Tanaka’s 2 assists lift Utah Royals to 5th straight win, 2-0 over Houston

SANDY — The Utah Royals are making a habit of winning.

And clean sheets, too.

Mina Tanaka had two assists, and Mandy McGlynn made two saves to clinch her second-straight shutout as Utah Royals FC extended its unbeaten run to six-straight with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dash at America First Field.

Cloé Lacasse scored for the third-straight match for Utah (5-2-1, 16 points), and former University of Utah standout Courtney Brown added another in the final moments of Wednesday night’s match.

The win from a standalone midweek fixture in the NWSL propelled the Royals to second place in the 16-team league for the first time in club history, the highest-ever mark after multiple games of a season in both the club’s previous tenure from 2018-20 and the current iteration since 2023.

Utah is just 3 points behind Portland for the top spot in the league, which — if it wasn’t before — is officially on notice.

“I think it’s so important that we’re showing the foundation we’ve finally achieved here,” Lacasse said. “It’s tough to come out here; it’s tough to play the Royals. When you come here, you’re going to do everything you can to get points.”

Utah Royals set all-time shutout mark in win

The 378-minute shutout is the longest in the history of Utah’s professional women’s soccer outfit, both the one that launched from 2018-20 and the one that was revived three years ago.

It took a full-team effort from the Royals, including a goal-line clearance by center back Kate Del Fava in the 85th minute even as Utah out-shot the visitors 22-7.

“Our back line and goalkeepers have been doing a fantastic job of putting their bodies on the line, and putting everything into making sure we come out with a clean sheet,” Lacasse said. “We take great pride in that.

“It gives us attackers more confidence as well; they’re working their butts off, and we want to do the same thing up front. It’s contagious.”

Utah's Kate Del Fava gets in to defend the net 🥅 pic.twitter.com/TZRcaYfysH

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 7, 2026

Tanaka the engine for Utah Royals attack

Lacasse put the Royals up in the 38th minute, finishing with her right foot from Tanaka for her fourth goal contribution in the past five matches.

The Royals turned 74% of possession in the first half to out-shoot Houston (3-3-1, 10 points) 10-0 in the first half, including four shots on target and six corner kicks.

“I think she’s just very free,” Utah coach Jimmy Coenraets said of Tanaka, adding he believes the club has only uncovered around 70% of the Japanese international’s potential. “She’s feeling like herself, she’s moving, and she’s having fun. I saw players today having fun — and Mina is a smart player that was having fun.”

Utah wasn’t done, though.

Miyabi nearly doubled the advantage with an attempt off the woodwork justs after the 50th minute, and Ana Tejada had a goal called back in the 55th minute on a video review for offsides.

From Utah, for Utah. Courtney sealed the deal 👑 pic.twitter.com/pjf03rAiE8

— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) May 7, 2026

Tanaka did it again, finding Brown in transition to feed the Utah native’s first goal since returning to her home state that put the Royals up 2-0 in the 88th minute.

“It was super awesome, super special, especially doing it in front of my hometown crowd,” said Brown, who grew up in West Haven and played for Fremont High and LaRoca FC. “I had a lot of family and friends here tonight, so it was really cool.”

Next up

Utah hits the road to face 2025 NWSL expansion sibling Bay FC on Sunday, May 10.

Kickoff from PayPal Park in San Jose, California, is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT on Victory+ and locally on KMYU.