Utah Royals’ record 10-match unbeaten streak snapped in Chicago
Jul 5, 2026, 6:23 PM
SANDY — The Utah Royals’ franchise-record 10-match unbeaten run came to a halt Sunday afternoon in a place the Royals have never won.
Jordyn Huitema scored a brace, including the go-ahead goal with four minutes left in regulation, as the Chicago Stars stunned Utah, 3-2 at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
It’s just the fourth win of the year for Chicago (4-0-9, 13 points), and the second in three matches to go with a 1-0 road victory over Bay FC back on May 24.
Cloé Lacasse and Cece Delzer each scored a goal for Utah, which fell to 0-5-1 all-time against the Stars when playing in the greater Chicago area.
The Royals (7-3-3, 24 points) lost for the first time since March 22 — with the aid of a month-long international break that coincided with the FIFA men’s World Cup.
“I think it took us a bit too long to get ourselves into the game,” Utah Royals manager Jimmy Coenraets said after the match. “I think we were a bit surprised at what was going on … I think we had a few standards, like not giving away set plays against a team as big and as aerial (as Chicago).
“We conceded two goals because we gave away the ball centrally while trying to play between the lines. We needed to get back to what we were doing in the season … We kind of tried different stuff, and I don’t think it worked in our favor.”
Utah Royals historic unbeaten streak undone by Stars
Several injuries including talisman Mina Tanaka (hamstring), captain Paige Cronin (calf) and center back Kaleigh Riehl (calf) prompted heavy squad rotation for the Royals in their first NWSL match since the league’s month-long international break during the early stages of the FIFA men’s World Cup.
Among the changes was West Haven native Courtney Brown, the former University of Utah standout who made her first professional start representing her home state, and Tatumn Milazzo sliding over to center back to replace Riehl alongside captain Kate Del Fava.
Chicago out-shot the Royals 5-1 in the early minutes (and 15-13 overall), including a one-touch finish in front of goal from Huitema in the 20th minute to put the Stars up 1-0.
The center forward slid onto the end of Brianna Pinto’s ball into the center of the penalty box in the 20th minute to give Chicago a leader over Utah in a city where the Royals had never won previously.
But the Royals wouldn’t stay down.
Cloé Lacasse capitalizes and equalizes for the Royals, scoring her 5th goal of the season! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/P9R5ys3q6v
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 5, 2026
Lacasse notched her team-high fifth goal of the season in the 43rd minute, finishing a right-footed shot inside the left corner to pull Utah on level terms at halftime.
It’s the seventh time in the Royals’ 11 first-half goals that Utah has scored in the final 15 minutes of the half — the most in the 16-team NWSL.
“Honestly, it’s our first game back from that CBA break and we’re trying out a few new things,” Lacasse admitted to CBS Sports Network at halftime. “It seems like we’re a little bit rusty because of it.”
Utah got a spark from an unlikely place as Madison Hammond made her first appearance since March 28, a 2-1 win over Boston Legacy due to a calf injury. The 28-year-old midfielder replaced Brown in the lineup, and pushed Ana Tejada further into a defensive role that helped the Royals take advantage of wide play on the college soccer pitch-turned-makeshift football stadium at Northwestern.
“I was really excited to get on the field,” said Hammond, who joined Utah in the offseason on a two-year contract after four years with Angel City FC. “But obviously I wasn’t super happy with the result. It’s always nice when you’re coming back from injury to get a half, try to get into the rhythm and flow that we’ve been building.
“We’ve had really good momentum going.”
Delzer drew a penalty upon video review of a foul in the box by Chicago’s Taylor Woods. After initially stepping up to the spot with the ball, Lacasse offered the kick to Delzer — and the 28-year-old forward made no mistake in beating Stars goalkeeper Katie Atkinson to the right post for her first goal of the season.
It’s Delzer’s first penalty kick goal since October 2021, when she played for Racing Louisville. But the lead didn’t last long.
EVEN A BLOODY NOSE CAN’T STOP JORDYN HUITEMA! pic.twitter.com/J5kUDu7CO4
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 5, 2026
Chicago responded in short order, when Sam Staab buried a left-footed free kick in the 59th minute to equalize from just outside the penalty area.
About 10 minutes after Tejada earned her fifth yellow card of the season, which will require the defensive midfielder to sit out Friday’s homecoming tilt, Chicago pulled back in front for good.
Huitema scored her second goal of the match, finishing a ball in the 86th minute that Maitane Lopez headed down from the corner by Mallory Swanson to give the Stars a 3-2 lead.
Mandy McGlynn made four saves in the match, notching her 200th career save to become one of just 18 goalkeepers in NWSL history to reach the mark.
Utah Royals return home Friday
Utah returns home Friday, July 10 to host Gotham FC at America First Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT on Victory+.
Tickets are available at utahroyals.com.
