Photo by Mercedes Cabrera.
Sandy, U.T- For the first time the Utah Royals hosted the Orlando Pride, with poor results. The Royals were hopeful as they celebrated an early goal in the 8th minute, but by the end of the half the Pride had made their comeback.
The night started out strong for both sides, but the Royals were able to get an early goal as defender Rachel Corsie pushed the ball above and past Pride defender Shelina Zadorsky to set up forward Amy Rodriguez. Before the ball hit the ground, Rodriguez shot with her left foot to give Utah a 1-0 lead.
During the 44th minute, defender Ali Krieger took the corner kick for the Pride and in her attempt to find the ball, midfielder Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir wrapped both arms around Kennedy, which resulted in a penalty kick for Orlando.
While Utah players voiced their dissent to the referee and Royal fans booed in disappointment, all while Utah goalkeeper Abby Smith stood in front of Pride forward Alex Morgan in hopes to intimidate and throw off Morgan’s shot.
Morgan didn’t fall into the trap of the mental challenges that Smith planned with the left footed shot reaching the back of the net silently putting Utah in their place as Morgan scored the equalizer.
When the second half resumed, the tension had fired up the Royals and forward Christen Press worked with Rodriguez to create space in the box.
In the 52nd minute, Krieger sent the ball up to Kristen Edmonds, who was one-on-one with Smith as she was out of her box and Edmonds shot above Smith, taking Orlando’s lead to 2-1.
In the 72nd minute, the Royals goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart came in for Smith as she was involved in a collision with Pride attackers Corsie and Kennedy.
The Pride continued to pry out whatever opportunities they could throughout the match. Their numerous attempts failed and resulted in four yellow cards issued to Orlando as they recorded a total of 16 fouls.
The Royals weren’t able to see any shots on goal in the second half. Although Utah had a higher percentage rate of possession, Orlando was able to finish their shots which allowed them to gain the victory and a better chance at seeing the NWSL playoffs.
The Utah Royal’s will host another match at home against the North Carolina Courage before heading on the road for Week 18’s match.
SCORING SUMMARY:
UTA-Amy Rodriguez, 8’
Assisted by Rachel Corsie
ORL-Alex Morgan, 45 + 2’ (penalty)
ORL-Kristen Edmonds, 52’
Assisted by Ali Krieger
BOOKING SUMMARY:
ORL-Rachel Hill, yellow card, 24’
ORL-Alanna Kennedy, yellow card, 68’
ORL-Chioma Ubogagu, yellow card, 75’
ORL-Camila, yellow card, 89’
UTAH ROYALS FC: #1-Abby Smith (#18-Nicole Barnhart, 72’), #2-Rachel Corsie, #3-Rebecca Moros, #17-Sydney Miramontez, #6-Katie Bowen, #9-Lo’eau Labonta, #11-Desiree Scott, #21-Christen Press, #23-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir, #10-Diana Matheson, (#19-Katrina Gorry, 79’), #8-Amy Rodriguez, (#24-Katie Stengel, 63’)
Subs not used: #12-Taylor Lytle, #88-Alexa Newfield, #25-Brittany Ratcliffe, #15-Eryka Tymrak
ORLANDO PRIDE: #24-Ashlyn Harris, #4-Shelina Zadorsky, #21-Monica Hickmann Alves, #11-Ali Krieger, #3-Toni Pressley (#7-Christine Nairn, 87’), #17-Dani Weatherholt, #14-Alanna Kennedy, #6-Chioma Ubogagu (#9-Camila Martins Pereira, 79’), #12-Kristen Edmonds, #15-Rachel Hill, #13-Alex Morgan (#2-Sydney Leroux, 62’)
Subs not used: #19-Poliana Barbosa Medeiros, #28-Haley Kopmeyer, #16-Carson Pickett, #5-Emily Van Egmond
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 8-12 ORL
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 3-6 ORL
FOULS: UTA 6-16 ORL
OFFSIDES: UTA 7-4 ORL
CORNER KICKS: UTA 1-4 ORL
Utah Royals
