Royals Defeat Chicago 1-0 on Tanaka Penalty Kick

Utah Royals FC extend unbeaten run to 3 matches with home victory

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:03am

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the dynamic action of a women's soccer match, with fragmented shapes and planes of vibrant colors representing the intensity and movement of the game.The Utah Royals' relentless attacking pressure and ability to capitalize on key moments proved the difference in their 1-0 victory over the Chicago Stars.Sandy Today

The Utah Royals FC defeated the Chicago Stars FC 1-0 on Friday night at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Japanese international Mina Tanaka converted a 74th-minute penalty kick to give the Royals the victory, capping off a dominant attacking performance that saw the home team record a franchise-record 27 shots.

Why it matters

The win extends the Royals' unbeaten streak to three matches and keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the highly competitive NWSL Western Conference. The team's relentless attacking pressure and ability to grind out close victories could prove crucial as the season progresses.

The details

The Royals controlled the match from the start, generating 18 shots in the first half alone - the most in a single half in franchise history. Despite hitting the post and crossbar, Utah was unable to find the breakthrough until Cece Delzer was fouled in the box in the 70th minute, leading to Tanaka's penalty conversion. The Royals finished the match with a club-record 27 shots, cementing their attacking dominance.

  • The match was played on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Tanaka's penalty kick goal came in the 74th minute.

The players

Mina Tanaka

A Japanese international forward for the Utah Royals FC who scored the game-winning penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Cece Delzer

A midfielder for the Utah Royals FC who drew the penalty that led to Tanaka's game-winning goal.

Mia Justus

The goalkeeper for the Utah Royals FC who made a key save in the 12th minute to keep the match scoreless.

Tatumn Milazzo

A defender for the Utah Royals FC who spoke about the team's aggressive attacking approach and desire to control the tempo of the game.

Janni Thomsen

A defender for the Utah Royals FC who hit the crossbar with a shot in the first half.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to be compact and keep the ball in their end, and when we had it, just enjoy having the ball.”

— Tatumn Milazzo, URFC defender

What’s next

The Royals will hit the road after the upcoming international break to face Seattle Reign FC on Sunday, April 26 at Lumen Field.

The takeaway

The Royals' dominant attacking performance and ability to grind out a close victory despite not converting early chances shows the team's resilience and potential to be a force in the NWSL Western Conference playoff race.