All You Need to Know: Utah Royals FC @ Sky Blue FC

Here we go. Three games left for Utah Royals FC, and three very important ones for the team to stay in contention for the playoffs. The Royals begin their two-game road trip in the east coast with a stop in New Jersey against Sky Blue FC, a team they have defeated twice already and look to record another win against the league’s winless team in the final matchup between the two teams.

A must-win

There’s no doubt about it. Every game here on and out is a must-win for the Royals. After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Seattle Reign FC last week, there’s no room for failure anymore. The Royals face a Sky Blue FC team that has yet to win a game this season. Sky Blue holds a 0-14-4 record with 4 pts. But even though Sky Blue’s season is over, they are playing for pride and can definitely ruin the Royals’ playoff hopes. That’s why they play the game, after all.

Laura Harvey is certainly not taking this road trip lightly:

“Sky Blue and Washington away, big fields, humidity, all of that. It’s going difficult but we’ve got to take care of business.”

Utah and Sky Blue have already met twice this season, with the Royals taking all six points. This is the second trip to New Jersey, the last resulted in a 2-1 win on June 2nd. Four weeks later, when the teams met at Rio Tinto Stadium, Utah recorded a major 3-1 win. Christen Press scored her first goal in a Utah Royals uniform, and Katie Stengel recorded a brace, on her way to becoming the team’s leading goalscorer.

The Royals have won three out of their last four games and look to stay in the race for a playoff spot along with Chicago Red Stars, Portland Thorns FC, Orlando Pride, and Houston Dash.

How to watch

Time: 4:30 PM Mountain

Where: Yurcak Field; Piscataway, NJ

Local TV: N/A

Local Streaming: KSL 5 TV app, KSL.com

Local Radio: N/A

Digital Streaming (outside Utah): www.NWSLsoccer.com

Roster notes

OUT: Alex Arlitt (left knee strain – SEI), Makenzy Doniak (left knee ACL tear – SEI), Mandy Laddish (right hip contusion – SEI)

QUESTIONABLE: Kelley O’Hara (right hamstring strain)