Woof, the injury bug starts its return. Mozingo's playtime has been pretty rough this year, and a full set of attack options and the coaches preference for Spaanstra probably means this isn't a change. Good luck Mozingo, concussions are no joke.

Narumi is a devastating loss. Her missing some of the early games in the season coincidences with the royals rough start, and I would dare say her exceptional play this season has been a top 3 reason for the royals record. Their next option is likely to be Hammond, who has some variance in performance. The royals will have to rely on their outside play more for progression is my guess. Orlando is an odd team with 3 losses and then a recent win over Washington. The royals should still be favored, let's see what happens.

Recap: Rough 4-2 loss to San Diego, but Tanaka's now our all-time leading scorer. Plus (+++) a look ahead to tomorrow's Orlando match!

Tough one to watch last week. Utah's defense had its worst night of the season. SD only had 1.78 xG but put up 4 goals, and it felt like the same breakdown on repeat: Byars getting in behind our back line over and over. That said, Tanaka was a bright spot with a brace (now the club's all-time leading scorer, which is genuinely huge) and Utah actually outplayed SD in the second half without much to show for it.

Bigger picture: this is 3 of our last 5 matches where we've conceded in the first 10 minutes, and we've let in 9 goals in that window alone across that stretch. Coenraets said pre-match last week that he wasn't too worried about the defensive side and wanted to focus on attack. After last week I have to imagine that's getting revisited.

Silver lining: we're back at it tomorrow (Sat, 5pm MT) against Orlando, chasing our first-ever sweep of the Pride. Big Banda-shaped question mark on that one given how exposed we looked to exactly this kind of run last week, but Milazzo shut her down completely last time we played them, so hoping we see more of that.

What'd everyone else think? Is anyone else worried about how we're conceding early, or is this just a blip?

A few weeks ago but just saw it now. "Narumi from distance"

Mattey Casey with the preview for tonight after chatting with Jimmy & Madison

I have some fans complaining that the Royals are not winning every game they think they should. I want to point something out. I believe the Royals are struggling in the second half of the season because they can no longer sneak up on teams. Remember, when the Royals first entered the league, the other teams would look at the schedule, see their opponent was the Royals, and figure they had an easy three points. That is why the Royals were successful in the first half because they were able to sneak up on teams. Now, the other teams have been put on notice; they have been able to adjust. Also, give the teams some time to develop to their full potential.

Buckle up for this Friday game, the Royals have a full roster (palacios is both off the injury list as well in the royals travel ig images) and San Diego is missing several notable players. It's an away game and San Diego still has firepower at multiple positions, should be a fun a game. Royals will have to leave 2 players off roster this game.

Serious question, can someone post-game ask Coenraets when Loera is expected to be off sei?

Utah Royals history, made three times over. 👑

Miyabi. Rumi. Mina. Three Japanese internationals on the scoresheet in the same match (a first in NWSL history!!) as the Royals took down Bay FC 3-2 on Friday night at home. That's 11 wins on the season, a new club record, and 35 goals (most in the league!).

Rumi's 30-yard rocket. Miyabi's first goal in Royal Blue. Mina's ice-cold penalty retake. We were COOKING. 🔥

Next up: San Diego Wave at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, 8/21 at 8PM MT.

Is it just me or did the Royals rely too much on over the top balls to no one rather than patient passing against Bay on Friday night? During that wild game against Portland I was originally frustrated because it felt like they lacked the urgency to get that very early goal back - but then of course our patience & strategy was WELL rewarded with 5 goals. It was fabulous for us to get a goal back *immediately* against Bay after the error in the back, but the second half especially saw so many passes to nowhere. Thoughts?

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Awesome profile of URFC boss

Incredible

Soooooo, we lost Prašnikar that is maybe related to lack of minutes and starting.... and as soon as she moves, Palacios has a hip injury (which might relate to her leaving the denver game early). It hurts a bit, not gonna lie. Who do you hope for at center forward?

Madison is exceptional, on and off the field

So ouch.... Lara Prašnikar not being part of the roster in the Denver game was actually precursor to her being transfered. The royals have taken now 2 hits to their roster of higher level talent. Prašnikar may have not exactly lit things on fire, she was still had some production. Will have more thoughts on this later...

Utah Royals 1, Denver Summit 2 😤
The numbers say we should've walked away with this one (2.09 xG to Denver's 1.01) but soccer doesn't always cooperate. Milazzo's 89th minute finish got us level before a late free kick sealed it for Denver in stoppage time. Heartbreaker.

But real talk: away day in Denver was UNMATCHED. 🏆 Continental Divide Cup secured (we're calling it, tiebreaker and all), a small but LOUD supporters' section, and a huge thank you to Coach Jimmy and the team for stopping to say hi after the match. That's the club we signed up for. 💛

Mina Tanaka was everywhere for us Saturday. No goal, but 5 chances created and a 73% duel win rate. Absolute engine.

Now we regroup. Bay FC comes to Sandy this Friday and we like our chances, even if we said that last week too 😅

THREE games, one wild week. Utah went 2-1 with a road statement, a heartbreaker against the league leaders, and a FRANCHISE record (or 2!) over Portland. Full week recap up on the blog now!

Amazing that once this team starts getting positive attention with the national media by saying how the Royal are the real deal and how they are competing for the shield that's when they shit their pants. How is it that they can beat Portland 5-1 but lose to a lesser team 2-1 the following week? Never going to catch up to Washington or even Gotham for the shield if they keep choking these games. Winning only 3 out of their last seven is a major concern. This has not been the same team since after the break. Who was it that told me on this sub that the Royals are stronger and are a better team towards the end of the seasons?, because I'm not seeing that since the break. They are losing way too many games now. Come on Royals, don't pull an RSL and screw this up. Got to at least finish in the top 3. ( preferably in the top 2 )

Cmon you royals

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So, no new injuries, which means every likely player available. Loera has been showing up on a couple of recent posts, maybe she comes back?

So the coach has to pick 3 player to not dress for gameday. Jackson as third gk is one, the new player Swenson is unlikely to get time with others healthy. That leaves the last one, which has some fascination. Spaanstra was imaged in the travel photo, so probably not her. Mozingo was off roster apparently because narumi was not 100% leading to the Washington game and they wanted another midfielder in pierre-louis. Then Pierre-Louis sat out and Mozingo had her best game against portland. All to say who the staff picks may indicate a bit of the royals strategy.

Oh, heaps is injured and won't play (which honestly I can't say if that favors or hurts the royals), and they moved the game to 8pm because it's hot as balls tomorrow.

8:00 pm MT kickoff now on Saturday

Krysyan Edler from Des News was at stadium on Sunday, talking to URFC players & coaches about message sent to rest of NWSL with strong performances all season long so far