Sat, 7 Nov, 2026, 12:04 pm
Reported by Utah Royals FC
Utah Royals FC wins its first playoff match in club history 1-0 away at Snapdragon Stadium against second seeded San Diego Wave. Mexican forward, Kiana Palacios, scored the game winning goal in the 30th minute as the Royals advanced to the next round.
The match started with the Wave on the front foot as San Diego built up through the right side before Gia Corley was able to get the cross into the six-yard box to a wide open header for Melanie Barcenas. Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made an incredible early reaction save to deny the home team an early lead. McGlynn was forced into making another tremendous save in the ninth minute, using a strong left hand to keep the ball from finding the back of the net. She ended the first half by making a difficult save with a right hand to push the ball over the crossbar after a threatening-looking cross that was potentially dropping into the net.
The best chance in the second half came off a corner kick from San Diego that saw the ball drop to the feet of Ludmila inside the penalty area for a shot that forced McGlynn into making a diving save to her right. With less than 15 minutes to go in regular time, the Wave threatened to equalize through a run from Corley down the left side of the pitch who sent in a mishit cross that forced McGlynn into a diving save to keep the ball out of the net.
