Utah Royals (Photo by Mercedes Carbrera).
Sandy, U.T- The Utah Royals hosted their first season home opener last Saturday against the Chicago Red Stars in front of 19,203 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The Royals dominated the first half and within the first ten minutes they had a good shot on goal. Utah defender Kelley O’Hara crossed the ball from the right side of the field to the left side of the goal post, but the Royals couldn’t finish.
While pressure continued on Chicago’s side of the field, in the 27th minute Red Star midfielder Danielle Colaprico came to the top of the box when Royals’ defender Rachel Corsie headed the ball out for clearance. However, instead of clearing, the ball went straight to Colaprico who took the shot to score the lead for the Red Stars, making it 1-0 in the first half.
“The environment was unbelievable,” Utah captain Becky said after the game. “Kudos to Utah for showing up and supporting us. It was something special today. I feel like I was part of something special. It’s disappointing that we didn’t get the win to kind of add to the wonderful day. But to play in front of a crowd like that. … This is why we play soccer. It was wonderful.”
Colaprico’s goal left the crowd in silence and left the Royals scrambling to come back during the second half.
In the 56th minute, Utah had the opportunity to score when Diana Matheson and Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir played a give and go pass, but the shot was blocked by Chicago keeper Alyssa Naeher.
The rebound fell to the feet of Brooke Elby, but nothing came of it.
In the 78th minute, forward Amy Rodriguez came on the pitch for the first time since she tore her ACL last April. She had previously missed the 2016 season due to giving birth to her son meaning within the last two years she had only played in one match.
“It was quite the adrenaline rush,” Rodriguez said on Lifetime to Dalen Cuff after the game. “I’m so excited to put on the cleats again, put on the jersey. It just feels great to be out there again.”
The Red Stars took three points from this win and currently stand in second place.
The Utah Royals stand in seventh place and will travel to North Carolina to take on the NC Courage next Saturday for the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime.
SCORING SUMMARY:
CHI- Danielle Colaprico, 27’
BOOKING SUMMARY: NONE
UTAH ROYALS FC: #9-Lo’eau Labonta (#15-Erika Tymrak,62’), #20-Elise Thorsnes, #10-Diana Matheson (#8-Amy Rodriguez, 77’), #6-Katie Bowen, #23-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, #11-Desiree Scott, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #2-Rachel Corsie, #13-Brooke Elby, #1-Abby Smith, #5-Kelley O’Hara (#17-Sydney Miramontez, 46’)
Subs not used: #18-Nicole Barnhart, #12-Taylor Lytle, #25-Brittany Ratcliffe, #24-Katie Stengel
CHICAGO RED STARS: #1-Alyssa Naeher, #3-Arin Gilliland, #16-Samantha Johnson, #5-Kathleen Naughton, #7-Taylor Comeau, #2-Nikki Stanton, #15-Michele Vasconcelos, #24-Danielle Colaprico, #11-Sofia Huerta, #4-Alyssa Mautz (#19-Summer Green, 80’), #12-Yuki Nagasato (#9-Stephanie McCaffrey, 90 + 1’)
Subs not used: #21-Emily Boyd, #14-Sarah Gordon, #13-Lauren Kaskie, #25-Erin Yenney
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 13-10 CHI
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 1-2 CHI
FOULS: UTA 10-6 CHI
OFFSIDES: UTA 6-1 CHI
CORNER KICKS: UTA 2-4 CHI
SAVES: UTA 0-1 CHI
Utah Royals
