‘Statistically unpredictable’: Utah Royals face league-leading Washington Spirit

SANDY — One week, the Utah Royals won by shutting down one of the NWSL’s most dangerous attacks. The next, they scored four goals, two from center-backs on set pieces.

Different opponents. Different challenges. Different solutions.

For head coach Jimmy Coenraets, that’s exactly what the Royals have spent the past two seasons trying to become.

“We wanted to be statistically unpredictable as well,” Coenraets said after training Tuesday. “We don’t have the one go-to player, the one go-to strategy. We can score, or we want to score, in many ways.”

His philosophy faces a fierce challenge on Wednesday night when the Royals host league-leading Washington Spirit at America First Field.

Both clubs enter the match on two-game winning streaks. Washington sits atop the NWSL standings with 33 points, while Utah trails by just three after consecutive victories over Orlando and North Carolina.

Winning in different ways

The contrast between Utah’s last two victories perfectly illustrates Coenraets’ point.

Against Orlando, the Royals leaned on defensive discipline, holding Barbra Banda and the Pride without a shot on target.

A week later, they overwhelmed North Carolina 4-1, scoring twice from set pieces before adding goals through open play and a late penalty.

Ten different Royals have now scored this season, underscoring Coenraets’ belief that opponents shouldn’t be able to predict where the next goal will come from.

“I think it all leans into what we’ve been saying for two years,” Coenraets said. “I’m just happy it’s coming out right now and we’re seeing it on the pitch.”

Knowing the Courage struggled to defend dead-ball situations, Utah deliberately looked to force corners and long throw-ins before capitalizing with goals from Kate Del Fava and Tatumn Milazzo.

“We knew for a fact how we wanted to approach this game,” Coenraets said. “We wanted to go quite direct and get some corner kicks, get some throw-ins high up on the pitch and then try to translate these into real opportunities.”

Coenraets was typically quick to deflect credit from himself and his staff, instead lauding the players for recognizing what the match demanded.

“They’re taking accountability, they’re taking responsibility within the game,” he said. “If they see a different picture on the pitch, they have to be able to make the right decisions.”

A familiar opponent

Washington presents a daunting challenge.

The Spirit lead the league with 33 points and feature one of the NWSL’s most dangerous attacks, spearheaded by forward Trinity Rodman (7 goals, 5 assists) and midfielder Leicy Santos (5 goals, 4 assists). But Coenraets sees more than star power.

He sees a team built much like his own.

“I think they’ve found different ways of winning games,” he said. “It’s a team that has many ways of winning a game.”

He believes both clubs rely on something beyond tactics.

“They like to work together, they like to collaborate,” Coenraets said. “I think it’s a very similar vibe to us.”

It points to a compelling matchup between two tactically flexible teams. Neither relies on one star or one system, and both are comfortable adapting to what the match offers them.

Togetherness remains the Royals’ strength

Veteran defender Kate Del Fava believes that flexibility starts with the group’s collective mentality.

“I think togetherness is what we always talk about,” Del Fava said.

Utah has received goals from defenders, midfielders and forwards this season.

Players have moved in and out of the lineup because of injuries, suspensions and transfers, yet the team’s principles have remained unchanged.

“It’s not just one player that’s gonna win the game for us,” Del Fava said. “Teams aren’t gonna be able to beat 11 players that are on the same page, doing the same job.”

That mindset has become increasingly important during a demanding three-match week.

The Royals won’t have much recovery time after the Washington match with Portland coming to Utah on Sunday.

For Del Fava, the approach doesn’t change.

“It’s just the next game up mentality.”

Opportunity at the top

The Royals have spent the past two weeks showing they can win in different ways. Wednesday offers the chance to prove they can do it against the league’s best.

For Coenraets, that has been the objective long before Utah climbed into the title race.

Not to build an attack around one player.

Not to rely on one tactical formula.

But to become, in his words, “statistically unpredictable.”

Match information:

Who: Washington Spirit at Utah Royals

When: Wednesday, July 29; 7:00 p.m. MT 

Where: America First Field, Sandy, Utah 

Watch: Streaming on NWSL+ or live on KMYU (2.2 over air / 12 satellite / 643 Comcast HD)

Radio: KSL Sports Radio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) 

Tickets: Available on the Utah Royals website