May 26, 2024 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release
SANDY, Utah – Utah Royals FC (1-9-1, 4pts, 14th in NWSL) fell 1-0 to Kansas City Current (7-0-4, 25pts, 2nd in NWSL) in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
After a rainy start that delayed the original kickoff time, Kansas City Current visited America First Field for the first time. The 2024 NWSL campaign is the first time the two expansion franchises have co-existed as the first iteration of the Utah Royals relocated to Kansas City in 2020.
Upon the opening whistle the hosts trotted out a new formation debuting a 3-5-2 formation treating the two outside midfielders as fluid positions giving them the ability to drop back and make the back line five personnel wide who can transition in attack giving them numbers with possession. The revamped formation included newcomer Ana Tejada who made her Utah Royals and NWSL debut at the center of the three-man back line.
Tejada made her presence on the match early receiving a yellow card in the third minute making a tackle on Kansas City winger, delaying the Current attack.
The new formation came with growing pains. Multiple giveaways came early for the Royals, the first coming in the 9th minute as Utah goalkeeper Mandy Haught tried to escape Temwa Chawinga with some fancy footwork. Chawinga pressed Haught making a tackle, gaining possession just outside of the six taking one touch inside and firing a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar out for a goal kick.
Just a minute later the Royals were back inside their own defensive third. After battling for the ball Amandine Henry got tripped up poking the ball away from the 18. Whilst regaining her footing the midfielder deflected the ball towards the bottom corner, but the shoot veered just wide.
Utah’s first scoring chance came in the 22′ as rookie Ally Sentnor intercepted a ball, drove forward, and fired a shot that went wide.
Despite the chaos the Royals kept the scoreboard unchanged after two huge saves closing out the first half.
After a distribution giveaway from Haught, Chawinga took one touch beating Tejada. The malawian fired a high shot on frame as Lauren Flynn came flying in putting a head on the ball redirecting it over the end line. The second coming from another Royals’ giveaway to Chawinga who sent Kate Del Fava sliding by forcing Haught to come off her line and make a big time save in a 1v1 situation.
Coming out of the half Utah changed personnel substituting Madison…