mattered and paid the ultimate price as a result.
Both teams started the game much better, with the Royals featuring quick passing, slick movement and a particularly high press that Angel City found difficult to contain. Despite the Royals’ early dominance and monopoly of the game, the team struggled to create clear chances to go ahead and were punished midway through the first half with an Angel City goal that disrupted the proceedings. The Angels capitalized on a midfield turnover, sending the ball down the left to striker Alyssa Thompson, who then delivered a sublime lofted cross into the area where Sydney Leroux headed in to build the visitors’ lead.
Things got worse for URFC in the first half and the team’s first-half goalscoring problems were further compounded in the 40th minute when full-back Olivia Griffitts was adjudged to have brought down her opponent in the box. Claire Emslie stepped up to take the penalty for Angel City and the forward made no mistake sending Mandy Haught the wrong way before firing a powerful effort low into the bottom right corner to double the visitors’ lead and strengthen their grip on the contest.
The second half assumed much the same game state as the first, with the Royals completely outclassing and outplaying their opponents in almost every area, while Angel City seemed content to sit mostly and attack the hosts on counterattacks. URFC came out in the second half with renewed vigor and determination and were belatedly recognized for their positive start to the game with a fine consolation goal. In a well-worked move, Paige Monaghan drove down the field and fed a pass to Ally Sentnor, who then cut inside and drilled a low ball across the area to Dana Foederer, who placed a strike into the bottom right corner and beyond . A touch from Dijana Haračić allowed him to pull one back for the hosts and put them at equal distance.
The game took a whirlwind late in the game as the Royals pushed for an equalizer but had trouble breaking through a resolute Angel City defense for the second time in the game, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat.
The loss brings the Utah Royals’ season record to 1-5-1 in early 2024. The Royals’ next game is on the road against the San Diego Wave on Wednesday, May 8 at Snapdragon Stadium. Kickoff is at 8 PM MT and can be streamed on CBS Sports. The Royals return to America First Field on May 25 against the Kansas City Current at 8 PM MT. Tickets can be found at https://www.rsl.com/utahroyals/tickets/.
UTA 1: 2
Goal scoring summary:
LA: Sydney Leroux (Alyssa Thompson) 29′: Angel City took advantage of a Royals turnover in midfield to send the ball across the box for Alyssa Thompson’s tap-in header. .
LA: Claire Emslie (P) 40′: Low, powerful ball diverted from point to point buried by Royals goalkeeper Mandy Hort as she dives to her left.
UTA: Dana Foederer (Ally Sentnor) 52′: Established in her own half Paige Monaghan receives the ball, drives into the middle, lays the ball down the left and Ally Sentnor cuts inside and plays the ball across the box once more. Dana Foederer put a shot in the bottom right corner that went out of Dijana Haračić’s reach.
Lineup:
Utah Royals FC (4-2-3-1): Mandy Hort; Olivia Griffitt, Kate Del Faba, Lauren Flynn, Madison Pogazzi; Mikayla Clough, Amandine Henry, Dana Fodorer; Paige Monaghan (Brecken Mozingo, 61), Allie Sentner, Hannah Befort (Cameron Tucker, 84)
Subs not used: Michelle Vasconcelos, Joe Burns, Addisin Merrick, Frankie Tagliaferri, Emily Gray, Agnes Nyberg, Christina Roque.
Angel City FC (3-4-3): Dijana Haracic; Madison Curry (Merritt Mathias, 74), Megan Reid, Sarah Gordon; Jasmyne Spencer, Madison Hammond (Lily Nabet, 64), Rocky Rodríguez, Kennedy Fuller (Clarisse Le Bihan, 87); Claire Emsley, Sydney Leroux (Katie Johnson, 74), Alyssa Thompson (Giselle Thompson, 86)
Subs: Ali Riley, Angelina Anderson, Messiah Bright, Elizabeth Eddy
Statistical Summary: UTA / LA
Retention: 52/48
Shot: 13/5
Goal percentage: 8/4
Save: 0 / 4
Corner kicks: 9/2
Fouls: 21/14
Summary of offenses:
UTA: Olivia Griffiths (yellow card, 38′), Lauren Flynn (yellow card 90’+1′)
LA: Rocky Rodriguez (yellow card, 45′), Bench (yellow card, 67′), Alyssa Thompson (yellow card, 87′), Kennedy Fuller (yellow card, 87′) Lily Navet (yellow card, 90’+3′).
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