The Royals secured a monumental 1-0 victory over No. 2 seed San Diego in Utah's first-ever playoff match at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday evening to advance to the 2026 NWSL semifinals as URFC continues to make history this season.
The win was due in part to a defensive masterclass put on by Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn who made multiple critical saves throughout the match and utilized her cohesive back line to prevent the home side from ever finding the net.
Utah Royals Mexican forward Kiana Palacios scored the lone goal of the match in the 30th minute with a gorgeous left-footed shot into the side netting, marking the Royal's first playoff goal in club history. Palacios' goal also marked the first time Utah has scored against the Wave on the road and ended a 301-minute scoring drought for Utah, and was ultimately the game-winner in the 1-0 victory over the Wave.
With the victory, the Royals advance to the 2026 NWSL semifinals to await the winner between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns.
"It takes every single person on this team to win, and we rely on everyone … The way that we are leaning on each other is phenomenal, and that's the message throughout this championship" — Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn
"You're always playing for a reason. and I think we found a reason within ourselves as a group. One of our key things is being together and the club has done a good job, even in terms of marketing as well, making sure that's the message, and, obviously, when you see it so many times online, it becomes a thing in the locker room." — Royals head coach Jimmy Coenraets
Utah Royals' Head coach Jimmy Coenraets made no changes to the starting lineup from last Sunday's 0-2 loss to Gotham FC, instead relying on his ever-consistent squad to outperform the Wave. The pace of the match was set early with both sides emerging aggressive. McGlynn came up with her first critical save of the night in the sixth minute when San Diego saw its chance. the goalkeeper blocked a point blank header and prevented the home side from finding the net early in the first half. Minutes later, she punched away another on her way to a clean sheet.
The Royals attempted multiple shots on goal that they were ultimately unable to convert, but were a premonition for what was to come. In the 13th minute, Utah saw their first opportunity when newly acquired midfielder Jameese Joseph took the ball up the middle, finding Utah Royals captain Paige Cronin who sent the ball to Cloè Lacasse on the left, the Canadian international blasted an attempt that went over. Shortly after, Spanish defender Nuria Rábano delivered the ball again to Cronin, who rocketed a shot that was parried away by the Wave's goalkeeper in the 16th minute.
San Diego responded with an effort of their own in the 17th minute that led to a triple block by the Royals. The play lured out McGlynn out of the net to deflect a shot, leaving the goal open to a rebound. Intuitively, Utah's three-time Ironwoman Kate Del Fava was there to head the effort away, the ball once again ricocheted toward the net and Cronin met it first to clear the goal.
Utah's hard work finally paid off in the 30th minute when Joseph sent the ball to Lacasse on the left, who delivered it to Palacios in the middle. Palacios took a touch before rocketing a left-footed shot into the side netting, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead and notching URFC's first playoff goal in club history.
Entering the second half, McGlynn once again made another save in the 61st minute when the ball slipped through a Royals defender. The goalkeeper dropped to the ground to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. McGlynn made her fourth incredible save of the night, tipping an attempt over the crossbar in the 78th minute, in turn securing a clean sheet for the Royals' first playoff match in club history and a 1-0 win over the Wave to send the club to their first NWSL semifinals.
The Royals now advance to the semifinals round of the NWSL playoffs, taking on the winner of the Portland Thorns FC and the Washington Spirit (NWSL quarterfinal) which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8.
The Royals celebrate their first playoff win in club history. | Ava Nash
Mandy McGlynn (1) stretches to deflect a shot on goal. | Ava Nash
Kate Del Fava (8) clears the ball during the match. | Ava Nash
Fans at a watch party at America First Field celebrate the Royals' win. | Utah Royals FC
