ORLANDO, Florida (Saturday, August 29 2026) – Utah Royals FC (12-7-3, 39 points, 2nd NWSL) earned a hard fought 2-1 victory against Orlando Pride (8-12-2, 26 points, 12th NWSL) on Saturday night at Inter.Co Stadium. After conceding in the first half the Royals battled to net two unanswered second half goals to snap a two-game losing streak.
Utah Royals Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets made three personnel changes to his starting XI following the 4-2 loss in San Diego last Friday. Defender Tatumn Milazzo slotted into the heart of the defense, bringing a physical presence that stifled the attacking power of Orlando’s Barbra Banda in the club’s last meeting. Veteran midfielder Madison Hammond made her third start of the season, playing alongside Ana Tejada who shifted to replace Narumi, out this weekend with a hamstring injury.
Mexican forward Kiana Palacios was the third and final personnel change to the starting lineup. After making a cameo in her home state of San Diego last weekend, the forward was a welcomed addition on the pitch as her speed and pressing ability unsettles opponents defenses and creates offensive opportunities.
The visitors started the match with energy, pressing to find opportunities in the attacking third minutes into the first half while Orlando’s offensive presence was also felt immediately as well forcing URFC Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn to get involved early on, including a 9th minute save against Banda to keep the Pride scoreless.
While the two sides traded opportunities, URFC continued to press, earning its best opportunity in the 16th minute as veteran forward Cece Delzer dribbled the ball down the right side with speed before sending a perfectly placed cross into the middle of the box for Palacios whose one-touch shot went just right of the post. While the shot wasn’t converted, the offensive chances throughout the first 30 minutes of play were positive against the difficult Orlando side.
In the 44th minute the Pride broke onto the scoresheet first, sending the Royals into the locker room down 1-0. The late first-half score proved to fuel the visitors as Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse netted the equalizer just five minutes into the second set of 45 minutes.
The exquisite build-up started with Delzer who sent a well-placed through ball to Palacios down the right side of the pitch. The Mexican national showcased poise sending a perfectly weighted cross through and into the box under high pressure for Lacasse who netted the equalizer, for her seventh goal of the season.
As the second half continued, the press that Utah has become so well known for paid off once again. In the 70th minute Lacasse dribbled toward the goal-line before showcasing impressive footwork to lose her defender and send the ball central for Veteran Forward Paige Cronin, the 69th minute sub sent a one-touch bullet into the back of the net to take the 2-1 lead.
With her assist tonight, Lacasse now has 10 thus far this season, tying the all-time NWSL single-season record jointly held by Tobin Heath (2016) and Croix Bethune (2024). After a penalty given to the Royals was called back in the sixth minute of stoppage time, the visitors ended the evening with a 2-1 victory.
The evening not only marked URFC’s first-ever sweep against the Pride but, the first time during the 2026 season the Royals have won after trailing at the half. The hard fought 2-1 victory also snapped a two game losing streak for the Royals, sending the squad back to Utah with three points and an important win as it continues its playoff push.
The Royals return to the Wasatch Front for the first time in over two weeks next Friday, September 4, welcoming 2026 expansion side Boston Legacy and former Utah Royal Bianca St. Georges to America First Field for the first time. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT with tickets available for purchase here.
ORL 1 : 2 UTA
ORL: Barbra Banda (Summer Yates) 44’: Blank sent a through ball from the center circle for Banda who showcased her speed, outpacing her defender to run onto the ball and touch around the ‘keeper before sending the ball into the back of the net.
UTA: Cloé Lacasse (Kiana Palacios) 50‘: Delzer started the play, sending a ball into the right side of the box for Palacios who’s perfect cross through the box found Lacasse who scored with a one-touch shot into the back of the net.
UTA: Paige Cronin (Cloè Lacasse) 70’: Lacasse showcased impressive footwork to bring down her defender before sending a pass to the top of the box for Cronin who took a one touch left-footed shot, sending it into the back of the net.
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-3-3): Mandy McGlynn; Miyabi (Paige Cronin, 63’), Kate Del Fava ©, Tatumn Milazzo, Nuria Rábano; Madison Hammond (Dayana Pierre-Louis, 63’), Ana Tejada, Mina Tanaka; Cece Delzer, Kiana Palacios (Courtney Brown, 88’), Cloé Lacasse
Subs not used: Mia Justus, DeAira Jackson, Kameron Simmonds, Kaleigh Riehl, Alexa Spaanstra, Ali Swensen
Head Coach: Jimmy Coenraets
Orlando Pride (4-3-3): Cosette Morché; Cori Dyke, Rafaelle (Zara Chavoshi, 65’), Oihane, Hallie Mace (Hannah Anderson, 85’); Ally Lemos (Luana, 64’), Haley McCutcheon ©, Angelina (Gabi Nunes, 75’); Summer Yates (Nicole Payne, 65’), Barbra Banda, Jacquie Ovalle
Subs not used: Anna Moorhouse, Cara Martin
Head Coach: Seb Hines
Stats Summary: ORL / UTA
Possession: 40 / 60
Shots: 8 / 18
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Corner Kicks: 2 / 7
Fouls: 10 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
UTA: Kate Del Fava (Yellow Card - 4’)
UTA: Tatumn Milazzo (Yellow Card - 10’)
ORL: Jacquie Ovalle (Yellow Card - 32’)
ORL: Angelina (Yellow Card - 35’)
UTA: Ana Tejada (Yellow Card - 81’)
Photo Assets — Please Credit Utah Royals FC
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.
