Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Gotham FC defeated the Utah Royals 4-1, securing second place in the NWSL standings.
- Utah finished the season in 10th place, improving from last place.
- Head coach Jimmy Coenraets aims for playoffs next season, with a focus on player health and improvement.
SANDY — If the Utah Royals were looking for the blueprint on how to succeed in the NWSL, it was across the field from them on Friday.
Reigning NWSL champion Gotham FC came into America First Field and re-established its position as one of the top contenders to hoist the trophy once again, leaving with four goals and 3 points.
The win moves Gotham into second place in the league standings and drops Utah to 10th — still a marked improvement on the last-place 14th spot the Royals wallowed in for most of the year.
Gotham took control early with goals in the 15th and 17th minutes and would have had a third just minutes later if not for a handball call seen by VAR that disallowed the goal.
Hannah Betfort got one back in the 74th minute on an assist by Kate Del Fava to give Utah some hope, but Esther Gonzalez scored a quick brace in the 77th and 84th minutes to run away with the win for Gotham.
Kate Del Fava sets up Hannah Betfort for perfect run towards goal! pic.twitter.com/pSfmHYRCHZ
— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) November 2, 2024
"They pretty much finished the game off, which is what a good team does," Del Fava said. "We know that we can be just as good as they are finishing next year. I think we showed that in a moment of really good brilliance from Hannah, so I hope we can just build on that and have more moments like that next year."
The Royals entered Friday's regular-season finale on a four-game unbeaten streak dating back to Sept. 28. They got five of their seven wins this season after the Summer Olympics break in July and August, showing a positive trajectory under newly named permanent head coach Jimmy Coenraets.
Coenraets said multiple players approached him after the loss and said, "Forget this one. Next season will be better."
"I think there's a big belief, there's a big thing growing in this group," Coenraets said. "It's just making sure that everyone gets the time out that they need, and then I'm quite convinced that we'll have a fun season next season."
The main priority for the team is getting players healthy after a double-digit injury list in recent weeks. But after that, Coenraets said the main goal for Utah is to make the playoffs next year, meaning two spots higher in the standings and at least two more wins based on this year's standings.
