Poor second half costs Utah Royals in NWSL season-opener
Mar 14, 2026, 4:02 PM
Utah Royals FC players warm up before facing the Kansas City Current to open the 2026 NWSL season. (Utah Royals FC)
(Utah Royals FC)
KANSAS CITY, Missouri – The Utah Royals struck first but couldn’t hang on in the second half, dropping its season-opener in a 2-1 setback against Kansas City.
The Kansas City Current hosted Utah Royals FC at CPKC Stadium in the National Women’s Soccer League opener for both clubs.
RELATED: Royals Unveil 2026 NWSL Regular Season Schedule
Final from KC. Up next, home opener! pic.twitter.com/SDi6q0aTdP
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) March 14, 2026
Tatumn Milazzo scored Utah’s only goal on a first half cross from Cloé Lacasse.
First Half
Utah had far more offensive success in the first half as the team looks to create more scoring chances in 2026.
For the first time in 2026, our Starting XI 🤩#KCvUTA | @Intermountain pic.twitter.com/Lkr7SPrI2l
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) March 14, 2026
The Royals used possession to keep Kansas City on its heels in the early going.
A corner set-piece in the 35th minute allowed Utah to break through.
Cloé Lacasse took a short corner pass and lofted the ball into the box, where Tatumn Milazzo headed it home for a 1-0 Royals lead.
Have no fear, Tatumn Milazzo scores in her first match back!
Peep the assist from Cloé Lacasse on this goal 🎯 pic.twitter.com/XLnjopcPiy
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) March 14, 2026
The goal came in Milazzo’s first match after suffering a torn ACL.
Utah led 1-0 at the half.
Second Half
Momomentum shifted in the final 45 minutes after Kansas City came out of the break with renewed vigor.
Utah appeared content to sit back and defend, allowing KC to maintain possession and find a rhythm.
Croix Bethune brought Kansas City level when she beat Mia Justus to the bottom left corner. Kayla Sharples assisted with the goal.
57′ | KC ties it up#KCvUTA | 1-1
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) March 14, 2026
11 minutes later, former Royal Ally Sentnor dribbled through and around the Utah defense before blasting a right-footed shot past a diving Justus for a 2-1 KC lead.
Utah never regained the advantage, falling 2-1.
Follow the Utah Royals with KSL Sports
The Utah Royals open their home schedule on Sunday, March 22, when the San Diego Wave rolls into America First Field. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. MT.
Follow the Utah Royals 2026 schedule here.
Live radio calls of every Utah Royals game can be found on sports.ksl.com. Select games will be broadcast on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM) and KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM/1160 AM).
Find KSL Sports coverage of the Utah Royals here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
