Match Review: Royals take home first 2026 win with a 2-1 road victory over Boston FC
In the third road match of the 2026 season, Milazzo’s first-half finish and Prasnikar’s PK carried the Royal’s lead all the way to the final whistle
Lara Prašnikar (9) winds up for the penalty kick during the second half of Utah Royals FC’s match against Boston FC at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 28, 2026. | Emma Corona Utah Royals FC picked up their first win of the 2026 season on Saturday morning at Gillette Stadium, edging Boston FC 2-1 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Looking for their first win of the year, the Royals opened with attacking intent and a lineup full of fresh faces, determined to claim their first three points.
Utah Royals FC head coach Jimmy Coenraets made six changes to the starting lineup for the Boston match, shifting to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation from last Wednesday’s draw. Defenders Alexa Spaanstra and Tatumn Milazzo returned to the XI, Milazzo back from suspension. Miyabi Moriya and Mina Tanaka made their first starts of the season, while Slovenian international Lara Prašnikar joined the attack.
Milazzo strikes first Utah looked dangerous from the start, and the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. After earning a free kick, Cloé Lacasse delivered a ball across the box, and Milazzo met it with a clean, one touch finish just inside the left post to put the Royals ahead. The goal marked Milazzo’s second of the 2026 season and sixth of her NWSL career, with four of those coming by way of headers.
It also added to her legacy by giving Utah its first-ever goal against Boston. Prašnikar’s Game Winning Goal in the Penalty Box Coming out of the break, the Royals looked to extend their lead. Tanaka earned a penalty for the Royals in the 49th minute — the second straight week Boston has conceded a PK.