Narumi’s wonderstrike helps Utah Royals snap skid with much-needed 1-0 win over Orlando

SANDY — After returning from the NWSL international break with back-to-back losses, the Utah Royals looked more like themselves Saturday night.

Narumi Miura scored the only goal of the match with a first-half banger, and Utah didn’t allow a shot on target as the Royals snapped a three-match winless skid with a 1-0 win over the Orlando Pride in front of an announced crowd of 9,591 fans at America First Field.

Ana Tejada assisted on the goal, which was Narumi’s second since joining Utah in January. But Tejada also proved critical in defense, shielding the center back tandem of Kate Del Fava and Tatumn Milazzo to help hold prolific goal scorer Barbra Banda without a goal — or even a shot on goal — while Utah (8-4-3, 27 points) out-shot the Pride 13-3 overall.

The loss is the third for Orlando (6-8-2, 20 points) in the last four matches since returning from the month-long NWSL international break, including a 1-0 setback to Boston Legacy FC on Wednesday.

“She provides that communication to our back four, kind of our relay person, which is so important,” Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn said of Tejada, who missed the match against Gotham due to yellow-card accumulation. “Her passion really lights up the whole team … She’s that person who is just in the game 110%, and everyone feeds off that energy.

“Having that energetic domination in the middle spreads out, and it’s great for our group.”

Narumi scores as Utah Royals’ defense stands tall

The Royals made two changes to the starting lineup from last week’s 3-1 loss to Gotham FC, bringing back Miyabi in defense and Ana Tejada in midfield to try to snap a three-match winless skid.

Orlando, too, made four changes just three days after a 1-0 loss to league newcomers Boston Legacy from a road match at Boston Legacy, with Banda replacing legendary Brazilian superstar Marta and Draper’s Seven Castain joining the starting lineup for the first time since May 17.

The changes put the Royals on the front foot, out-shooting Orlando 7-0 in the first half as Narumi gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute with her second goal of the season.

The Japanese international took a touch from Tejada near the top of the box, dribbled toward the corner, and whipped a left-footed bomb across the face of goal that sailed inside the far post as Utah held the Pride without a shot through 45 minutes for the first time since 2022.

It's a bird, it's a plane, its a Narumi goal ✨ pic.twitter.com/wmjgv8t8NN

— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) July 19, 2026

“I saw the goalkeeper, and her position was high,” Narumi said of the goal — her first since a 3-0 win over Seattle Reign on April 26, “so I just thought, ‘shoot it!’ And I was just happy it went in.”

The shot that looked more like a cross — plenty of people asked Narumi the same question after the match — dipped inside the far post past Orlando’s Anna Moorehouse as she was staring towards a setting sun peaking through the northwest corner of the stadium.

But Narumi’s shot was more than just an accident. After controlling possession with nothing to show for it, she saw an opportunity and let one rip before her teammates erupted off the bench to swarm her on the sideline.

“I thought Ana was going to shoot it,” Narumi admitted. “But when she passed to me, I thought, I’ve got to shoot.”

Utah nearly added another in the 65th minute, when Cloe Lacasse’s corner kick took a touch near Tatumn Milazzo before caroming off the far post and crossbar to keep the 1-0 advantage.

Instead, the Royals held the Pride without a second-half shot on target — and just three shots overall — to move within 3 points of league-leading Gotham FC.

Next up

After back-to-back home games, Utah hits the road next Saturday, July 25 at North Carolina Courage (5:45 p.m. MT, Ion), the first of three matches in eight days.

The Royals are back home Wednesday, July 29 to host the Washington Spirit (7 p.m. MT, KMYU).

Narumi Miura’s goal spells victory for @UtahRoyalsFC!

Utah Royals FC vs. Orlando Pride Highlights presented by @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/i5huPpu6ju

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 19, 2026