2025 Utah Royals season

Last updated

Utah Royals
2024 season
URFC WordmarkLong Cobalt.svg
Owners
Sporting Director Kelly Cousins
Head coach Jimmy Coenraets
Stadium
←  2024
2026 →
All statistics correct as of January 11, 2025.

The 2025 Utah Royals season will be the team's fifth season of existence in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States. It will be the club's second season after returning to the league in 2024. The club plays its home games at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.

Contents

Background

The Royals returned to the NWSL in 2024 following a three-year absence. [1] Led by head coach Amy Rodriguez, the team had a slow start to the season that saw them at the bottom of the league table after the first half of the season. [2] After a ten-game winless period, [3] the club fired Rodriguez in late June and replaced her with interim head coach Jimmy Coenraets. [4] [5] Coenraets was promoted to a permanent role on October 24 after a more successful run of results and leading the Royals to a group victory in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. [6] [7] The team finished 11th overall at the end of the season, failing to qualify for the NWSL playoffs. [8]

Summary

Preseason

The Royals kicked off their preseason by announcing their end-of-year roster decisions. The club listed Zoe Burns, Julia Grosso, Shaelan Murison, Darielle O'Brien, Carly Nelson, and Cameron Tucker as players who would not be returning in 2025. Additionally, forward Hannah Betfort was listed as another player out of contract who was in negotiations with the Royals. [9] The next day, the club signed 15-year-old KK Ream using the NWSL Under-18 Entry Mechanism. Ream became the club's youngest signing, surpassing forward Ally Sentnor. [10] The Royals went on to add two more players on December 18 and December 30, trading to acquire Alex Loera [11] and signing former Texas Longhorns goalkeeper Mia Justus to her first professional contract. [12]

Following the turn of the new year, the Royals took to re-signing their current players. On January 7, Paige Monaghan was extended for three years, while Mandy McGlynn signed a five-year contract two days later. [13] [14] On January 10, the Royals announced the signing of Colombian international Ana María Guzmán on loan from Bayern Munich for one season. [15]

Meanwhile, former goalkeeper Carly Nelson spoke out against the Royals on social media, alleging that she was subjected to emotional and psychological abuse in her tenure with the club. [16] [17] The Royals caught wind of Nelson's statement and posted a response to her claims one day later. [18] [19]

On January 13, the Royals announced two incoming players and three outgoings. The club announced the release both Agnes Nyberg and Michele Vasconcelos after buying out their contracts, as well as the official departure of Hannah Betfort. [20] Later, the Royals revealed the signings of forward Aisha Solórzano and Tatumn Milazzo to bolster their roster. [21] [22]

