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- 15-year-old KK Ream became the youngest NWSL starter in the Utah Royals' loss.
- Coach Jimmy Coenraets praised Ream's potential despite the team's 2-0 defeat to North Carolina.
- The Utah Royals struggled offensively with a fourth shutout in seven games this season.
SANDY — With just one goal in the last four games, Utah Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets decided to change up the starting lineup Saturday against the North Carolina Courage.
Fifteen-year-old Herriman native KK Ream got her first start as a winger in the adjusted lineup, becoming the youngest starter in NWSL history in the process.
"To start a game and to play the way that she did, I think that's good," Coenraets said of the teenager. "It's something that we can build upon."
Ream became the youngest Utah Royals player ever when she signed with the club in December as a forward; and at 15 years, 9 months and 26 days, she set another record as the youngest player in league history to start a NWSL game.
"KK has so much potential," Utah captain Kate Del Fava said. "It's just getting her in the right position so she can be successful on the field."
Unfortunately for Utah, the record-breaking starting lineup did not result in a change in offensive output, as the Royals were shut out for the fourth time in the opening seven games of the season with a 2-0 loss at home to the Courage.
A composed finish from Ashley Sanchez, relentless pressure from Ryan Williams and Manaka Matsukubo, and a perfect performance by Casey Murphy give the North Carolina Courage their second win of the season.
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) May 4, 2025
Utah Royals vs NC Courage highlights presented by @Nationwidepic.twitter.com/W20aiCcjoy
Coenraets' winning percentage in 2025 now sits at 14% more than a quarter of the way through the season, the same as Amy Rodriguez's when she was fired as head coach of the Royals in June 2024.
"This can't be the case every game," Del Fava said after the team's fifth loss. "It can't be: come out flat, concede goals and then decide to show up and play."
Both North Carolina goals came in the first half, with the second going down as an own goal off of Del Fava just before halftime. Mina Tanaka subbed on in the second half to strengthen the attack in her first action since March, but wasn't able to find the back of the net in her return from injury.
Ally Sentnor, who is one of four players with one goal this season for Utah, mentioned a missed opportunity she had in the first half and the process of improving the quality of passes and shots being taken by her and her teammates.
"I am just trying to get as many quality chances on goal myself or setting up teammates as possible, because those will ultimately lead to goals," Sentnor said. "Really just trying to get us into goal zone opportunity chances, instead of just half chances here and there."
On the defensive end, goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn put up five saves in the loss and also forced a missed penalty late in the game.
Utah heads on the road next for a tough pair of matches at Angel City and the Washington Spirit before returning to America First Field on May 23 against the Orlando Pride.
