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Erika Tymrak Helps Utah Royals FC Clinch Three Points Over Houston Dash

Three major points against the Houston Dash have brought the Utah Royals FC up to sixth place in the NWSL standings. In her 100th league appearance, Erika Tymrak scored the game-winning goal for Utah.
Erika Tymrak

SANDY, UTAH (May 19, 2018) — Erika Tymrak is not the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Utah Royals FC.

However, she was the most popular Royals player on Saturday. Tymrak scored Utah’s game-winning goal over the Houston Dash, clinching a 1-0 victory.

The three points have bumped Utah ahead of the Dash and into sixth place in the NWSL.

Erika Tymrak Goal Helps Utah Royals FC Clinch Three Points

For Tymrak, the match was even more special due to it being her first start under Royals head coach Laura Harvey.

“I knew very early that I thought this game could be one for Erika, she worked really hard in training,” Harvey said after the match. “Today’s game was about how good we could be with the ball, and I know that’s Erika’s game… Erika hasn’t had many minutes as she would like, but she’s going to be a huge part in our success.”

“I’m really pleased for her today that she got the credit and the reward of the goal that she deserved.”

Tymrak, who featured for the full 90 minutes, said that the goal “feels amazing.” Gunnhildur “Gunny” Jónsdóttir assisted the goal.

“It’s been tough being a sub this season but I came on and I wanted to help the team out,” Tymrak said. “It felt great getting a goal, but I really think the team played awesome and we played 90 minutes of good football.”

Despite earning her first start for the Royals, the match was Tymrak’s 100th NWSL appearance. She had formerly featured for FC Kansas City from 2013-17.

“It’s pretty cool because I was a rookie in its first year and it’s been cool to see how the league has progressed,” Tymrak said. “It’s awesome I could get my 100th game with this club. I think this club is doing something truly special raising the bar for women’s soccer I’m just happy I could be a part of that.”

Three Takeaways

  1. Gunny getting her groove back: The first-ever goal scored in Royals FC history was by Gunny Jónsdóttir. However, since then, it’s been tough to find the back of the net. Jónsdóttir has shifted to more of a defensive midfield role, but that’s OK because she is excelling in it. Her experience in the midfield is helping Utah — and her own self — get consistency.
  2. O’Hara still out: Midfielder/defender Kelley O’Hara is still out for the Utah Royals, recovering from a right hamstring strain. In her update, Harvey said that O’Hara is “going to be a little bit longer. I don’t think we have a timetable yet, but it will be a minimum of a couple weeks, probably a little bit longer.”
  3. Houston, we have a problem: Don’t let the fact that Houston is up ahead of the Washington Spirit on the table bring much hope. Washington is still without Rose Lavelle in their midfield and that will be a major boost. Meanwhile, Kealia Ohai might be back for Houston, but there’s still plenty of problems.

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