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HOUSTON — The Utah Royals did what Real Salt Lake hasn't been able to do since 2018: win a game in Houston.
The NWSL's last-place team as of kickoff on Saturday came away with a 3-1 win to get back-to-back victories for the first time this season, and, once again, escape the cellar of the league by leapfrogging the Houston Dash in the standings on their home turf.
A win seemed unlikely after an 11th-minute own goal by Kate Del Fava, but the referee ruled an offside call in the build-up, and Utah was able to capitalize with a go-ahead goal in the 44th minute from Ana Tejada.
CHAOS IN THE BOX 👀
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) September 1, 2024
Ana Tejada with her first NWSL goal! pic.twitter.com/P1StOpkEvN
"The rebound came to me so I tried to kick the ball hard, and luckily it went in," Tejada said on the broadcast at halftime. "I think the most important thing is working as a team as we did in the first half."
Claudia Zorzona buried a penalty kick on the other side of halftime to give both Spanish Royals their first goals since arriving in the U.S. Captain Paige Monaghan broke away for her second goal in as many games in the 60th minute to cap off an impressive offensive outing for the surging Royals.
Utah now has five goals in its last two games after scoring just eight over its first 16 matches of the season.
The Royals stay on the road to face the Kansas City Current on Sept. 7.
