This was the kind of game Utah Royals FC hoped to win, but like every competitive NWSL matchup, it was not going to be easy. Coming into their second game in four days, head coach Laura Harvey decided to make significant changes to her starting 11, including moving Christen Press and starting Erika Tymrak and Katie Stengel at forward alongside Amy Rodriguez and resting Becky Sauerbrunn and Katie Bowen.
Despite the chances in the first half, the game would remain scoreless going into halftime with Utah leading offensively with 7 shots, 2 on goal and 54% possession.