Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SANDY — The resounding sentiment among Utah Royals FC players and staff heading into the 2024 season was a desire to win.
The first victory for Royals 2.0 will have to wait a little longer after the visiting Chicago Red Stars came into America First Field and stole a 2-0 win in front of an announced sell-out crowd in Sandy for the inaugural match of the Utah expansion side.
Utah controlled the majority of possession, and even led in total shots 19-10, but couldn't find the difference to come up with a win or draw in the first NWSL match in Utah since 2020.
Sentnor and Nelson talk about the sold-out crowd, with Sentnor saying it's the largest crowd she's played in front of pic.twitter.com/kBk5SHkvQd
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) March 17, 2024
"We came out of the gate really strong, and I was really proud of our team," Ally Sentnor said. "We had some really, really good moments that I think we can build on and definitely some plays that we can build on."
The team started 0-for-6 in shots on target in a first half that ended 0-0, and the Red Stars capitalized on the missed opportunities by taking the lead in the 50th minute on a header from Ally Schlegel. Ava Cook scored the second goal in the 77th minute, and Royals head coach Amy Rodriguez brought on a pair of attacking subs in an attempt to mount a comeback.
Former BYU stars Cameron Tucker and Brecken Mozingo entered the match to try and spur some action in the attacking half, with the entrance of Mozingo marking her professional debut after being drafted fourth overall by the Royals in the 2024 NWSL college draft.
Warm welcome for @byusoccer_w stars Cameron Tucker and Brecken Mozingo entering the match for @UtahRoyalsFC
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) March 17, 2024
Professional debut for Sandy native Mozingo pic.twitter.com/VfHu0wrVaf
"We wanted to go for some impact, especially in the later minutes of the game when we were obviously down 2-0," Rodriguez said of the substitutes. "Brecken Mozingo is a game changer, and we thought she was gonna be able to do that for us tonight. We just couldn't put it over the line."
Rodriguez interrupted one question about the result by simply saying, "Alyssa Naeher," talking, of course, about the Chicago goalkeeper and U.S. women's national team starter who put up five saves to keep Utah out of the goal.
Utah has a quick turnaround but stays at home to take on the North Carolina Courage for their second match on Friday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m. MDT at America First Field.
