Utah Royals FC set a new team record for goals in a match during the club’s 5-1 victory at America First Field Sunday against Portland. A dominant second-half performance earned the home side its 10th win of a season for the first time since 2019, and brought its 2026 goal count to 31, a new single-season club high, with 12 games remaining on the campaign.
Lacasse’ record setting night
Entering the 100-degree Sunday matchup against Portland, URFC Captain Paige Cronin was in the starting lineup for the first time since May 17 against Racing Louisville, while veteran defender Kaleigh Riehl reached the century mark, making her 100th career NWSL appearance.
After conceding early (just 34 seconds in, the fastest goal in the NWSL this season), the Royals responded with a 35th-minute equalizer by forward Cece Delzer. Utah then entered the second half with energy as Delzer scored again, earning her a first-ever career brace. Utah native Brecken Mozingo entered the match in the 65th minute, and wasting no time, the former BYU attacker netted a goal just three minutes later to earn her first score of the 2026 season.
With three assists on the evening, Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse set a trio of new Club records: her 13 goal contributions on the season sets a new standard (previously established by USWNT star Christen Press in 2019), her eight total assists is a new club record, and she breaks current teammate Mina Tanaka’s career goal-contribution record with 19 total.
The Royals ended the dominant 5-1 victory with a 79th minute goal by Kiana Palacios and an 89th minute goal by Kate Del Fava.
Quotable:
“You have to go through the rough and tough for it to get better and I think that is kind of the way we are going now,” URFC head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. “I think it’s finding authenticity in what we do and I love this group with all my heart. I have said it before but, this is a magical place, a magical city and when people fly in they understand that.”
Game summary
The visiting Thorns got off to a lightning-fast start, with USA star forward Sophia Wilson scoring the quickest goal of this NWSL season just 34 seconds in, forcing the Royals to play from behind early on. URFC was able to settle into the match, finding offensive opportunities and breaking through in the 35th minute, evening the score to one a piece with the goal by Delzer, coming off a perfect through ball by Palacios, who earned her third assist of the 2026 NWSL season.
Veteran forward Delzer continued her scoring form, netting a brace just two minutes into the second half to bring her to four goals in Utah’s last six matches and giving the home side the momentum. After the beautiful 68th minute goal by Mozingo, the home side continued its scoring spree with Palacios netting an impressive back flick following a cross by Japanese defender Miyabi. The 89th-minute header by Del Fava lifted the Royals to five goals, the most ever scored by the Club in a single match.
Up next
Utah Royals FC hit the road next Saturday, Aug. 8 by heading to Denver, Colorado, to play in the second matchup of the inaugural fan-named “Continental Divide” rivalry against the expansion Denver Summit. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT and will be broadcast exclusively via ION TV (ch. 16 in Utah).
