Seattle Reign conclude their June road trip today with a visit to the Utah Royals at 2 PM Pacific. Similar to last week, the Reign are facing a team that is struggling in the standings, with the Royals now in last place and only having one win on the season. But similar to last week, this doesn’t mean the match will be easy.

Utah has, by a significant margin, the highest elevation stadium in the league (4,435 feet above sea level, with Kansas City being next closest at 760 ft), and the Royals have historically done well at home as visiting teams struggle with the thin air. Seattle is 7-2-3 all time against both iterations of the Royals and has scored 15 goals while conceding 11; that includes a 3-1-2 record in Utah.

Last weekend, the Reign clawed back two late goals to salvage a 2-2 draw in Chicago, while the Royals fell at home to Gotham, 3-0.

Keys to the game

• Score early
• Don’t get caught up on counters
• Play around Utah’s foul-heavy press

Notes

• Several players have already departed to prepare for the Euro tournament, which kicks off in 10 days. Jess Fishlock and Angharad James-Turner have joined Wales, while Ana-Maria Crnogorčević is with Switzerland. Lu Barnes also remains out with a leg injury picked up early in last week’s game at Chicago.
• After this weekend’s games, the Reign (and rest of NWSL) have an extended break while African, European, and South American national teams take part in major continental tournaments. Seattle’s next scheduled game is a friendly at Lumen Field against Urawa Red Diamonds on July 20, and their next league match is on August 1.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lauren Barnes (leg), Ryanne Brown (SEI – knee), Veronica Latsko (SEI – lower leg), Cassie Miller (D-45 - leg)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Ana-Maria Crnogorčević (SUI), Jess Fishlock (WAL), Angharad James-Turner (WAL)

Royals: OUT: Cloe Lacasse (SEI – knee), Olivia Griffitts (maternity leave), Tatumn Milazzo (SEI – knee), Macey Fraser (knee), Alex Loera (SEI – knee), Cece Kizer (hamstring)

Recent form

Reign: LWLWD (5-4-3, +1 GD; 6th place)
Royals: LDLLL (1-9-2, -15 GD; 14th place)

Officials

REF: Thomas Snyder; AR1: Katarzyna Wasiak; AR2: Cameron Siler; 4TH: Rachel Swett; VAR: Brad Jensen; AVAR: Alicia Messer

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Saturday, June 21, 2 PM PT

Venue: America First Field, Sandy, Utah

Broadcast: NWSL+ / Paramount+ (global; Matt Pedersen & Kacey White), Fox 13+ (Seattle area; Steve Schlanger, Laura Schott & Kelyn Rowe)

Is this game available to stream for free in the US? Yes (via NWSL+ or Fox Local app)

Lineups

Highlights

6’ - Ji So-yun opens the scoring early! 1-0 Seattle

16’ - Dahlien doubles the Reign lead on a ball from Ji! 2-0 Seattle

30’ - Utah gers one back as Bianca St. Georges is first to a rebound off the post. 2-1 Seattle

66’ - Emeri Adames with a beautiful finish off another assist from Ji! 3-1 Seattle

90’+1 - Adames with a brace off a penalty after Nérilia Mondésir is taken down in the box! 4-1 Seattle

Join the discussion in our Discord gamethread (Supporter tier and above), or in the comments below.

This is Seattle Reign at Utah Royals; watch with us