SANDY — Mandy McGlynn was making the rounds after collecting a one-save shutout in the Utah Royals’ regular-season home finale Friday night when she saw a couple of fans watching another game nearly 800 miles away in Portland.
The Thorns had just gone up, 1-0 on North Carolina, a result that — combined with the Royals’ scoreless draw with Seattle — would clinch a first-of-its-kind NWSL Playoff berth for the club.
“We’re staying until the game’s over,” one fan said to her.
“You’re awesome,” she answered back, in between signing gloves, shirts and autographs and taking photos with fans around the stadium.
None of them went home disappointed, even if their travel was delayed 30 minutes or so.
Marie Müller’s 60th-minute rip didn’t just clinch a postseason berth for Portland, but also Utah and Kansas City as the NWSL’s playoff picture nearly came into shape Friday night a week before Decision Day.
With one match remaining, only one playoff berth remains for either Seattle Reign, North Carolina Courage or Denver Summit.
McGlynn watched the final moments with several of her Royals (14-5-10, 47 points) teammates in the 100 Lions’ Club under the stadium, where head coach Jimmy Coenraets said some 27 coaches gathered around a television and yelled instructions to the Thorns players, coaches and staff over 700 miles away.
“See? It’s not that easy,” he joked, with a laugh.
The Royals (14-5-10, 47 points) will travel to league-leading Gotham FC in the regular-season finale. A win or tie can go a long way toward earning a home playoff game.
But the hardest part is over. After 5 1/2 seasons in the NWSL split over two distinct generations and even more groups of owners, Utah was bound for the postseason.
They aren’t done yet — at least, they don’t want to be. But Coenraets admitted he was able to breathe a deep sigh of relief once the full-time whistle was blown in Portland.
So were a lot of others in Salt Lake City — players, coaches, fans and members of the staff, several of whom grew up in Utah’s capital city.
“I think this club means a lot to a lot of people,” Coenraets said.
“I don’t think it was on anyone’s bingo card,” he added. “There were people picking us last or second-to-last in the league … Clinching today is exactly what you want.”
Utah had chances, four of them on frame even against the Reign (13-5-11, 44 points). There were other frustrations from the night, including a certain uncalled hair pull by a certain retiring legend for which Royals fans will feel hard done.
But mostly, there were missed opportunities as the Royals’ goal-less skid stretched beyond 200 minutes at home through the regular-season finale.
The Royals entered Friday night’s match against Seattle — led by former Utah manager Laura Harvey — with a shot at history: win, and the Utah side would clinch an NWSL playoff berth for the first time in the team’s staggered history dating back to the 2018 season (and includes the past three seasons since returning from NWSL hiatus in 2024).
A draw would also suffice, but the Utah side would need some help from friends in the Pacific Northwest.
Done, and done.
Less than an hour after the final whistle — following Portland’s 1-0 win over North Carolina, to be exact, Utah got its wish: For the first time in franchise history, the Royals were postseason-bound.
“We wanted to clinch, and we knew this was an opportunity to clinch,” said Courtney Brown, the Utah native who started in midfield amid the continued absence of talisman Mina Tanaka. “I think that was feeding our energy.
“We really wanted to do that, and it’s been a goal of the club’s all season,” she added. “We definitely felt support from the supporters feeding into it, too. It was awesome.”
The team knew what was at stake. Coenraets didn’t bring it up before the game; truth is, he didn’t have to.
But the Reign were fighting for their playoff lives, too. They didn’t make it easy, either; not at all.
Utah out-shot the visitors 7-3 in the first half, including the only two shots on target. But Claudia Dickey made an unreal save on Ana Tejada’s rip in the 42nd minute, and the the Reign held firm despite just a single shot on target to keep alive their own postseason hopes.
The Royals will kick off NWSL Decision Day next Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. MT. Gotham FC (16-7-5, 55 points) may need a result in that one, pending the outcome of Sunday’s match against postseason-eliminated Orlando.
In other words, Utah has clinched — but still has plenty for which to play.
“I love those kinds of games,” Coenraets said.
Photographer Derick Fox was at the game for Salt City Soccer. Here’s a sample of his photos; follow him on Instagram for more, and don’t be afraid to leave a tip on Venmo if you feel so inclined.
