'Come on and show something': Utah Royals looking for spark in midst of 3-match losing skid
Reilyn Turner's 14th-minute goal help up as Portland took all 3 points from a visit to Utah with a 1-0 win Friday night over the Royals.
SANDY, Utah — Ana María Guzmán wasted little time making an impact in her Utah Royals FC debut Friday night.
Or at least, she tried not to.
Less than minutes after checking into the match as a 70th-minute sub, Guzmán beat her defender on the left wing, struck the ball surely with the inside of her boot, and sent a shot/cross that sailed just over Thorns goalkeeper Bella Bixby — and whizzed by the top of the crossbar for what otherwise would’ve been the second-half equalizer.
The Royals didn’t have many chances in Friday night’s 1-0 loss to Portland, the host’s third consecutive defeat as it struggles to find its first win of the year in NWSL play. But that one was as sure as any.
With a limited roster and seven players on the injury report, including a long-term injury to center back Kaleigh Riehl that will keep her out another 8-9 weeks, the Royals (0-3-1, 1 point) found themselves scraping to fill a lineup and re-introducing formerly injured players like Imani Dorsey, who also showed well in close to a half-hour of play.
Portland out-shot the Royals 3-1 on frame, including Reilyn Turner’s goal in the 14th minute that turned out to be the match-winner. But Utah found more of the ball late, finishing with 52% of possession that helped earn nine shots, 12 crosses and a pair of corner kicks.
The result is the result. But there were moments — just not enough to earn a win, or even a point, playing at home for the first time since March 15, and after an international break.
Guzmán is only with Utah on loan from FC Bayern Munich through the summer. But the time has come for the 19-year-old Colombian international to show what she can do.
In moments, it’s a lot. In others, not so much. But that’s the expectation of players that find themselves outside the Starting XI, whether for injury, technical play or other combinations.
“You’re a sub; you want to play,” Utah head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. “You have to come on and show something. There’s a reason why you’re not starting … but the measure we give them is, your game, 30 minutes. Show us why you should be playing.
“She came and showed some very good moments, switched with some bad moments when it comes with positioning and basic stuff that she knows. But the energy she brought was immense; she changed the game. She makes Claudia play better, too. Those are the types of connections we are looking for.”
Utah will be back home next week, hosting the Chicago Stars at 7:30 p.m. MT Friday for a second consecutive home match before hitting the road in three of the next four fixtures.
SUMMARY — UTA 0 : 1 POR
GOALS
13’ — POR: Reilyn Turner (Hina Sugita)
LINEUPS:
Utah Royals FC (4-2-3-1): Mandy McGlynn, Madison Pogarch, Ana Tejada, Kate Del Fava ©, Janni Thomsen (Macey Fraser, 78’), Mikayla Cluff (Dana Foederer, 46’), Claudia Zornoza, Ally Sentnor, Bianca St. Georges (Ana Maria Guzman, 72’) Aisha Solorzano (KK Ream, 46’), Brecken Mozingo (Imani Dorsey, 66‘)
Subs not used: Mia Justus, Lauren Flynn, Aria Nagai, Nuria Rábano
Portland Thorns (4-3-3): Bella Bixby; Jayden Perry, Sam Haitt, Reyna Reyes, Kaitlyn Torpey (Mallie Mckenzie, 69’); Sam Coffey ©, Hina Sugita (Jessie Fleming, 69’), Olivia Moultrie, Deyna Castellanos (Pietra Tordin, 84’); Caiya Hanks (Mimi Alidou, 59’), Rellyn Turner (Alexa Spaanstra, 84’)
Subs not used: Sophie Hirst, Payton Linnehan, Daiane Limeira Santos Silva, Morgan Messner
Stats Summary: UTA / POR
Possession: 52 / 48
Shots: 9 / 11
Shots on Goal: 1 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 18 / 10
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
POR: Caiya Hanks (Yellow Card, 9’)
UTA: Dana Foederer (Yellow Card, 62’)
UTA: Kate Del Fava (Yellow Card, 62’)
UTA: Jimmy Coenraets (Yellow Card, 86’)