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SANDY \u2014 The Utah Royals looked for momentum of 10,014 home fans and the return from the month-long NWSL international break<\/a> to snap a short winless skid Friday night.<\/p>\n Instead, Esther Gonzalez extended the top-flight squad\u2019s misfortunes.<\/p>\n Gonzalez had a brace, and Tierna Davidson added another goal as Gotham FC took all 3 points with a 3-1 win over Utah Royals FC in the first home match since the break<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cece Delzer scored Utah\u2019s lone goal in the come-from-ahead loss that stretched the Royals\u2019 winless skid to three-straight dating back to May 23.<\/p>\n \u201cThese moments are challenging,\u201d said Utah forward Clo\u00e9 Lacasse after the loss, the club\u2019s first at home since a 2-1 setback March 22 to San Diego Wave FC. \u201cBut it\u2019s also going to make us stronger, and we have to learn from them fast.\u201d<\/p>\n Delzer opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, taking a pass from Kiana Palacios out of the midfield and racing upfield for her second goal in as many matches.<\/p>\n But the lead didn\u2019t last long.<\/p>\n Less than a minute later, Nuria R\u00e1bano was whistled for a foul in the box and Gonzalez stepped up to the spot to convert the equalizer in the 26th minute.<\/p>\n Davidson gave Gotham the lead in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, when the center back pushed forward to redirect a corner kick with one touch that gave the New York\/New Jersey side a 2-1 halftime advantage.<\/p>\n Gonzalez added another in the 70th minute, bullying her way into the box before putting away a third past Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn \u2014 her former teammate with whom she won a championship in 2023 before the rising U.S. international signed with the Royals.<\/p>\n The second of the match was Gonzalez\u2019s 28th regular-season goal with the franchise, tied for the most in Gotham FC history with Sam Kerr \u2014 the Australian striker who watched the game from a suite above America First Field after a return to the NWSL from Chelsea in England<\/a>.<\/p>\n Esther Gonz\u00e1lez\u2019s brace led the charge for a @GothamFC<\/a> victory!<\/p>\n Utah Royals FC vs. Gotham FC Highlights presented by @Nationwide<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lwi42zYxig<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 National Women\u2019s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n During a franchise-record 10-match unbeaten run<\/a> that vaulted Utah towards the top of the 16-team NWSL table, the Royals conceded just four goals with two more in the final match before the break, a 2-2 draw at Portland.<\/p>\n Since the return, Utah has conceded six goals in two matches and eight since its last shutout May 10 at Bay FC. That includes another 3-2 loss to the Chicago Stars<\/a> in the first match after the break.<\/p>\n Personnel changes along the back line, including the transfer of Janni Thomsen to London City Lionesses<\/a> in England and an injury to center back Kaleigh Riehl, haven\u2019t benefitted a back line led by iron woman Kate Del Fava<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rookie defender Kameron Simmonds earned just her third start of the season Friday, with two additional changes in the midfield in Madison Hammond and the return of talisman Mina Tanaka.<\/p>\n But the changes go beyond one or two players. <\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s where we as a coaching staff have to look at ourselves,\u201d head coach Jimmy Coenraets<\/a> said. \u201cHave we spent enough time with potential subs, with rotations in the back line? At one point in the season, we have to rotate and do different stuff.<\/p>\n \u201cI think defensively, we looked OK until the 60-70th minute and then gaps were there \u2026\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s just giving time and making sure that we get the pieces right.\u201d<\/p>\n Utah Royals FC return to Sandy to host the Orlando Pride on Saturday, July 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. MT on ION.<\/p>\n Tickets are available at utahroyals.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nUtah Royals start strong but Gotham responds better<\/h3>\n
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Defensive rotations adapting to shifting back line<\/h3>\n
Next up<\/h3>\n