Photo by Jeff Wong
Sandy, U.T- Last night at Rio Trinto Stadium, 8,504 spectators witnessed the first time that the Utah Royals hosted the Seattle Reign, which ended in a scoreless draw. Christen Press who was involved in a three-team trade also made her first appearance for the Royal’s.
Utah was eager to set the bar and within the first minute midfielder Diana Matheson made her mark. After working the passing with nearby teammates, Matheson shot the ball towards goal, but it hit the crossbar and was saved by Seattle goalie Michelle Betos.
Matheson continued to put pressure on the Reign and set the ball nicely for Press. As she controlled the ball down the field, she took a powerful shot above the eighteen, but was once again saved by Betos, who was on top of everything that came her way.
Reign forward Jodie Taylor had a shot that gave Royal goalkeeper Abby Smith some action in the 35th minute, but was successfully saved. By the end of the first half, Betos recorded three saves. Utah took eight shots, but had a lower possession rate of 46 percent.
While the second half resumed with a scoreless match, Royal defender Becky Sauerbrunn was solid with her backline as she recorded five clearances. While Sauerbrunn was clearing the ball to keep off the Reign’s attack, Seattle defender Megan Oyster was also putting in work and intercepted the ball six times.
Both teams scrapped for every opportunity possible in the final minutes. The play in the 86th minute looked hopeful for the Reign as forward Beverly Yanez passed the ball to Jasmyne Spencer, who went in for the header, but it rebounded to Megan Rapinoe.
For making her first debut with Utah, Press impressed the dedicated Royal fans as she had seven shots with four on goal.
“It was a lot of fun to play in this environment, I’m really excited about this season, future seasons and building a relationship with this fan base,” Press said. “I think there were enough opportunities in the game for us that we could’ve won and that’s a good start.”
The Royals stand in sixth place and will remain at home for the next match against Sky Blue FC on Saturday, June 30. The match will be live streamed on the go90 app at 10:00 p.m. ET.
SCORING SUMMARY:
NONE
BOOKING SUMMARY:
SEA-Steph Catley, yellow card, 59’
UTAH ROYALS FC: #1-Abby Smith, #3-Becca Moros, #2-Rachel Corsie, #4-Becky Sauerbrunn, #6-Katie Bowen, #19-Katrina Gorry, #23-Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir, #11-Desiree Scott, #10-Diana Matheson (#24-Katie Stengel, 68’), #8-Amy Rodriguez (#15-Erika Tymrak, 77’), #21-Christen Press
Subs not used: #18-Nicole Barnhart, #16-Samantha Johnson, #9-Lo’eau Labonta, #25-Brittany Ratcliffe, #20-Elise Thorsnes
SEATTLE REIGN FC: #18-Michelle Betos, #8-Theresa Nielsen, #4-Megan Oyster, #19-Kristen McNabb, #7-Steph Catley, #6-Allie Long, #20-Rumi Utsugi, #12-Morgan Andrews (#24-Alyssa Kleiner, 46’),#15-Megan Rapinoe, #14-Jodie Taylor (#22-Jasmyne Spencer, 84’), #9-Nahomi Kawasumi (#17-Beverly Yanez, 71’)
Subs not used: #1-Lydia Williams, #19-Adriana Leon, #26-Madeline Bauer, #21-Christen Westphal,
TOTAL SHOTS: UTA 18-7 SEA
SHOTS ON GOAL: UTA 6-3 SEA
FOULS: UTA 5-9 SEA
OFFSIDES: UTA 1-2 SEA
CORNER KICKS: UTA 4-0 SEA
SAVES: UTA 3-6 SEA
Utah Royals
