The Utah Royals FC secured a victory over the Portland Thorns on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, fueled by four second-half goals to overcome the opposition. The win comes as the Royals continue their 2026 NWSL campaign, which features a 30-match regular season schedule including 15 home and 15 away matches.
Season Progression and Schedule
The victory on Aug. 2 represents a key milestone in the Royals' season, a campaign that officially kicked off on March 14, 2026, with a road match against the 2025 NWSL Shield Winners, the Kansas City Current, at CPKC Stadium. That season opener was televised nationally on ION, marking the start of a schedule that includes high-profile matchups against teams like the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC.
As the season progressed, the Royals have faced various challenges, including a midseason CBA-mandated break that spanned from June 8 to June 14, 2026. Following that break, the club resumed regular season play with a trip to Chicago to face the Chicago Stars FC at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
Roster Composition and Additions
The 2026 roster, assembled under the direction of Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets, features a mix of returning talent and new international additions. The club entered the season with 22 contracted players and nine non-roster invitees, totaling 31 players during the preseason. Key roster movements included the addition of Japanese players Narumi Miura, who moved from the Washington Spirit, and Miyabi Moriya, who joined from Angel City FC.
Other notable additions to the 2026 squad include Madison Hammond, signed through 2027, and Utah native Courtney Brown, who returned to her home state after being drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2024. The roster also includes players such as Cloé Lacasse, Paige Cronin, Brecken Mozingo, Mina Tanaka, KK Ream, Lara Prašnikar, and Cece Delzer.
Preseason and Training Details
The Royals' preseason preparations began on Jan. 14, 2026, with players reporting to the Zions Bank Training Facility for medical and fitness testing. The preseason schedule included a trip to Santa Barbara in February to face 2024 expansion side Bay FC, and a appearance at the Coachella Valley Invitational against 2026 NWSL debutants Denver Summit FC on Feb. 15.
Following their preseason, the team participated in NWSL Media Day in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. The club also faced Angel City FC in Los Angeles at the end of February and concluded preseason play against the USL W League side, Spokane Zephyr FC, on March 6.
Key Match Highlights
Throughout the 2026 season, the Royals have engaged in several high-stakes matches. On May 6, they secured a 2-0 victory against the Houston Dash, with Kaleigh Riehl scoring her first goal since 2022. On May 17, a 3-2 home victory against Racing Louisville saw Mina Tanaka win Goal of the Week. The team also achieved a 2-1 victory against Portland Thorns on May 30, where KK Ream became the youngest ever goalscorer in NWSL history.
In July, the Royals faced a series of home matches at America First Field, including a match against Gotham FC on July 10 and Orlando Pride on July 18. On July 25, the team secured a draw against the North Carolina Courage after a 90+4 minute goal by captain Paige Cronin. The team also recorded an eight-match unbeaten streak during the previous 2025 season, running from August to October.
Broadcasting and Accessibility
The 2026 NWSL season is structured to include 30 regular-season matches. The schedule is designed with significant broadcast availability, with 14 matches slated for national broadcast on ION, Amazon Prime Video, CBS, or ESPN. Additionally, 10 matches are scheduled to air locally on KMYU, providing coverage across the Utah DMA.
For fans unable to watch through traditional broadcast channels, the NWSL offers streaming options via Paramount+, the ESPN App, the Disney+ app, and Prime Video for Friday night matches. NWSL+ provides free streaming for matches, and international fans can access live content through the NWSL+ platform.
Upcoming Fixtures
As the 2026 season continues, the Utah Royals FC will face Denver Summit FC on Aug. 8 at Centennial Stadium, marking their first visit to the 2026 NWSL debutants. The regular season will eventually conclude with a Decision Day match against the reigning champions, Gotham FC, at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
