The NWSL is coming off a two-week international break and the Royals will face the Courage in North Carolina on Saturday, June 16th, for the second time this season. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the match:
1. The Utah Royals last match was at Sky Blue FC on June 2nd, where they picked up their first-ever road win at 2-1 thanks to a goal from Diana Matheson, who now leads the Royals with 2 goals and 1 assist, and an own goal by Mandy Freeman.
The win put the Royals in 6th place at 3-5-2 and 14 points, with one loss in their last seven matches. Utah has scored 4 goals, conceded 6, and been shutout twice on the road this season, giving them a road record of 1-1-3. Saturday’s match will be the Royals’ 3rd of 4 consecutive on the road.
2. The Royals’ last visit to North Carolina played to a 2-2 draw, with goals from Katie Stengel and Brittany Ratcliffe. Tied with Seattle for fewest goals conceded at 8, Utah continues their impressive inaugural season and look for their second road win against a team that has yet to lose this season. The Royals were missing a few players against Sky Blue due to national team duties but all have returned to help the squad against the best team in the NWSL.
3. North Carolina has already clinched an NWSL playoff spot, sitting in first place at 9-3-0 with 30 points. The Courage wrapped up their four-match road trip on June 3rd with a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash, the draw also ended North Carolina’s 4-match win streak. In 6 home matches, the Courage are 4-0-2, have scored just 7 of their 24 goals and conceded 3 of 11 on the season. Jessica McDonald and Crystal Dunn lead the Courage with 4 goals and 3 assists each.
Our coverage of Utah Royals at North Carolina Courage begins on Saturday, June 16th at 5 P.M. with Greg Wrubell and Carla Swensen-Haslam.
