Washington Spirit visits Utah on Saturday for first ever matchup with Royals FC

Washington Spirit  |   May 3, 2018
Washington Spirit visits Utah on Saturday for first ever matchup with Royals FC Featured Image

Boyds,MD. – Saturday, April 28 2018: The Washington Spirit tied the Chicago Red Stars 1-1 in a NWSL match at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Washington Spirit (1-2-2, 5 pts) at Utah Royals FC (0-1-4, 4 pts)
2018 NWSL Regular Season
Rio Tinto Stadium
Saturday, May 5 – 9:00 p.m. ET
#UTAvWAS | Live Stream

Boyds, MD (May 4, 2018) – The Washington Spirit will visit NWSL newcomer Utah Royals FC on Saturday night for the first ever meeting between the clubs. Kickoff from Rio Tinto Stadium is set for 9 p.m. ET with a live stream available on go90.

Washington is coming off back-to-back 1-1 draws, earning a road point on April 20 against Portland Thorns FC, and another at home on April 28 against the Chicago Red Stars.

Washington’s attack, spearheaded by NWSL April Team of the Month selections Mallory Pugh and Francisca Ordega, has not been shutout in five games this season.

Pugh netted her second goal of the season and tallied an assist during three April matches, while Ordega enters the weekend on a three-game scoring streak. Washington’s attack enters the weekend tied for second in the NWSL with 23 shots on goal.

On the defensive side, two more Spirit players – goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe and center back Estelle Johnson – also earned spots on the NWSL Team of the Month for April, after limiting Portland and Chicago’s high-powered offenses to one goal each.

Bledsoe leads the NWSL with 30 saves entering the weekend, while Johnson leads the team with 40 clearances.

The Spirit will look to push their unbeaten streak to three games with a win on Saturday in Utah.

Royals FC has earned a point in four out of five games this season, behind a strong defensive unit. Led by U.S. international Becky Sauerbrunn, Utah’s defense has limited opposing offenses to just five goals in five games.

Johnson, Bledsoe and the rest of the Washington defense will be tasked with shutting down Royals FC forward Amy Rodriguez, who netted the first home goal in the club’s history over the weekend.

After Washington takes aim at its first road win of the season in Utah, the club will finish off its two-game stretch away from home next Saturday against the league-leading North Carolina Courage.

The Spirit will return to the Maryland Soccer for their next home game on Saturday, May 19 against Portland Thorns FC. [TICKETS]

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