The opening match of the 2017 United Women’s Soccer for Real Salt Lake Women had almost everything you could want from a soccer match. The weather at kickoff was sunny and clear with a slight breeze, the field at Utah Valley University was in great condition, and RSL came out strong but ended up on the wrong side of the 2-0 final score against So Cal Crush.
The ladies in Claret-and-Cobalt (okay, they were wearing their black kits) came out strong to start the match, controlling possession through the first 10 minutes. The passing wasn’t as sharp as it could have been to start, but the defense was well organized by keeper Becca Ritchie and team co-captain Natalie Norris in the center, so most giveaways were quickly dealt with.