‘Get back to the team aspect’: Royals return home ready to bounce back against Gotham

SANDY — The Utah Royals make their return after a disappointing previous result.

“I’m OK with crawling through the mud,” Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets said this week. “But when tough days are created by our own behaviors, that’s when I get mad.”

The Royals returned to action Sunday after a month-long break, taken to accommodate increased stadium demands during the early stages of the FIFA World Cup. A late goal consigned Utah to a 3-2 loss at Chicago, snapping the club’s franchise-record 10-match unbeaten run.

Missing presumed starters on both sides of the ball, the Royals had ready-made excuses for the result. But as per usual, Coenraets wasn’t interested in excuses. 

Instead of bemoaning their fate and awaiting a mass return to health, Utah has spent the week examining the individual mistakes and tactical lapses that allowed the match to slip away, hoping to rediscover its identity before Gotham FC (6-3-3, 21 points) visits America First Field on Friday night.

Summing up the defeat, Coenraets put a bow on the Chicago loss, “I felt like we played against ourselves, and that’s not the way I want to lose games.”

Asked what he expects on Friday, he struck an optimistic tone.

“We’ll see two teams looking to get 3 points,” he said, “which is crucial in this phase of the competition. We’ve shown this season what kind of team we can be. It’s just getting back to who we are and getting those basics right. If we get back to the team aspect, we should be OK for the weekend.”

Striker Lara Prasnikar, who subbed in late against Chicago, picked up the thread.

“We know we have to be better to win games,” she said. “That was a good school for us, and every single player wants to do better on Friday.”

When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object

Friday’s match is a genuine 6-pointer and carries significant implications in the NWSL standings. Utah enters the weekend in fourth with 24 points, three ahead of seventh-place Gotham, though Gotham has played one fewer match.

A victory would strengthen the Royals’ position in the playoff race while helping erase the disappointment of last weekend’s loss in Chicago.

Gotham, the reigning NWSL Champions, also enters Friday looking to respond after a 2-0 loss to league-leading San Diego. Despite the defeat, the visitors remain one of the NWSL’s most balanced sides, led by Jaedyn Shaw’s four goals and one assist, while U.S. international Rose Lavelle has added two goals in her return to the league.

Gotham brings the league’s stingiest defense to America First Field, conceding just seven goals through 12 matches. 

Utah, meanwhile, has scored 20 goals this season (tied for 4th-best in the league).

At the other end of the pitch, Gotham has scored just 12 goals, tied for the third-fewest in the league. 

Friday offers the Royals an immediate opportunity to rediscover the defensive consistency that fueled their 10-match unbeaten run before three set-piece goals undid them in Chicago.

But while Gotham’s attack has been less prolific than its defense, Coenraets cautioned against reading too much into the numbers and was careful to point out that they do not take Gotham lightly. Instead, the Royals simply intend to stay with the approach that has served them well all season and focus on themselves.

“They have individual players that are really good,” he said, “but we’re still a team.”

Back to the basics

Prasnikar also discussed what the team has been working on in preparation for Gotham’s visit, again echoing her coach’s message. 

“Come back to the basics,” she said. “Do the simple things. What we did really well this season was be stable in defense. We didn’t do that against Chicago. We conceded three goals from set pieces, and that’s just not enough from our standard.”

Coenraets also believes the home supporters in Utah provide an energy boost.

“We missed them,” he said. “We have to make sure we create momentum through the fans.”

Prasnikar agreed. When asked what she was looking forward to most on Friday, her answer was immediate.

“Obviously the fans. The last game we played at home was awesome with how many came out there. We just want to keep that going and hopefully win the game.”

Match Information

Who: Utah Royals FC vs. Gotham FC
When: Friday, July 10 | 8 p.m. MDT
Where: America First Field, Sandy
Tickets: Available through SeatGeek

Theme Night: Princess Night presented by America First Credit Union

Fans are encouraged to arrive early for princess meet-and-greets on the plaza, tiaras for the first 2,000 fans and a halftime drone show.

Availability Report:

Out: DeAira Jackson (Concussion), Alex Loera (Knee, Season-Ending Injury), KK Ream (Knee, Season-Ending Injury), Kaleigh Riehl (calf), Ana Tejada (Suspended- Yellow Card Accumulation)

Questionable: None

International Duty: None