URFC Draws Second Largest Crowd Following Return Of USWNT Players
Jul 23, 2019, 6:22 PM
Utah Royals FC forward Katie Stengel (24). Utah Royals FC forward Christen Press (23) and Utah Royals FC forward Amy Rodriguez (8) celebrate a goal during a soccer game against the Portland Thorns FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Friday, July 19, 2019. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SANDY, Utah – The National Women’s Soccer League announced that Utah Royals FC and Rio Tinto Stadium drew the second largest crowd over the weekend.
The Royals played the Portland Thorns to a 2-2 draw in front of 15,931 fans.
Chicago had the largest attendance over the weekend with a sellout crowd of 17,388 in their 2-1 win over the North Carolina Courage.
NWSL announced attendance this weekend with #uswnt players returning to action from World Cup:
Chicago: 17,388 (sellout)
Utah: 15,931
Orlando: 9,415
Washington: 5,500 (sellout)— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) July 21, 2019
For the Royals, it was the first game back for the three players that won the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the United States Women’s National Team in France. Defenders Becky Sauerbrunn and Kelley O’Hara along with forward Christen Press won their second straight World Cup title.
Against Portland, URFC was trailing 2-1 after the Thorn scored the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute, but Rachel Corsie tied the match in the 90th minute on a goal.
Press scored in the first half to tie the game at one on a brilliant goal.
Putting the pressure back on 👇 pic.twitter.com/XmU5ig4ALV
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) July 20, 2019
The Royals have 18 points on the season and still sit in fifth place in the NWSL standings but tied on points with the Washington Spirit.
They will return to Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m. against the North Carolina Courage, who are in second place in the standings.
