HERRIMAN, Utah (Friday, September 25, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (13-3-9, 42 pts) remain at home to host North Carolina Courage (12-3-10, 39 pts) on matchday 26 of the 2026 campaign. The match will take place at America First Field on Sunday, September 27th with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. MT. URFC is coming off of a recent 3-0 loss to Angel City FC, dropping the club to the fifth spot on the NWSL table. As the playoff push continues, the Royals will be looking to find a victory over the Courage, proving Utah has what it takes to remain strong contenders during the 2026 campaign.
Last Sunday against Angel City, the Royals were unable to find a win at home when in the 11th minute club captain Paige Cronin received a red card following a VAR check. Not long after, Spanish defender Ana Tejada received a controversial red card in the 24th minute, forcing Utah down to nine for the remainder of the match. Former Royal Ally Sentnor converted the resulting penalty kick for Angel City to give the visitors the lead. In the second half, Angel City capitalized on the absence of two players and were able to notch two more goals in the 47th and 67th minutes. URFC goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made an impressive seven saves during the match, preventing more damage from being done. Despite the deficit in both players and the score, the Royals never once faltered, continuing to fight until the final whistle blew. The match also saw the home debut for newly acquired Jameese Joseph, who also made her first start for her new club.
Now, the Royals turn its attention to another home match, this time facing off against the North Carolina Courage. The matchup will be the second between the two clubs during the 2026 campaign, the first meeting on July 25th giving the Royals a unique 4-1 victory on the road, the win the result of three set pieces and a penalty. In the 6th minute, defender Nuria Rábano sent a corner to captain Kate Del Fava who headed the ball into the net with her head, giving Del Fava her first goal in more than two years. In the 35th minute, the Royals doubled the lead when Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse sent a corner to Rábano who rocketed the ball towards the net before defender Tatumn Milazzo tapped it the rest of the way in, giving Rábano her second assist of the night. In the second half, Lacasse sent another corner, this time finding Mina Tanaka who netted her fifth goal of the season. The last goal of the four was a result of Lacasse herself, who after being fouled in the box, earned a penalty in stoppage time, giving the Royals a 4-1 victory with the most goals scored in a single game in Club history. The Royals current record against the Courage is 2W2D2L, this Sunday’s match becoming the tiebreaker in the two club’s all time meeting record.
North Carolina enters Sunday’s contest with a 12-3-10 league record with 39 pts, sitting at 7th in the overall NWSL standings, just three points away from the Royals. The Courage are on a two-game losing streak having fallen 2-1 to San Diego FC on Saturday, September 12th and losing 2-1 to Gotham FC on Saturday, September 19. Ashely’s Sanchez leads the 2026 Golden Boot race for both the Courage and the NWSL, having notched 19 goals this season, tying herself for the NWSL single-season scoring record for an American player. On September 6, in a 6-0 win over Chicago, Sanchez notched a hat trick, giving her seven goals in the last four matches. The Courage are led by Head Coach Mak Lind, who was appointed at the beginning of the 2026 season.
As Utah enters the matchup this Sunday, it will need to be prepared for Sanchez’ attack while relying on its steadfast back line to help secure three points against the North Carolina Courage in Matchweek 23, with the playoffs fast approaching.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH LIVE on The Roku Channel with Josh Eastern and Jill Loyden :: Utah Royals FC vs North Carolina Courage | America First Field | 5:00 p.m. MT
OR
LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) starting at 4:30 p.m. MT
Following the home match against the North Carolina Courage, the Royals will remain at America First Field to host the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 27th, with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. MT. Tickets for the match are available to purchase here.
URFC Next Home Match: 9/27 @ America First Field
URFC takes on North Carolina Courage at home on Swig Sunday $3 drinks at the stadium! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
