The Utah Royals secured their first point of the 2026 NWSL season in a draw against the Washington Spirit at Audi Stadium in D.C. on Wednesday night.
Royals enter halftime down 0-1
Utah Royals’ Head coach Jimmy Coenraets made three starting lineup changes from last week’s home opener against San Diego Wave FC. After falling to the Wave 2-1, he added Kameron Simmonds, Dayana Pierre-Louis, and Brecken Mozingo to the lineup.
The Royals started the first half with forward Cece Delzer applying pressure and taking multiple shots on goal in the 13th and 15th minutes of the match.
In the 18th minute, Washington’s Trinity Rodman took her time in the pocket, passing to Sofia Cantore, who placed a shot that was redirected by a header from Rebeca Bernal, placing the ball in the back of the net and putting Washington in the lead 1-0. Rodman used the momentum to take another shot on goal with a one touch in the 18th minute, narrowly missing. Washington continued to apply pressure as Rodman took three more shots on goal in the 34th minute — each deflected by a different Royals player.
Utah managed to hold Washington at bay as they also had multiple shots on goal. Utilizing a free kick from Mozingo in minute 45 +1, Ana Tajada had a shot from the right, narrowly hitting the crossbar, leaving the Royals down at halftime 0-1.
Quotable
“I’m always trying to set people up and try to find assists, so I saw Mina make a good run and I just put it into her path,” Delzer said on her assist to Tanaka.
“I think it will build momentum a lot and we know in this league that every point is so huge, obviously it’s early on in the season but towards the later end of the season you know that every point matters, so this point is big for us,“ Royals Defender Kaleigh Riehl said.
Tanaka’s goal ties up the game in the 84th minute
The Royals headed into the second half with renewed determination and increased pressure on the ball. Utah goalkeeper Mia Justus continued to showcase her talent with incredible saves in the 54th and 56th minute, preventing Washington from scoring again.
In the 60th minute, Tanaka and Miyabi Moriya entered the match, fresh off winning the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, bringing Japan its third title.
In the 77th minute, Simmonds passed a cross to Tanaka who took a shot that barely missed the box. Utilizing this momentum, Delzer took the ball down the field, drawing Washington’s defenders down the right side. At the last possible moment Delzer passed the ball to the middle to Tanaka who buried the ball in the back of the net with a right-footed shot in the 84th minute to tie the match. The goal marks a historic moment in Royals history, being Utah’s 100th regular-season goal in club history.
When the final whistle blew the score was 1-1, the draw giving the Royals their first point of the 2026 NWSL season.
Up next
Utah Royals finish out their two-game road trip by taking on the Boston Legacy FC, for their first ever matchup against the expansion team, at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, March 28, with kickoff scheduled for 10 a.m. MDT.
Tickets for the Royals’ next home match against the Chicago Stars, on Friday April 3 at 7 p.m. MDT are available for purchase via www.RSL.com.
