SALT LAKE CITY — In the biggest game of the 2019 season on Wednesday night, Utah Royals FC came up short.
Tied with Washington-based Reign FC for the fourth and final National Women’s Soccer League playoff spot, the two sides met Wednesday in Tacoma, Washington, in a contest that was primed to go a long way in deciding which squad will advance to the postseason as the campaign winds down.
A Jodie Taylor goal off an assist from Utah native Darian Jenkins all the way in the 86th minute was the difference-maker in the high-stakes showdown as Reign FC came away with the 2-1 victory.
With its win, Reign FC moved to 34 points on the season, while URFC remained at 31 with two games to go. In its final two contests, URFC will face the second-place Chicago Red Stars and the seventh-place Houston Dash, while Reign FC will play third-place Portland Thorns FC and the ninth-place (league-worst) Orlando Pride.
Wednesday’s loss marked URFC’s third consecutive coming down the home stretch of the season.
URFC started well enough, controlling the first 20 minutes or so before Reign FC began to attack. Then in the 40th minute, Taylor collected a ball about 30 yards away from the goal and lofted it over the URFC back line. Her teammate Bethany Balcer was the first player to it, and from there Balcer beat URFC goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, slotting the ball into the net.
Knowing the season was all but on the line, URFC came out attacking in the second half, and in the 67th minute, it got the equalizer. Desiree Scott sent the ball into the box, and Katie Stengel took advantage of major confusion, sending it home to set up an intense final 25 minutes.
Reign FC largely controlled that closing stretch, and in the 86th minute, Jenkins ended up with the ball at the top of the box and delivered a header into open space. Taylor connected with it, sending a gentle volley into the left side of the net where Barnhart couldn’t quite get to it.
URFC will try to claw back into the playoff picture on Saturday evening when it faces Chicago on the road.
First kick is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT.