Utah Royals escape defeat against Seattle Reign

At Lumen Field, the Seattle Reign and Utah Royals FC played out a game of twists and turns. The Reign, despite an absolute dominance at the start, had to fight back in the final minutes to earn a 1-1 draw against the Royals. However, the result still demonstrates the delicate situation of both teams in the NWSL table.

From the first whistle, the Reign showed who was boss. With an impressive 75.6% possession in the first 15 minutes, the Seattle side seemed destined for a comfortable victory. The passes flowed, the moves unfolded with precision, and the eight shots on goal in the first half tested the reflexes of Utah goalkeeper Mandy Haught, who was outstanding in keeping the score to zero. At the other end, Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey also showed her service by saving a dangerous shot from Brecken Mozingo in the 36th minute. Before the break, Paige Monaghan almost opened the scoring for Utah, hitting the post in stoppage time. The first half ended goalless, but with the Reign clearly superior.

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The second half brought a turn of events that nobody expected. In the 50th minute, a cross from Tziarra King into the Utah box looked promising, but Jess Fishlock's goal was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul. With the score still level, the Utah Royals seized the opportunity. In the 67th minute, Ally Sentnor, the young star and captain of the US U-20 team, showed why she is a strong candidate for NWSL Rookie of the Year. In an impressive solo move, Sentnor stole the ball from Alana Cook, dribbled with precision into the box and finished with a crisp shot into the top right corner, opening the scoring for the Royals.

The lead was short-lived, however. The Reign, determined not to leave the field defeated, pressed until the end. In the 75th minute, substitute Veronica Latsko took advantage of a deflection inside the box to tie the game with a precise volley. It was a relief for the Seattle team, who despite all their efforts, are still struggling to climb out of the bottom of the league.

For the Utah Royals, the draw represented a point earned with a lot of sweat and determination, especially considering the difficult context of the season. Interim coach Jimmy Coenraets, in his first game in charge, saw his team show a solid defense, led by Mandy Haught and a robust defensive line made up of Kate Del Fava, Ana Tejada, Zoe Burns and Madison Pogarch. Even so, the frustration at not being able to hold on for the win was evident.

Sentnor's performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. With her third goal of the season and three assists, she established herself as the team's top scorer and the main creator of chances. Her ability to put pressure on the opposing defense and finish with precision makes her a key part of Utah's scheme.

Mandy Haught also deserves an honorable mention. Her five saves during the match were crucial in keeping the Royals in the game. Especially in the final minutes, Haught made two miraculous saves that secured the valuable point for the visiting team. However, despite their individual efforts, the draw wasn't enough to lift either team out of their uncomfortable position at the bottom of the table.

This result leaves both the Reign and the Royals in a delicate situation. Both teams need urgent wins to avoid finishing the season at the bottom of the NWSL. The international break could be an opportunity for both to reflect, regroup and come back in full force for the final stretch of the season. The challenge is great, but the teams' ability to overcome it will be put to the test in the coming games.