Sandy, U.T- To kick off Week 7 of the NWSL, the Utah Royals hosted the Orlando Pride. The home team celebrated a 2-0 win and Orlando went home with their seventh consecutive loss.
Forward Amy Rodriguez proved again what an asset she is for the Royals, scoring the first goal of the match, that marked her fourth consecutive goal in a match. Her goal came after a foul was initiated by Pride midfielder Bridget Callahan on Vero in the box during the 29’ minute. Rodriguez took the penalty kick and sent a powerful ball to the back of Orlando’s net.
Rodriguez made another attempt on goal from a deflected ball, taking a shot mid-air that went just above the crossbar. While Pride goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer was relieved, the second half was just beginning.
Both teams were missing key players due to call ups from the U.S. Women’s National Team. The Royals were without Christen Press, defenders Becky Sauerbrunn, and Kelly O’Hara. For Orlando, Kopmeyer was in the back of the net for Ashlyn Harris and the Pride were also missing defender Ali Krieger and forward Alex Morgan.
Determined to finish strong, the Royals did just that before the final whistle blew. Midfielder Makenzy Doniak went on a run with the Pride defense coming up behind her. As Kopmeyer stepped off the line, Doniak’s ball slid through her legs to extend Utah’s lead 2-0.
This goal was a personal breakthrough for Doniak as she missed the last season recovering from an ACL injury. It was her first goal in the NWSL since 2016.
The Pride’s record now stands at a 0-6-1, earning just one point off a draw they sit in ninth place. While Orlando had a 67 percent success rate with their passing, their finishing touches along with clearance of shots are areas to work on for improvement.
The Royals gained three points, with the added satisfaction of a clean game, from the match. Next for the Royals, the Washington Spirit on Saturday, June 1 in Maryland.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UTA-Amy Rodriguez, 31’ (PK)
UTA-Makenzy Doniak, 89’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
ORL-Chioma Ubogagu, 29’ yellow card
ORL-Dani Weatherholt, 64’ yellow card
ORL-Bridget Callahan, 69’ yellow card
UTAH ROYALS: #1-Nicole Barnhart, #3-Rebecca Moros, #16-Samantha Johnson, #14-Gaby Vincent, #6-Katie Bowen, #7-Mandy Laddish (#20-Mallory Weber, 67’), #9-Lo’eau Labonta, #66-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, #21-Veronica Boquete Giadans (#15-Erika Tymrak, 39’), #24-Katie Stengel (#13-Makenzy Doniak, 79’), #8-Amy Rodriguez,
Subs not used: #46-Meghan Cox, #19-Michelle Maemone, #1-Abby Smith, #42-Raisa Strom-Okimoto
ORLANDO PRIDE: #28-Haley Kopmeyer, #16-Carson Pickett, #3-Toni Pressley, #27-Morgan Reid, #19-Erin Greening, #6-Chioma Ubogagu, #22-Bridget Callahan, #17-Dani Weatherholt, #23-Marisa Viggiano (#26-Caitlin Farrell, 84’), #15-Rachel Hill, #20-Abby Elinsky (#8-Danica Evans, 75’)
Subs not used: #18-Lainey Burdett, #12-Kristen Edmonds, #29-Alika Keene, #32-Hana Kerner, #31-Taylor Porter
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 16-12 ORL
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 4-3 ORL
FOULS: UTA 8-7 ORL
OFFSIDES: UTA 1-0 ORL
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Utah Royals
Orlando Pride
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