The Utah Royals are no longer just making up the numbers in the NWSL. After two seasons lingering in the bottom half of the table, this team is finally turning heads—and they're doing it in style.
Riding a five-game unbeaten streak, including four straight wins, the Royals have surged to fifth place in the standings. It's the best start in franchise history, and the momentum couldn't be better timed as they prepare for a Wednesday night showdown against the Houston Dash (CBS Sports Network, 10 p.m. ET). With the season approaching the quarter mark, both teams are looking to make a statement.
"The saying about streaks is that every time you move one step further, you're one step closer to losing it," head coach Jimmy Coenraets said. "So we're just focusing on one game at a time. It feels great—we're not just writing history in terms of results, but in how we show up. These athletes, these players, these humans—they deserve all the credit."
What's fueling this rise? It's not just the wins themselves, but the culture behind them. Coenraets emphasizes that the team's grit is forged in training, where standards are non-negotiable. "It's been rough and tough every single day at practice. We see small injuries—ankle rolls—just because of how hard we train. But we practice what we preach. There's no getting out of standards, no getting out of values. That fighting spirit is what you see in games, and I have to praise them for it."
The Royals have evolved into one of the NWSL's most intriguing stories this season. With 13 points through seven games, they've climbed into the top five by blending an evolving attack with a defense that has posted three consecutive clean sheets. International talent and NWSL experience have finally gelled into a cohesive unit that looks ready to compete with the league's best.
It's a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that re-entered the league in 2024 after the previous iteration ceased operations ahead of the 2021 season. Last year was a struggle—the team was in last place midseason after nine losses, prompting a coaching change. Coenraets took over on an interim basis and helped mount a late-season push. Now, with a full offseason and a clear identity, the Royals are proving that their climb is no fluke.