Utah Royals secure historic season start with four-game winning streak

The Utah Royals have climbed to fifth place in the NWSL table following a four-game winning streak, marking their best start to a season in club history. With 13 points from seven matches, the team has established a cohesive unit through a culture of high standards and accountability. This performance has forced the opposing side to take notice as the franchise pushes forward after years of struggling in the bottom half of the table.

Head coach Jimmy Coenraets attributes the success to the squad's focus on controllables and strong defensive organisation, which has resulted in three consecutive clean sheets. The coach noted that the team is now 50 per cent less vocal at practice because players are holding each other accountable and driving the culture themselves. This shift in behaviour reflects a broader change in how the team approaches every match, ensuring they do not come onto the pitch asleep.

The franchise, which re-entered the league in 2024 after a period of instability, has integrated new signings with experienced veterans to build a competitive team ahead of a 30-game regular season. Key players stepping up this season include those who have been with the club since its inception, such as Paige Cronin and Canadian international Cloe Lecasse. Their ability to set the tone in the first five to 10 minutes of a game has been central to the team's progress.

The upcoming 2026 NWSL regular season is the longest version ever, with every club managing a 30-game slate for the first time in league history. For a club that is used to having late-season surges, stringing results together over an entire year will have its own set of challenges. However, the early returns are promising, suggesting that the trajectory is not just some overnight success but a result of a longer process of culture building.

The Royals face a quick turnaround after hosting Houston Dash on Wednesday, heading to Northern California to face Bay FC on Sunday. This schedule demands that the team maintains its focus on standards and values at practice, even with small injuries occurring during training. The coaching staff emphasises that there is no getting out of standards, and this fighting spirit is what has to be praised in the squad.

While the season is nowhere close to finished, the Utah Royals have emerged as one of the intriguing stories to kickstart the 2026 NWSL season. The combination of international and NWSL experiences seems to have finally gelled into a cohesive unit, setting the club up for later success if there is a playoff push down the line.