Utah Royals clinch first NWSL playoff berth despite 0-0 draw with Seattle
Portland's 1-0 win over North Carolina gave the Royals the help they needed after they failed to beat the Reign in Sandy.
Based on reporting by The Salt Lake Tribune. Read the original story →
The Utah Royals clinched their first NWSL playoff berth Friday night even though they played Seattle Reign FC to a 0-0 draw in Sandy, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. A win would have secured the spot outright, but the Portland Thorns' 1-0 victory over the North Carolina Courage settled it. [1]
Utah finished 11th in 2024 and 12th last season. The Royals sit fifth at 14-10-5 after a 10-game unbeaten run early in the season, and injuries have slowed them in recent weeks. They outshot Seattle 11-9, 4-1 on goal, and goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn earned her fifth clean sheet of the year. [1]
Coach Jimmy Coenraets said the Royals played a "let's-not-lose" game. "We wanted to win, but we were also smart about not losing this game," he said. Utah closes the regular season Sunday, Nov. 1, at first-place Gotham FC in Harrison, New Jersey. [1]
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This story was written by AI from the report by The Salt Lake Tribune, which has the full story. How we write stories.