Utah Royals’ Inaugural NWSL Semifinal Run Concludes With Loss to Washington Spirit
The Utah Royals' historic season came to an end in their first-ever NWSL semifinal appearance, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat away against the Washington Spirit.
Salt Lake City, UT, November 14, 2026 — The Utah Royals concluded their historic inaugural National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season following a 2-1 loss to the Washington Spirit in the semifinals. The match, played on the road against the Spirit, marked the furthest the franchise has advanced in its first year of competition.
The defeat signifies the end of the Royals’ playoff journey, which saw them reach the NWSL semifinals for the first time in club history. This achievement represents a significant milestone for the team in its debut season.
The game’s outcome was decided by a single goal, with the Washington Spirit ultimately securing their victory on home turf. The specific details regarding the scoring, the timeline of the goals, or any further match statistics were not provided in the summary.
While the team did not advance to the NWSL Championship, reaching the semifinal stage is considered a notable accomplishment for an expansion club. The Utah Royals will now look to build upon this season’s success as they prepare for future competition in the league.
Story summarized from the original created by Jay Kostal on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
