Kiana Palacios and Mina Tanaka scored and the Utah Royals beat the Denver Summit 2-1 on Saturday night in the National Women’s Soccer League to push their unbeaten streak to nine games.
In other games, the Houston Dash beat visiting Angel City 2-1, and the North Carolina Courage topped Racing Louisville 2-1 on the road.
The Royals (7-2-2) joined the Portland Thorns at the top of the standings, with teams set to met next weekend in Portland.
Tanaka scored in the 72nd minute off a penalty kick after Cloé Lacasse was fouled on the left edge of the box by Ayo Oke.
Palacios scored her first career NWSL goal in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a turnover by Eva Gaetino.
Denver (3-4-3) tied it minutes before halftime with Delanie Sheehan finding Yazmeen Ryan at the back post.
Dash beat Angel City 2-1 for first win in 51 days
Maggie Graham scored in stoppage time to lift Houston past Angel City for the Dash’s first victory in 51 days.
Graham fired a shot from just outside the box after a series of one-touch passes up the middle of the field. Houston (4-5-2) ended a six-game winless streak.
Kat Radar put Houston on the board in the 17th minute. Angel City (4-5-1) tied it nine minutes later on Maiara Carolina Niehues’ penalty kick.
Houston was without goalkeeper Jane Campbell after she sustained a head injury Wednesday against San Diego. In her place, Caroline Delisle made her first career NWSL start.
North Carolina reaches 100 regular-season wins in 2-1 victory
Ashley Sanchez scored her seventh goal of the season, Evelyn Ijeh had her second in two games and North Carolina edge Racing Louisville FC for the 100th regular-season win in Courage history.
The Courage (4-3-3) have won two in a row.
Arin Wright scored in stoppage time for Louisville (2-7-1).
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.