Team

Current squad

As of March 28, 2025 [23]
No.Nat.NameDate of birth (age)SincePrevious teamNotes [a]
Goalkeepers
1 Flag of the United States.svg Mandy McGlynn November 3, 1998 (aged 26)2024 Flag of the United States.svg NJ/NY Gotham FC
23 Flag of the United States.svg Mia Justus September 3, 2002 (aged 22)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Texas Longhorns
32 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Cristina Roque November 6, 2001 (aged 23)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Florida State Seminoles
Defenders
2 Flag of the United States.svg Tatumn Milazzo April 17, 1998 (aged 26)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Stars FC
3 Flag of the United States.svg Olivia Griffitts August 2, 2001 (aged 23)2024 Flag of the United States.svg BYU Cougars
5 Flag of the United States.svg Lauren Flynn May 22, 2002 (aged 22)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Florida State Seminoles
8 Flag of the United States.svg Kate Del Fava July 23, 1998 (aged 26)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Kansas City Current
14 Flag of Spain.svg Nuria Rábano June 15, 1999 (aged 25)2025 Flag of Germany.svg VfL Wolfsburg INT
15 Flag of Colombia.svg Ana María Guzmán June 11, 2005 (aged 19)2025 Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich INT, LOA
16 Flag of the United States.svg Madison Pogarch November 5, 1997 (aged 27)2024 Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Wave FC
17 Flag of Spain.svg Ana Tejada June 2, 2002 (aged 22)2024 Flag of Spain.svg Real Sociedad INT
18 Flag of the United States.svg Kaleigh Riehl October 21, 1996 (aged 28)2024 Flag of the United States.svg San Diego Wave FC
28 Flag of the United States.svg Imani Dorsey March 21, 1996 (aged 28)2024 Flag of the United States.svg NJ/NY Gotham FC
Midfielders
6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Macey Fraser July 11, 2002 (aged 22)2024 Flag of New Zealand.svg Wellington Phoenix INT
7 Flag of Denmark.svg Janni Thomsen February 16, 2000 (aged 25)2025 Flag of Norway.svg Vålerenga INT
10 Flag of Spain.svg Claudia Zornoza October 20, 1990 (aged 34)2024 Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid INT
12 Flag of the United States.svg Alex Loera June 19, 1999 (aged 25)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Bay FC
21 Flag of the United States.svg Mikayla Cluff February 25, 1999 (aged 26)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Orlando Pride
22 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dana Foederer July 27, 2002 (aged 22)2024 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Fortuna Sittard INT
33 Flag of the United States.svg Aria Nagai 2025 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Tar Heels SCE
Forwards
4 Flag of the United States.svg Paige Monaghan (captain)November 13, 1996 (aged 28)2024 Flag of the United States.svg Racing Louisville FC
9 Flag of the United States.svg Ally Sentnor February 18, 2004 (aged 21)2024 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Tar Heels
11 Flag of Japan.svg Mina Tanaka April 28, 1994 (aged 30)2024 Flag of Japan.svg INAC Kobe Leonessa INT
13 Flag of the United States.svg Brecken Mozingo August 3, 2001 (aged 23)2024 Flag of the United States.svg BYU Cougars
19 Flag of the United States.svg KK Ream 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Utah AvalancheU18
24 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cloé Lacasse July 7, 1993 (aged 31)2024 Flag of England.svg Arsenal INT
30 Flag of Guatemala.svg Aisha Solórzano April 13, 1998 (aged 26)2025 Flag of Mexico.svg Club Tijuana
34 Flag of the United States.svg Sydney Jones October 24, 2002 (aged 22)2025 Flag of the United States.svg Ohio State Buckeyes IRP
35 Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Colbert Flag of the United States.svg USC Trojans IRP
53 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bianca St-Georges July 28, 1997 (aged 27)2025 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Courage
  1. ↑ Cruz Roja.svg denotes a season-ending injury.

Out on loan

No.Pos.PlayerNation
— MF Emily Gray (loaned to Piteå IF)Flag of the United States.svg  United States

Technical staff

As of January 12, 2025 [24]
Technical staff
RoleName
Sporting Director Kelly Cousins
Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets
Performance Coach/AnalystSam Lismont
Goalkeeper CoachJames White
Team AdministratorVanessa Ramos
Head Athletic TrainerMeghan Chambers
Assistant Athletic TrainerCarlaine Myers
Head of PerformanceJess Mendez
Applied Sports ScientistMaxine Furtado
Video AnalystJames Chandler
Equipment ManagerMaddie Holmberg

Competitions

  Win  Draw  Loss

Friendlies

February 6Preseason United City FC 0–3 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
12:00 pm MT Report
  • Cluff Soccerball shade.svg45'
  • Feldman Soccerball shade.svg71'
  • Colbert Soccerball shade.svg78'
Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
February 10Preseason San Diego Wave FC 3–2 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
2:00 pm MT
  • Soccerball shade.svg
  • Soccerball shade.svg
  • Soccerball shade.svg
 Report
Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
February 13Preseason San Diego State Aztecs 1–3 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
8:00 pm MTSoccerball shade.svg Report
  • Colbert Soccerball shade.svg24', 28'
  • Feldman Soccerball shade.svg65'
Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center

Regular season

Regular-season standings

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
000000 0000000 000000 0
Results by matchday
Matchday1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
Ground
Result
Position [a]
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
  1. ↑ UTA's position at the end of the day on which their match was played.

