Enemy Scouting Report: Utah Royals
With the season moving on quickly, the Houston Dash host the Utah Royals with another opportunity to climb the table.
The head-to-head record favors Utah, which has six wins compared to the Dash’s three. Given the Royals’ current form, it won’t be an easy task for Houston to change the course of that record.
Utah has been one of the season’s biggest surprises and is looking to make a run at the NWSL Shield. Sitting nine points off the top, the Royals can’t afford to drop points as they look to keep pace in the race.
Key Players
Cloe Lacasse
The former Arsenal and Canadian forward is having a season to remember and arguably the best campaign of her career. She has seven goals and 10 assists this season and has been in the NWSL MVP conversation because of her performances. As the Royals’ primary attacking threat, Lacasse has consistently made an impact. She may not be the quickest player on the field, but her soccer IQ and ability to read the game have made a major difference for Utah.
Mina Tanaka
The veteran Japanese forward has gotten off to one of her best starts to a season with the Royals. She has long been a focal point of Utah’s attack, creating chances and contributing goals, but she has taken her game to another level this year. With other players stepping up around her, Tanaka has had more opportunities to grow and make an impact. While she has been less productive in the passing game, her finishing and ability to deliver in the final third have been especially effective.
Nuria Rábano
The veteran Spanish defender has made her mark on the league and should be in contention for Defender of the Year. Rábano has been a rock at fullback while also contributing to the attack. The former Wolfsburg and Barcelona player has provided more than the Royals could have hoped for on both sides of the ball. Opposing offenses have struggled to expose her on the counter, and the Dash will need to find a way to test her defensively.
Head Coach
Jimmy Coenraets
The Belgian coach hasn't gotten off to the best start during his tenure with the Royals, but he has already shown what he is capable of as a coach. Coenraets had an impressive stint with OH Leuven, helping turn the club around and guide it from relegation trouble to survival in the Belgian Pro League. He left the club with a record of 77 wins, 26 draws and 12 losses and was named Manager of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
With Utah, Coenraets has posted a 25-26-12 record and still has time to improve that mark. The Royals' current form gives him an opportunity to show whether he can guide the team through the final stretch of the season and into the playoffs.
Last Five Matches
August 8 - Denver 2-1 Utah
August 14 - Utah 3-2 Bay
August 21 - San Diego 4-2 Utah
August 29 - Orlando 1-2 Utah
September 4 - Utah 1-2 Boston
Last Match Staring XI (from FotMob)
Here’s how Utah lined up for their last NWSL game, a 2-1 loss against Boston.
2026 Roster
Goalkeepers: Mandy McGlynn, Mia Justus, DeAira Jackson
Defenders: Kate Del Fava, Tatumn Milazzo, Kameron Simmonds, Nuria Rabano, Ana Tejada, Kaleigh Riehl, Miyabi, Ali Swensen
Midfielders: Cece Delzer, Narumi, Alex Loera, Dayana Pierre-Louis, Courtney Brown
Forwards: Paige Cronin, Mina Tanaka, Brecken Mozingo, KK Ream, Kiana Palacios, Cloe Lacasse, Alexa Spaanstra, Madison Hammond
