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NWSL Utah Royals FC

Utah Royals FC Open NWSL Challenge Cup Venture Tuesday against Houston Dash

June 29, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Utah Royals FC News Release


SANDY, Utah - Utah Royals FC is set to play its first match in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret on Tuesday, June 30 against the Houston Dash. The match will kick off at 10:30a MT at Zions Bank Stadium and will be streamed live on the CBS All-Access Platform and broadcast locally on the radio on ESPN700.

The match will mark the first in charge for Head Coach Craig Harrington after the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, paving the way for the tournament to be held in Utah. Additionally, the National Women's Soccer League was the first professional sports league to return to play since the sports world was put on hold in March. The NWSL Challenge Cup kicked off on June 27 at Zions Bank Stadium. Harrington leads the 28-player group into its first group stage match as the club hosts the tournament between the vaunted Zions Bank Real Academy and Zions Bank Stadium and Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

Against Houston, URFC holds a narrow all-time advantage over the Dash, carrying a 3-2-1 (10 points) record since 2018. The two sides met in the final match of the 2019 regular season for both teams in a match that saw Utah walk away 2-1 victors at Rio Tinto Stadium.

How to Follow Utah Royals FC vs. Houston Dash - Tuesday, June 30, 2020

-Coverage Begins: 10:30 a.m. MT

-Local TV: N/A

-Digital Streaming: CBS All-Access

-English Radio: ESPN700 w/ Krista Blunk (play-by-play & color )

-Spanish TV: N/A

URFC sees 20 players from its 2019 roster return to the club for the tournament, led by veteran striker and 2019 team-golden boot winner Amy Rodriguez. She is joined by goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart as well as the defensive core of Rachel Corsie, Katie Bowen and Kelley O'Hara along the backline. In the midfield, URFC will see Vero Boquete return for her second season in Utah alongside Gunny Jonsdottir and Desiree Scott. Joining Rodriguez to spearhead the attack is Brittany Ratcliffe who returns to action after missing the 2019 season due to injury alongside newcomer Arielle Shipp.

URFC will be without forward Christen Press as she chose to opt out of the tournament.

New faces join the squad for the condensed 2020 season as 2020 NWSL Draft picks Tziarra King and Kate Del Fava look set to make their professional debuts in Utah. A two-sport athlete at Penn State University, Marissa Sheva will feature on the roster for URFC after spending the early part of the 2020 season in the Spanish second division with Deportivo Alavés. Aminata Diallo is expected to be available for selection during the NWSL Challenge Cup.

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