Utah Royals Fall to Orlando Pride in Historic Defeat
Sandy, Utah – The Utah Royals faced a challenging match at America First Field on Friday, succumbing to the Orlando Pride with a score of 3-1, marking a tough stretch for the Royals who remain winless in May. Barbra Banda of Orlando made headlines by scoring all three goals within the first 38 minutes, achieving the fastest hat trick in NWSL history.
The match kicked off with the Royals displaying immediate aggressiveness, creating two early scoring opportunities. However, the tide turned quickly as Banda connected on a precise cross from Ally Watt in the sixth minute to put Orlando ahead. Utah’s struggle when conceding first continued, as they were 0-4 prior to this match.
Resilience shone through as the Royals equalized in the 14th minute. Brecken Mozingo scored her second goal in as many games, finishing a promising play orchestrated by Claudia Zornoza’s excellent assist.
Despite a strong response, Utah couldn’t hold onto the momentum. Orlando’s Banda scored twice more, in the 37th and 38th minutes, leaving the Royals trailing 3-1 at halftime. Utah’s keeper, Mandy McGlynn, showcased remarkable skill, making four crucial saves to keep the team in contention.
The second half saw improved defensive efforts from Utah, successfully neutralizing Orlando’s offensive pushes, yet the Royals struggled to convert their chances into goals. Notable attempts came from Ally Sentnor and Cece Kizer, both thwarted by Orlando’s goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.
Ultimately, the Royals ended the match with a record of 1-2-7 for the season. They will next face Racing Louisville FC on June 6 at Lynn Family Stadium.
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