Going into the match, it felt like NC Courage U23 were a lock. Not just because the club has a history of making it to the league final (third in as many years), but also because this year’s squad was so balanced on attack and so locked down in defense, yielding less than a goal per match. In our preview of this match, we certainly thought the Courage had the edge. But matches aren’t played on paper and the final gave us a brand new USL W League champion, Utah United.

Utah hosted in the match in Provo and maybe that played a role in the match going the way it did. Or maybe it was an early red card that left the defending champions a player down for the remainder of the match. Who can say.

Regardless, Utah United used the advantage to absolutely blow out their visiting challengers. The first goal came in the 37th minute, when Kenzie Evans-Tostado hit a looping shot from outside the box that beat the keeper and put the home side up early. Golden Boot winner Seven Castain would get one of her own in the second half, slotting a shot past the keeper from close range. Lilliah Blum and Ruby Hladek would add two more to complete the blowout.

Utah United are the second consecutive club from the Mountain Division to make it to the final, following last year’s runner-up Colorado Storm. While the division only features five teams, it’s clear that the quality makes up for the quantity. Utah was a force throughout the season, powering through competition with a +56 goal differential, scoring 61 goals in 10 matches, and losing just a single game to the aforementioned Storm.

The USL W League has to feel good about another successful year where they continue to expand the scope of their map, adding teams throughout the nation and increasing their foothold in amateur women’s soccer. Be on the lookout for an interview with Mark Davis, the founder of Utah United, on The W Show, the Protagonist Podcast dedicated to the W League.

- Dan Vaughn