Utah Royals split points with Angel City, stay unbeaten in 4 with 1-1 draw
Claudia Zornoza scored in the first half to help the Royals to their fourth consecutive match without a loss in a 1-1 draw with Angel City FC in Los Angeles.
Having already been eliminated from the NWSL Playoffs with results that were out of their control Saturday, Sunday’s road finale was only played for pride from Utah Royals FC.
Pride was good enough. The Royals have been playing with pride for more than three months.
Claudia Zornoza scored in the first half to help the Royals to their fourth consecutive match without a loss in a 1-1 draw with Angel City FC in Los Angeles.
“I just think that’s our identity,” Utah defender Madison Pogarch said after the match. “That’s the team we want to be, no matter if our backs are against the wall or not.
“In the huddle (before the game), I saiid, there’s probably going to be a lot of people who say we have nothing to play for today,” she added. “But they didn’t see our team for those six weeks that we were at the bottom, or midway through the season when Jimmy came in and we were out there for 5-6 hours, running, working, basically in second preseason. We’ve been all season playing for something bigger, all season playing for something that is going to be best for future.
“We’ve been playing for that little girl who loves to see those stadiums full, who loves to see celebrities and fans cheering. I think that was a big driving force for me today: Even with the injuries we had, you can’t really take a game off. I think that was big going into today … We can’t take a moment of this game for granted. It so easily slips away. And if we want to be the team we want to be next season, then these last two games are really important. That was really important, and for me as well.”
Zornoza gave the Royals an early advantage, striking a stunning free kick in the 21st minute that pinged straight into the back of the net.
The Royals out-shot Angel City 10-4 in the first half, including 4-1 in shots on target to take the lead into the locker room.
But even with a 1-0 lead, the Royals weren’t immune from heartbreak.
Cloé Lacasse, who scored the first hat trick in Utah Royals history a week ago in a 3-0 win over Seattle, had to be helped off around the 35th minute. The Canadian international couldn’t put any weight on her lower leg, and looked to be in extreme pain as she was ushered from the game with the help of a stretcher and team medical staff.
Sydney Leroux equalized in the 57th minute, collecting a loose ball after Mandy Haught punch-saved a corner kick and scoring on a half-volley from herself for Angel City.
“I think that’s the next level to our game: being able to put games like that away,” Pogarch said.
DiDi Haračić made nine saves to keep the result the rest of the way for Angel City, as the two sides already eliminated from playoff contention split the points in the regular-season finale in Southern California.
But if pride is all it is playing for anymore, Utah has been representing pride since the midseason break. And they’ll keep playing for pride — like they have for three months — for two more weeks.
The Royals had won three in a row before Sunday’s draw, and are 5-3-1 since returning from the midsummer break and the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup on Aug. 23 to improve to 7-14-5 for 26 points and 10th place in the league with one match remaining.
The Royals will wrap up the season Friday, Nov. 1 against Gotham FC in “Fan Appreciation Night” in Sandy, Utah.
“What these players are playing for, everyone saw the result of Bay yesterday knowing that we weren’t able to reach the playoffs anymore. But I think our message before the game was that they had to look at themselves three months ago, knowing how they’ve improved,” said URFC interim manager Jimmy Coenraets after the match. “That’s what they had to play for, to make sure everyone sees us and the way we are right now and doesn’t compare with us from 3-4 months ago.
“We are a team that is looking forward, and we know that great things are coming our way if we stick to the plan and we keep on working hard. I think at this point, we’re pretty much playing for the future, making sure everyone sees what we are capable of doing. I think those players that were on the pitch today … They’re playing with a lot of confidence, with a big heart, and they know why they are playing. Let’s define winning; it’s not only collective, but also an individual sport. And if we find the right way to win for each individual, then we’ll take the right steps. I think that’s what we’re doing at the minute.”
