TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROYALS AZ

Down two goals in second half stoppage time to a team that had not lost a game in over a year, most teams would have played out the final few minutes, ready to move onto the next match. Not the Matchweek Four Global Scarves Team of the Week, Royals AZ. Down 3-1 in the waning minutes of the match, Royals AZ clawed its way back to win 5-3. Then to come out and play perennial conference favorite, FC Tucson to a 2-2 draw three days later is nothing less than an epic week. 

In one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of the WPSL, Royals AZ tallied an almost inconceivable four goals in stoppage time to be the first team to hand SC del Sol its first loss in regular season play since the 2023. Throw in the fact that it happened in the season opener, when most of the players had only trained together a few times and you have one legendary comeback. 

“This group showed real character in our opening match. To come back and score two goals in stoppage time to win really speaks to the resilience and belief within the squad,” Royals AZ coach, Tiffany Roberts said. “We’re just beginning to find our rhythm and gel as a team.

Global Scarves Matchweek Three Team of the Week, Royals AZ.  Photo courtsey of Royals AZ

Stoppage time was not the first lead Royals AZ enjoyed in the match. Ellie Johannes put the Scottsdale-based club in the lead in front of its home fans moments before the halftime whistle.

Whatever was said in the SC del Sol locker room certainly lit a fire under the Desert Conference defending champs. SC del Sol came out blazing, banging in three goals in less than a half hour after the start of the second half before parking a double-decker bus to preserve the win. 

With only seconds to play in regulation Larkin Thomason gave Royals AZ hope making the game 3-2. Through sheer collective grit, Johannes leveled things at three at the beginning of stoppage time. Then it was Thomason again, making it 4-3, followed by Erin Fitzharris, who sealed one of the most incredible comebacks in recent WPSL memory moments before the referee’s final whistle. 

“It was a collective effort, " Roberts said. “Every player contributed, and we’re proud of how they responded to adversity.”

But Royals AZ were not done. Following its incredible, come-from-behind win over SC del Sol, the club was again tested versus longtime conference powerhouse FC Tucson, playing. Twice Johannes put Royals AZ in the lead bringing her goal tally to four on the season. Twice FC Tucson fought back, finishing the game with a 2-2 draw to walk away from Week Four with four incredibly hard-earned points. 

“We have a lot of games ahead of us,” Roberts said. “But this is a good start.

And it doesn’t get any easier. Royals AZ travel to face SC del Sol on Wednesday in the return match, followed by a trip to El Paso to take on the Surf on Saturday. 
 

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