Sky Blue FC (0-9-3, 3 points) will return to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) action on Saturday, playing the final match of a three-game road swing against Utah Royals FC (4-3-6, 18 points) at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The match-up gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET, and fans can watch the action live via Go90 and NWSLsoccer.com (international).
Saturday night marks the first trip for Sky Blue FC to Rio Tinto Stadium, and it stands as just the second all-time meeting between the two clubs. In their first encounter, the teams played on June 2 at Yurcak Field, with Utah Royals FC earning a quick 1-0 advantage when Diana Matheson finished a Gunnhildur Jonsdottir ball in the 3rd minute. The New Jersey side responded quickly to that go-ahead tally, as Katie Johnson hooked up Shea Groom just seven minutes later to make it a 1-1 contest. That score line remained all the way until the 85th minute when a Sky Blue FC own goal gave Utah Royals FC a 2-1 victory.
Sky Blue FC enters this evening after earning a result in two of its past three matches. Following a 0-0 home draw with the Washington Spirit, the team suffered a 3-2 loss against the Orlando Pride on an 83rd minute game-winner by Rachel Hill at Orlando City Stadium. Most recently, Sky Blue FC claimed a 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns FC on Wednesday night at Providence Park. Over the course of the 2018 NWSL season, Sky Blue FC has suffered nine losses, but eight of those nine defeats have come by a single goal. Four of those matches have seen the opposition score the game-winner in the 79th minute or later, with a fifth result being decided by a converted penalty kick.
Utah Royals FC was last in action this past Wednesday night when it drew with Seattle Reign FC at Rio Tinto Stadium, 0-0. A major addition to the club since the last time Sky Blue FC played them earlier this month is forward Christen Press, who arrived in Utah via a three-team trade on Monday.
Following this weekend, Sky Blue FC will return home to Yurcak Field on July 7 to host the Chicago Red Stars. Tickets for that match, which will be Kids Club Night, are available now online or by calling 888-SBFC-TIX (888-723-2849). The team is also offering a special Hat Trick Package where fans can save 25% off all three July home matches.
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