Who is commentating Utah Royals v Portland Thorns? How to watch NWSL clash in the UK
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Utah Royals v Portland Thorns in the NWSL will be available in the UK via NWSL+, with the fixture listed for 00:00 UK time on Monday 3 August 2026. The match is also shown on KNRK-DT 2, while the international NWSL+ feed features Josh Eastern and Jill Loyden in the main commentary booth. [2][3][7][18][20]
The game is being played at America First Field, where Utah Royals are looking to build on a strong start to the season against a Portland side that remains one of the NWSL’s biggest names. Club schedule listings confirm the match is part of the 2026 league calendar, with the Royals listed as the home team and the Thorns as visitors. [4][7][9][15][18]
Josh Eastern is a familiar voice for NWSL viewers and has become a regular on league broadcasts, while former United States international Jill Loyden brings player-level insight from her background as a goalkeeper and analyst. That combination makes the NWSL+ coverage a strong option for viewers wanting a broadcast with tactical detail as well as straightforward match commentary. [7][20]
For the local feed, Lily Crane leads the call on KNRK-DT 2 alongside Angela Harrison. That gives viewers a second commentary option depending on platform and region, although the broad international availability still points most UK fans towards NWSL+. [2][3][7][18]
OneSoccer is also listed among the channels carrying the match, which is relevant for Canadian viewers following the league through that platform. For British readers, the key takeaway is that the game is not on the usual UK terrestrial or pay-TV football broadcasters, so NWSL+ is the main route to watch legally in this time slot. [2][3][20]
The fixture comes at an interesting point in the campaign. Utah’s club preview described the match as the Royals’ final game in a three-match week, and the two sides went into the meeting separated by only two points in the table, underlining how significant the result could be for the playoff race. [7][18]
These clubs also have recent history worth noting. Portland and Utah played out a 2-2 draw earlier in the season, which suggests another tight contest rather than a one-sided affair. That result adds extra weight to a rematch that should interest neutral viewers as well as supporters of both clubs. [14][17]
For readers unfamiliar with the competition, the NWSL is the top tier of women’s professional football in the United States. It has grown rapidly in profile in recent years, and its matches are increasingly available through dedicated streaming platforms rather than traditional UK television channels. NWSL coverage is now central to how British fans follow the league. [4][15][18]
In practical terms, if you are in the UK and want to watch Utah Royals v Portland Thorns, the simplest option is NWSL+ at midnight UK time. If you are following the broadcast specifically, the main international commentary team is Josh Eastern and Jill Loyden, with Lily Crane and Angela Harrison on the KNRK-DT 2 coverage. [2][3][7][20]
Article generated: 3 August 2026, 00:01 GMT