Utah Royals drop more points in 2-1 loss versus Chicago

Utah Royals FC played their second to last match away to Chicago Red Stars. Heading into this match, Utah knew it was crucial to secure three points if they wanted any hope of making the playoffs.

Laura Harvey started the same lineup used in the 2-1 loss versus the Reign, keeping Gunny Jonsdottir in place of Katie Bowen.

Right out the gate in this one, Sam Kerr got a good luck at goal but headed it over the cross bar. A few minutes later, Chicago earned a dangerous corner that they were unable to capitalize on. Chicago came out the better team in this one offensively, as it would take until the 27th minute for Utah to even find a shot. Though, URFC keeper Nicole Barnhart made multiple crucial saves early in this one.

Chicago would score first in this one, as Vanessa DiBernardo sent in a shot from the top of box to put Chicago up 1-0 in the 40th minute. Just two minutes later though, Utah would answer. Christen Press found her first goal in about a month thanks to a header goal assisted by Jonsdottir.

Right before the half, Amy Rodriguez thought she may have found the goal to put Utah ahead, but it wasn’t allowed due to a foul before the play. This one headed to halftime 1-1.

Utah came out in the second half better than the first. Stengel nearly had a good look. but the ball went out of bounds around the 50th minute. Then in the 60th minute, Rodriguez sent a shot right at Alyssa Naeher.

In the 65th minute, Chicago made the first sub of the game to bring on Katlyn Johnson for Savannah McCaskill.

In the 67th minute, Stengel looked to have capitalized to put Utah up, but the ball was cleared off the line.

Chicago made another sub in the 76th minute to bring on Nikki Stanton for DiBernardo. Following this sub, things slowed down a lot for Utah. They had gotten quite a few good looks but drastically slowed down around the 80th minute.

Chicago found a goal in the 85th minute after Barnhart saved the initial ball, but Jonsdottir lost her man, and Yuki Nagasato capitalized on the spilled ball to put the Red Stars up 2-1.

Chicago made their final sub of the night in the 87th to bring on Katie Naughton for Morgan Brian.

Nagasato’s goal would be the difference maker tonight as Chicago takes all 3 points.

Utah plays their next and final match of the 2019 season on October 12th at home versus the Houston Dash.