Seattle Reign make their final road trip of the regular season to visit the Utah Royals tonight in a game with big playoff implications for both sides. Utah sits only three points ahead of the Reign with two games to go, but they also hold the key tiebreakers at the moment (goal differential and goals scored).

Both teams have an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot tonight. The Reign would get there with a win of their own along with a Thorns win over North Carolina, while the Royals would clinch if either they win or Portland wins. Final seeding will come down to decision day regardless of results today, and Seattle can not be eliminated from contention even with a loss.

The Reign are 9-3-3 all time against Utah, including a 4-1-2 record on the road. Seattle has scored 21 goals and conceded 16 in the series. The two sides met in Seattle in late April, where the Reign were trounced at home by a 3-0 score. Paige Cronin opened the scoring in the first minute of play, and Utah never looked back, with Narumi Miura doubling the lead in the 7th minute and Cloé Lacasse adding another in first-half stoppage time.

Last weekend the Reign earned a 3-1 win in Chicago, while the Royals suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Kansas City, their third loss in their last four home games.

Keys to the game

Be alert from the opening whistle
Capitalize on set pieces
Break out of the press quickly

Notes

Similar to their trip to Denver last month, the Reign have opted to spend as little time at altitude as possible based on research showing significant performance impacts are not felt until at least 48 hours after arrival. The team flew to Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoon.
Maddie Mercado’s brace last weekend brought her to 11 career goals for the Reign, moving her into 9th all-time for the club. She is two goals behind Jordyn Huitema for the 8th spot.

Injuries, absences, suspensions

Reign: OUT: Lynn Biyendolo (Maternity Leave), Maddie Dahlien (Knee - SEI)

Royals: OUT: Alex Loera (Knee - SEI), KK Ream (Knee - SEI), Mina Tanaka (Hamstring)

Recent form

Reign: LLWLW (13-11-4, +3 GD; 8th place)
Royals: WLWDL (14-10-4, +7 GD; 6th place)

Officials

REF: Alexandra Billeter; AR1: Tiffini Turpin; AR2: Christian Clerc; 4TH: Killian Richardson; VAR: Matthew Corrigan; AVAR: Kevin Huet

How to Watch

Match date/kickoff time: Friday, October 23rd, 6:30 PM PT

Venue: America First Field, Sandy, Utah

Broadcast: FOX 13+ (Seattle area; Steve Schalger, Laura Schott & Kelyn Rowe), NWSL+ (JP Dellacamera & Lianne Sanderson)

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

Lineups

Tonight's starting squad in Utah ⚔️ #UTAvSEA Lineup Notes 📝 rgnfc.com/4jzc3Ux

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— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc.com) 5:30 PM · Oct 23, 2026

Utah to be announced