Utah Royals FC picked up their first win of the 2026 season on Saturday morning at Gillette Stadium, edging Boston FC 2-1 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Looking for their first win of the year, the Royals opened with attacking intent and a lineup full of fresh faces, determined to claim their first three points.
Utah Royals FC head coach Jimmy Coenraets made six changes to the starting lineup for the Boston match, shifting to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation from last Wednesday’s draw. Defenders Alexa Spaanstra and Tatumn Milazzo returned to the XI, Milazzo back from suspension. Miyabi Moriya and Mina Tanaka made their first starts of the season, while Slovenian international Lara Prašnikar joined the attack.
Milazzo strikes first
Utah looked dangerous from the start, and the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. After earning a free kick, Cloé Lacasse delivered a ball across the box, and Milazzo met it with a clean, one touch finish just inside the left post to put the Royals ahead.
The goal marked Milazzo’s second of the 2026 season and sixth of her NWSL career, with four of those coming by way of headers. It also added to her legacy by giving Utah its first-ever goal against Boston.
Prašnikar’s Game Winning Goal in the Penalty Box
Coming out of the break, the Royals looked to extend their lead. Tanaka earned a penalty for the Royals in the 49th minute — the second straight week Boston has conceded a PK. Prašnikar stepped up and confidently struck a powerful shot into the top-left corner, leaving the Boston goalkeeper with no chance. The goal was Prašnikar’s second of the 2026 season and gave Utah a 2-0 lead.
Boston pulls one back, but Royals hold on
Boston pulled one back in the 73rd minute. Forward Amanda Gutierres delivered a well-timed pass into space for Aissata Traoré. The striker outpaced the Utah backline and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Mia Justus, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The goal marked Boston’s first-ever score in club history.
Despite the late surge, Utah controlled possession and defended well in the closing minutes to secure the victory.
Quotable
“I think mentality is the key here,” Prašnikar said after her game-winning goal. “I think we stood up to the challenge and gave it our all today and in all the games this week. So I’m very proud of the team and every single player, to just show up and fight for this club.”
What it means for Utah
The win gives the Royals their first three points of the 2026 season and builds momentum as the team looks to climb the standings. Milazzo and Prašnikar have made immediate impacts in their first campaigns with Utah, gaining momentum for the club early in the 2026 season.
URFC returns home next week to host the Chicago Stars FC at America First Field, hoping to secure its first home win. Tickets for the match are available for purchase via RSL.com.