    Squad statistics

    Appearances

    Goals

    Assists

    Clean sheets

    Disciplinary record

    Transactions

    Contract operations

    Contract options
    DatePlayerPos.NotesRef.
    September 19, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Lauren Flynn
    DF
    		Options exercised for 2025. [25]
    Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Cristina Roque
    GK
    Re-signings
    DatePlayerPos.NotesRef.
    January 7, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Paige Monaghan
    FW
    		Re-signed to a three-year contract through 2027. [13]
    January 9, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Mandy McGlynn
    GK
    		Re-signed to a five-year contract through 2029. [14]

    Loans in

    DatePlayerPos.Previous clubFee/notesRef.
    January 10, 2025 Flag of Colombia.svg Ana María Guzmán
    DF
    		 Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich Loaned through the 2025 NWSL season. [15]

    Loans out

    DatePlayerPos.Destination clubFee/notesRef.
    January 28, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Emily Gray
    MF
    		 Flag of Sweden.svg Piteå IF Loaned through December 31, 2025. [26]

    Transfers in

    DatePlayerPos.Previous clubFee/notesRef.
    December 11, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg KK Ream
    FW
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Utah AvalancheSigned with NWSL Under-18 Entry Mechanism to a three-year contract. [10]
    December 18, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Alex Loera
    MF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Bay FC Traded in exchange for $25,000 in intra-league transfer fees and a 15% sell-on fee. [11]
    December 30, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Mia Justus
    GK
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Texas Longhorns Free agent rookie signed to a three-year contract. [12]
    January 13, 2025 Flag of Guatemala.svg Aisha Solórzano
    FW
    		 Flag of Mexico.svg Club Tijuana Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract. [21]
    Flag of the United States.svg Tatumn Milazzo
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago Stars FC Free agent signed to a two-year contract. [22]
    January 29, 2025 Flag of Spain.svg Nuria Rábano
    DF
    		 Flag of Germany.svg VfL Wolfsburg Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract with a mutual option. [27]
    March 4, 2025 Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Colbert
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg USC Trojans Signed to a short-term injury replacement contract. [28]
    Flag of the United States.svg Sydney Jones
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Ohio State Buckeyes Signed to a short-term injury replacement contract.
    Flag of the United States.svg Aria Nagai
    MF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Tar Heels Signed to a Salary Cap Exempt contract.
    March 6, 2025 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bianca St-Georges
    FW
    		 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Courage Signed to a one-year contract. [29]
    March 7, 2025 Flag of Denmark.svg Janni Thomsen
    DF
    		 Flag of Norway.svg Vålerenga Signed to a two-year contract with a mutual option. [30]

    Transfers out

    DatePlayerPos.Destination clubFee/notesRef.
    December 10, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Betfort
    FW
    		 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Courage Out of contract. [9] [31]
    Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Zoe Burns
    DF
    		 [9]
    Flag of the United States.svg Julia Grosso
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Fort Lauderdale United FC [9]
    Flag of the United States.svg Shaelan Murison
    FW
    		 [9]
    Flag of the United States.svg Darielle O'Brien
    DF
    		 [9]
    Flag of the United States.svg Carly Nelson
    GK
    		 [9]
    Flag of the United States.svg Cameron Tucker
    FW
    		 Flag of Spain.svg Levante UD [9]
    January 13, 2025 Flag of Sweden.svg Agnes Nyberg
    MF
    		Released. [20]
    Flag of the United States.svg Michele Vasconcelos
    FW
    		 Flag of Spain.svg Levante Badalona

    Preseason trialists

    Trialists are non-rostered invitees during preseason and are not automatically signed. The Royals released their preseason roster on January 15, 2025.

