The Utah Royals FC earned a hard-fought 2-1 road victory against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at Inter.Co Stadium, marking the club's first-ever sweep against the Pride. The win, which snapped a two-game losing streak for the Royals, also represented the first time during the 2026 season that the team won a match after trailing at halftime.
Second Half Comeback
The Orlando Pride opened the scoring in the 44th minute when Barbra Banda received a through ball from Summer Yates. Banda used her speed to outpace a defender and touch the ball around the goalkeeper before scoring, sending the Royals into the locker room trailing 1-0.
Utah responded five minutes into the second half when Cloé Lacasse scored her seventh goal of the season. The equalizer began with a through ball from Cece Delzer to Kiana Palacios, who delivered a weighted cross into the box for Lacasse to net with a one-touch shot. This performance tied Lacasse for the NWSL single-season assist record with 10, matching Croix Bethune of the Kansas City Current from 2024 and Tobin Heath from 2016.
Cronin Secures the Win
The Royals secured the lead in the 70th minute through a goal by captain Paige Cronin. Lacasse, who had already recorded an assist on the night, used footwork to beat a defender and sent a pass to the top of the box for Cronin, who responded with a one-touch left-footed shot.
This second goal of the season for Cronin follows her historic first goal on April 26, when she scored in under a minute during a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Reign. The victory moved the Royals to a 12-7-3 record with 39 points, placing them second in the NWSL.
Tactical Shifts and Records
The victory comes after Utah suffered a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Wave on Friday, Aug. 25. To prepare for the Orlando match, Utah Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets implemented three personnel changes to the starting lineup, including moving defender Tatumn Milazzo into the center of the defense and starting Kiana Palacios.
Lacasse has become a central figure for the Royals' playoff push, leading the NWSL in chances created with seven goals and 10 assists. She has also become the first player in the league to record assists in three consecutive matches.
Upcoming Home Match
The Utah Royals will return to the Wasatch Front on Friday, Sept. 4, to host the expansion side Boston Legacy FC at America First Field. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT.
