Utah Royals FC went into this game needing a win. The away team saw the return Amy Rodriguez, Christen Press, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Katrina Gorry from international duty. Abby Smith recently came off the injury list and for the first time is on the bench while Nicole Barnhart started in goal. Houston Dash stood one point and one place above the Royals before the match and this game has major implications in a tight playoff race.
Both teams had a number of chances in the first half, but it was the Dash that broke through first. In the 41st minute, Latsko took a good strike that Barnhart was able to get a hand (or forearm to be exact) to, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.