    PlayerPos.Previous clubStatusRef.
    Flag of the United States.svg Jennifer Blitchok
    FW
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Western Michigan Broncos [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Cora Brendle
    GK
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Utah State Aggies [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Kayla Colbert
    FW
    		 Flag of the United States.svg USC Trojans [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Maryn Granger
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Utah Utes [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Sydney Jones
    DF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg Ohio State Buckeyes [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Aria Nagai
    MF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg North Carolina Tar Heels [32]
    Flag of the United States.svg Chloe Sadler
    MF
    		 Flag of the United States.svg La Roca PremierU18 trialist. [32]

    Awards

    References

    1. ↑ "Utah Royals to return next season as NWSL's 13th team". AP News. March 12, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    2. ↑ rsl. "Utah Royals FC 2024 Season In Review | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    3. ↑ Gutierrez, Jackie (November 4, 2024). "Building blocks for the future: Utah Royals reflect on Year 1 of being back in the NWSL – Equalizer Soccer". equalizersoccer.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    4. ↑ "Last-place Utah fire head coach Rodriguez". ESPN.com. June 30, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    5. ↑ Gutierrez, Jackie. "Utah Royals FC Address Decision To Fire Amy Rodriguez". Forbes. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    6. ↑ Turner, Caleb; Oct. 24, KSL com | Posted-; A.m, 2024 at 11:12. "Utah Royals make interim head coach Jimmy Coenraets permanent". www.ksl.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    7. ↑ "Utah Royals hire Jimmy Coenraets as new head coach". Deseret News. October 24, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    8. ↑ Turner, Caleb; Nov. 1, KSL com | Posted-; P.m, 2024 at 11:25. "Utah Royals end season with 4-1 loss to reigning champ Gotham". www.ksl.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Announces 2025 Roster Decisions | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    10. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs 15-Year-Old KK Ream To Professional Contract | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    11. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Trades For Midfielder Alex Loera | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    12. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Adds Rookie Goalkeeper Mia Justus | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    13. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Paige Monaghan to Contract Extension | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    14. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn To Contract Extension | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    15. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs FC Bayern Munich Defender Ana María Guzmán On Loan | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    16. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (January 10, 2025). "Ex-Utah Royals GK Carly Nelson alleges 'emotional and psychological abuse' at club – Equalizer Soccer". equalizersoccer.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    17. ↑ Linehan, Meg. "Former Utah goalkeeper Carly Nelson alleges club allowed 'emotional and psychological abuse'" . The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    18. ↑ "Utah Royals 'saddened' over allegations of abuse made by former player". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). January 11, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    19. ↑ KUTV, Kaigan Bigler (January 10, 2025). "Former player for Utah Royals accuses coaches of abuse, Royals respond". KUTV. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    20. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Announces Three Player Departures | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
    21. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Aisha Solórzano From Club Tijuana | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
    22. 1 2 rsl. "Utah Royals FC Adds Tatumn Milazzo Bolstering Defense | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
    23. ↑ "ACTIVE ROSTER" . Retrieved February 2, 2025.
    24. ↑ "TECHNICAL STAFF" . Retrieved January 12, 2025.
    25. ↑ rsl. "Lauren Flynn and Cristina Roque Have Options Picked Up By Utah Royals FC | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
    26. ↑ rsl. "Utah Royals FC Loans Emily Gray To Piteå IF | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
    27. ↑ rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Defender Nuria Rábano From VfL Wolfsburg | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
    28. ↑ rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Three Players to Short Term Contracts | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
    29. ↑ rsl. "Utah Royals FC Welcomes Free Agent Bianca St-Georges | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
    30. ↑ rsl. "Danish Defender Janni Thomsen Signs With Utah Royals FC | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
    31. ↑ "NC Courage sign free agent forward Hannah Betfort". NC Courage. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
    32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 rsl. "URFC Releases 2025 Preseason Roster | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.