Honestly, if you only looked at the final table for the 2025 NWSL season, you’d probably think the Washington Spirit and Utah Royals FC were living in two completely different universes. The Spirit spent basically the whole year hovering near the top, eventually locking in that second-place seed for the playoffs with 44 points. Meanwhile, Utah was grinding away at the bottom, finishing 12th.
But soccer is weird.
On November 2, 2025, during the very last match of the regular season, the "bottom-feeder" Royals absolutely stunned the Spirit with a 1-0 victory at America First Field. It didn't change the playoff picture for Utah—they were already out—but it proved that Washington Spirit vs Utah Royals FC is becoming one of those sneaky matchups where the form book just flies out the window.
The Reality of the Spirit-Royals Rivalry
Most people think the Spirit just steamrolls the newer or "returning" franchises. That's a mistake. Even back in May 2025, they played a chaotic 3-3 draw at Audi Field that left everyone breathless. Washington had an expected goals (xG) of nearly 4.0 that night, but they couldn't put Utah away.
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That’s the thing about this specific matchup. The Spirit has the star power—think Trinity Rodman and Ashley Hatch—but Utah has Mandy McGlynn in goal. McGlynn finished the 2025 season ranked second in the league for saves per match. She’s essentially a human brick wall that seems to take a personal interest in ruining the Spirit’s afternoon.
Why Utah is Washington's Kryptonite
It's kinda funny how styles make fights. The Spirit, under their tactical setup, love to use the width of the pitch and let Rodman or Rosemonde Kouassi burn defenders for pace. Utah, especially under Jimmy Coenraets, learned to sit deep and frustrate.
- The Goalkeeping Factor: McGlynn's 86th-minute save against Esme Morgan in the season finale was the perfect example of why Washington struggles here.
- The Transition Game: Utah’s Paige Monaghan (now Paige Cronin) scored just four minutes into that November game.
- The Tactical Discipline: Utah's backline, featuring Kate Del Fava and Kaleigh Riehl, has become surprisingly cohesive.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
If you're tracking Washington Spirit vs Utah Royals FC for 2026, things just got a whole lot juicier. On January 12, 2026, the Spirit traded Narumi Miura to the Royals. Let that sink in. Miura was a massive part of the Spirit’s midfield engine. Now, she’s going to be lining up against her former teammates, probably feeling like she has a point to prove.
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The Spirit are also losing some veteran presence. Lyza Jessee just announced her retirement on January 17, 2026. While Aubrey Kingsbury is the undisputed number one, losing that locker room depth matters. Washington is busy signing new talent like Canadian defender Élisabeth Tsé, but those early-season matchups often favor the teams with more continuity.
Key Matchups to Circle on the Calendar
The 2026 schedule is out, and the next big showdown at America First Field is set for July 29, 2026.
- The Midfield Battle: Watch for how Hal Hershfelt (Spirit) deals with Narumi Miura (Royals). It’s student vs. teacher in a lot of ways.
- The Rodman Watch: Trinity Rodman is always the focal point. But Utah’s Ana Tejada has shown she isn't afraid of the 1v1 battle.
- The New Blood: Keep an eye on the Spirit's new keeper, Sara Wojdelko. If Kingsbury is away on international duty, the Royals will test the rookie immediately.
What it Means for the Fans
If you're a Spirit fan, you've learned not to take Utah lightly. If you're a Royals fan, this is the "giant killer" match you live for. The historical head-to-head record is actually closer than you’d think: Utah has 5 wins to Washington's 3, with 2 draws.
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Basically, Washington might have the trophies and the high playoff seeds, but Utah has the historical edge.
For 2026, expect more of the same. The Spirit will likely be favorites again, but until they figure out how to crack the Royals' defensive shell consistently, this matchup remains a total trap game.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
- Watch the Injury Report: The Spirit had five players on the Season-Ending Injury (SEI) list at various points last year, including Andi Sullivan and Croix Bethune. Their availability changes everything.
- Home Field Advantage is Real: Utah is a different beast at America First Field in the high altitude of Sandy.
- Follow the Trade Window: The Miura trade shows that these two front offices are talking. Don't be surprised if more pieces move between D.C. and Salt Lake City before the summer window closes.
To stay ahead of the curve on this rivalry, track the minutes played by the Spirit's new defensive signings in early March. If the backline hasn't gelled by the time they face Utah’s counter-attacking forwards like Cloé Lacasse, we could see another upset. Keep an eye on the official NWSL match center for live xG data during the July rematch to see if Washington is actually creating quality chances or just firing blanks.