Utah Royals FC battled back to net a goal in the last minute of play, earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Lynn Family Stadium Saturday afternoon after conceding late in the first half.
The Royals entered the afternoon road match with energy, finding tangible opportunities up the pitch within the first 20 minutes in hopes of taking an early lead to beat Racing Louisville on the road, a feat neither side has accomplished since the Royals return to Utah in 2024 with the respective home side coming out on top in each of the two squads' last five matches.
Veteran playmaker Paige Cronin made her return to the pitch as a halftime substitute, eligible for the first time Saturday since the one-game suspension for the red card she received in the loss to Angel City FC. Cronin immediately brought energy up the right-side of the pitch to help the visitors earn tangible opportunities for the equalizer.
The exciting road battle came down to the final minute as Utah native Brecken Mozingo salvaged a point for the Royals, netting a stoppage time screamer in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time. The score marked her second of the 2026 season and sixth of her professional career.
"Honestly, Brecken is so clinical. That is a big thing she brings, in every single training she will put that shot away," said Cronin. "So as soon as she had it, I was like, 'that's the person we want on top of the box,' and just credit to her for just smacking it. It was so cool." - URFC Veteran Paige Cronin
While the Royals maintained control throughout much of the beginning minutes of the match, the home side nearly took the lead with two chances just moments apart in the 25th minute. Following a corner kick, it was Japanese star and URFC leading scorer Mina Tanaka who impressively stepped up with a goal-line header to keep the home side off the score sheet then, veteran keeper Mandy McGlynn followed suit just seconds later, stopping a head-on shot by Louisville's Emma Sears to deny the home side the opening goal.
In the 42nd minute Racing Louisville converted a penalty following VAR review for a foul in the box to take a 1-0 lead. While the Royals continued to battle throughout the remainder of the first half and the added four minutes of stoppage time by putting relentless pressure on the defense in hopes of the equalizer, the visitors entered the halftime break down by one.
With Cronin on the pitch to begin the second half the Royals came out with energy, working to move the ball up the pitch ultimately earning three early chances on goal by both Tanaka and Spanish defender Nuria Rábano. In the 72nd minute, recently acquired forward Jameese Joseph earned one of the best looks on goal for Utah in just her fourth match with the squad.
The consistent pressure by the visitors paid off in the final minute of stoppage time as Cronin showcased speed and impressive footwork to keep the ball from fully crossing over the goal-line and setting up Mozingo who settled the ball with her body before ripping a powerful shot into the back of the net to secure an ever-important point for the visitors just moments before the final whistle.
The Royals will have a break in play for the FIFA October International Window next week before returning to the Wasatch Front on Saturday, Oct. 17, welcoming the Kansas City Current to America First Field. Kickoff for the match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. MDT and tickets are available for purchase at rsl.com.
Forward Kiana Palacios (21) surveys the pitch as she brings the ball up the field in the first half of play. | Ava Nash
Cloé Lacasse (24) battles to outpace her opponent and bring the ball up the pitch. | Ava Nash
The Utah Royals squad come together in celebration after working to salvage a point on the road with the late score. | Ava Nash
Japanese midfielder Mina Tanaka (11) battles with her defender to earn possession in the highly contested match. | Ava Nash
