Utah Royals FC will try to get back on track Saturday, July 18, when it hosts Orlando Pride at America First Field. The Royals enter the matchup looking to recover from a 3-1 loss to Gotham FC last Friday, a result that extended a brief stretch without a win or a draw after the break.
That loss came at home and included a welcome sight for Utah, as Miyabi, Mina Tanaka and Paige Cronin all returned to the pitch. The Royals also got their lone goal from Cece Delzer, who scored in the 23rd minute.
For Utah, the bigger picture is a mixed one. The club was winless in its first two matches of the 2026 NWSL campaign, but it had earned points in its last 10 matches before the break. That earlier run showed the Royals can steady themselves, and head coach Jimmy Coenraats said he is far from panicked about the squad’s response to the recent losing stretch.
Why the return of key players matters
The returns of Miyabi, Mina Tanaka and Paige Cronin give Utah more options as it prepares for Orlando Pride. Getting those players back should help with both depth and rhythm, especially after the Royals had to navigate a difficult result against Gotham FC. With reinforcements available again, Utah will look to make better use of its home field and avoid another result that leaves it chasing momentum.
This matchup also carries some historical context. In 2024, after the Royals returned to Utah, they faced Orlando Pride four times without earning a full 3-point result. That history does not decide Saturday’s game, but it does add another layer to a meeting that already feels important for Utah’s attempt to reset.
Coenraats’ message has been simple: the season is still young enough for the Royals to bounce back. Saturday’s home game offers the next chance to prove it.
