HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, August 27, 2026) – Utah Royals FC (11-4-7, 36 pts) head to Inter.co Stadium to battle Orlando Pride (8-2-11, 26 pts) on Saturday, August 29th with kickoff set for 5:00 p.m. MT. URFC recently fell to San Diego last Friday in a 4-2 defeat against the Wave. Now, the Royals turn its attention to Orlando, hoping to return home with 3 points in its second match of a two-game road trip.
While the Royals’ fall to San Diego was not the ideal result, the match still featured a brace for Japanese international Mina Tanaka. The Royals conceded early, when Trinity Byars notched a goal in the 4th minute, however the URFC squad was not discouraged. The Royals responded when Tanaka buried the ball in the top left corner in the 28th minute, equalizing the score. In the 40th minute, San Diego regained the lead with a shot from Melanie Barcenas. In the second half, Cloé Lacasse earned her ninth assist of the season, providing the ball to Tanaka who once-again scored, equalizing the game for the second time that night. The goal signified her second career brace, making her the first-ever Utah Royal to record multiple double-goal games in club history, and marked her third goal in two consecutive games. With the assist, Lacasse now becomes just the third player in the league to reach 15+ goal contributions this season. Despite the Royals’ efforts, San Diego was able to double its lead, scoring in the 63rd and 82nd minute of the match, handing the Royals a 2-4 loss.
Now, the Royals’ head to Orlando to take on the Pride for its second matchup against the club during the 2026 campaign. URFC previously beat Orlando 1-0 during a home game on July 18th, with Royals’ midfielder Narumi scoring the winning goal in the 36th minute. The victory snapped the Club’s 2-game losing streak upon returning from international break. Since the win earlier this season, URFC now has a 4W-3D-4L record against the Pride, with the next meeting giving either team an edge in the rivalry.
Orlando Pride enters the matchup on Saturday with a 8-2-11 league record with 26 pts, sitting at 11th in the overall NWSL standings. Since their last matchup against the Royals, Orlando has found 2 wins and 3 losses, most recently falling to the Portland Thorns 2-1 on August 15th before going on to prevail over the Washington Spirit 1-0 on August 23rd.
The Pride’s Barbra Banda currently has 12 goals during the 2026 season and will be an extreme force against the Royals’ backline. Led by Head Coach Seb Hines, the 2024 NWSL Coach of the Year, who will be spearheading the Pride’s effort to secure three points in front of a home crowd.
As the Royals look to bounce back from its loss against San Diego, it will rely on talents such as Lacasse and Tanaka to create opportunities, and on the Royals’ back line to battle against Orlando’s strong attack. The matchup against the Pride will be critical in climbing the ranks as playoff contention approaches, and URFC will be doing all it can to notch a victory for its 22nd match of the 2026 campaign.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
WATCH LIVE on NWSL+ with Jaime Hersch and Merritt Mathias :: Utah Royals FC vs Orlando Pride | Inter.co Stadium | 5:00 p.m. MT
OR
WATCH LIVE on KMYU with JP Chunga and Amber Tripp :: Utah Royals FC vs. Orlando Pride | Inter.co Stadium | 4:30 p.m. MT | KMYU (2.2 over air / 12 satellite / 643 Comcast HD)
OR
LISTEN via KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) starting at 4:30 p.m. MT
After taking on Orlando Pride, the Royals’ will return home to host Boston Legacy FC on Friday, September 4th at America First Field, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. MT. Tickets are available to purchase here.
URFC Next Home Match: 9/4 @ America First Field
Utah Royals take on Boston Legacy FC at home! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
