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Utah Royals FC will have a game broadcast on ESPN as part of a new women’s soccer deal

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Royals FC midfielder Mandy Laddish (7) and Sky Blue FC forward Nahomi Kawasumi (9) as Utah Royals FC hosts Sky Blue FC at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday June 15, 2019.

  | July 4, 2019, 2:04 p.m.

Fans of women’s soccer in the United States will get an opportunity to watch games on national television.

The National Women’s Soccer League on Thursday announced a deal with ESPN that involves the network broadcasting 14 games for the remainder of the 2019 season. Eight games will be shown on ESPNEWS, and the rest on ESPN2. The two semifinals and the championship game will all air on ESPN2.

“NWSL is a global leader in women’s professional soccer, with collectively the most talented players in the world,” NWSL president Amanda Duffy said in a statement. “Together with the reach of ESPN’s vast network, we have the opportunity to bring more games to a broader audience across the country and world. Even in the year leading up to the Women’s World Cup, we have continued to experience tremendous growth through the support, engagement, and visibility from our fans.”

The Utah Royals FC will have one game broadcast on ESPNEWS — July 27 at home against the North Carolina Courage. The Portland Thorns and the Courage each have four games that will be televised.

All 14 games will also stream live on the ESPN app.

“We are pleased to once again televise the National Women’s Soccer League and showcase many of the world’s top female players when they return to their professional club teams,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president of programming and scheduling at ESPN. “The success and excitement of the World Cup in France has been on full display and the NWSL represents the best women’s club soccer in the world.”