Utah Royals’ winless skid extends to 3 straight with 3-1 loss to Gotham FC

SANDY — The Utah Royals looked for momentum of 10,014 home fans and the return from the month-long NWSL international break to snap a short winless skid Friday night.

Instead, Esther Gonzalez extended the top-flight squad’s misfortunes.

Gonzalez had a brace, and Tierna Davidson added another goal as Gotham FC took all 3 points with a 3-1 win over Utah Royals FC in the first home match since the break.

Cece Delzer scored Utah’s lone goal in the come-from-ahead loss that stretched the Royals’ winless skid to three-straight dating back to May 23.

“These moments are challenging,” said Utah forward Cloé Lacasse after the loss, the club’s first at home since a 2-1 setback March 22 to San Diego Wave FC. “But it’s also going to make us stronger, and we have to learn from them fast.”

Utah Royals start strong but Gotham responds better

Delzer opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, taking a pass from Kiana Palacios out of the midfield and racing upfield for her second goal in as many matches.

But the lead didn’t last long.

Less than a minute later, Nuria Rábano was whistled for a foul in the box and Gonzalez stepped up to the spot to convert the equalizer in the 26th minute.

Davidson gave Gotham the lead in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, when the center back pushed forward to redirect a corner kick with one touch that gave the New York/New Jersey side a 2-1 halftime advantage.

Gonzalez added another in the 70th minute, bullying her way into the box before putting away a third past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn — her former teammate with whom she won a championship in 2023 before the rising U.S. international signed with the Royals.

The second of the match was Gonzalez’s 28th regular-season goal with the franchise, tied for the most in Gotham FC history with Sam Kerr — the Australian striker who watched the game from a suite above America First Field after a return to the NWSL from Chelsea in England.

Esther González’s brace led the charge for a @GothamFC victory!

Utah Royals FC vs. Gotham FC Highlights presented by @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/lwi42zYxig

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 11, 2026

Defensive rotations adapting to shifting back line

During a franchise-record 10-match unbeaten run that vaulted Utah towards the top of the 16-team NWSL table, the Royals conceded just four goals with two more in the final match before the break, a 2-2 draw at Portland.

Since the return, Utah has conceded six goals in two matches and eight since its last shutout May 10 at Bay FC. That includes another 3-2 loss to the Chicago Stars in the first match after the break.

Personnel changes along the back line, including the transfer of Janni Thomsen to London City Lionesses in England and an injury to center back Kaleigh Riehl, haven’t benefitted a back line led by iron woman Kate Del Fava.

Rookie defender Kameron Simmonds earned just her third start of the season Friday, with two additional changes in the midfield in Madison Hammond and the return of talisman Mina Tanaka.

But the changes go beyond one or two players.

“I think that’s where we as a coaching staff have to look at ourselves,” head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. “Have we spent enough time with potential subs, with rotations in the back line? At one point in the season, we have to rotate and do different stuff.

“I think defensively, we looked OK until the 60-70th minute and then gaps were there …” he added. “It’s just giving time and making sure that we get the pieces right.”

Next up

Utah Royals FC return to Sandy to host the Orlando Pride on Saturday, July 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. MT on ION.

Tickets are available at utahroyals.com.