2025 Utah Royals season

Utah Royals
2024 season
Owners
Sporting DirectorKelly Cousins
Head coachJimmy Coenraets
Stadium
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.

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]

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 June 12, 2025[23]
No. Nat. Name Date of birth (age) Since Previous team Notes[a]
Goalkeepers
1 Mandy McGlynn (1998-11-03)November 3, 1998 (aged 26) 2024 NJ/NY Gotham FC
23 Mia Justus (2002-09-03)September 3, 2002 (aged 22) 2025 Texas Longhorns
Defenders
2 Tatumn Milazzo (1998-04-17)April 17, 1998 (aged 26) 2025 Chicago Stars FC
3 Olivia Griffitts (2001-08-02)August 2, 2001 (aged 23) 2024 BYU Cougars
5 Lauren Flynn (2002-05-22)May 22, 2002 (aged 22) 2024 Florida State Seminoles
8 Kate Del Fava (1998-07-23)July 23, 1998 (aged 26) 2024 Kansas City Current
14 Nuria Rábano (1999-06-15)June 15, 1999 (aged 25) 2025 VfL Wolfsburg INT
15 Ana María Guzmán (2005-06-11)June 11, 2005 (aged 19) 2025 Bayern Munich INT, LOA
16 Madison Pogarch (1997-11-05)November 5, 1997 (aged 27) 2024 San Diego Wave FC
17 Ana Tejada (2002-06-02)June 2, 2002 (aged 22) 2024 Real Sociedad INT
18 Kaleigh Riehl (1996-10-21)October 21, 1996 (aged 28) 2024 San Diego Wave FC
28 Imani Dorsey (1996-03-21)March 21, 1996 (aged 28) 2024 NJ/NY Gotham FC
Midfielders
6 Macey Fraser (2002-07-11)July 11, 2002 (aged 22) 2024 Wellington Phoenix INT
7 Janni Thomsen (2000-02-16)February 16, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 Vålerenga INT
10 Claudia Zornoza (1990-10-20)October 20, 1990 (aged 34) 2024 Real Madrid INT
12 Alex Loera (1999-06-19)June 19, 1999 (aged 25) 2025 Bay FC
21 Mikayla Cluff (1999-02-25)February 25, 1999 (aged 26) 2024 Orlando Pride
22 Dana Foederer (2002-07-27)July 27, 2002 (aged 22) 2024 Fortuna Sittard INT
33 Aria Nagai (2000-02-16)February 16, 2000 (aged 25) 2025 North Carolina Tar Heels SCE
Forwards
4 Paige Monaghan (captain) (1996-11-13)November 13, 1996 (aged 28) 2024 Racing Louisville FC
9 Ally Sentnor (2004-02-18)February 18, 2004 (aged 21) 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels
11 Mina Tanaka (1994-04-28)April 28, 1994 (aged 30) 2024 INAC Kobe Leonessa INT
13 Brecken Mozingo (2001-08-03)August 3, 2001 (aged 23) 2024 BYU Cougars
19 KK Ream (2009-07-08)July 8, 2009 (aged 15) 2025 Utah Avalanche U18
24 Cloé Lacasse (1993-07-07)July 7, 1993 (aged 31) 2024 Arsenal INT
25 Cece Kizer (1997-08-07)August 7, 1997 (aged 27) 2025 Gotham FC
30 Aisha Solórzano (1998-04-13)April 13, 1998 (aged 26) 2025 Club Tijuana
53 Bianca St-Georges (1997-07-28)July 28, 1997 (aged 27) 2025 North Carolina Courage
  1. ^ denotes a season-ending injury.

Out on loan

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  USA Emily Gray (loaned to Piteå IF)

Technical staff

As of January 12, 2025[24]
Technical staff
Role Name
Sporting Director Kelly Cousins
Head Coach Jimmy Coenraets
Performance Coach/Analyst Sam Lismont
Goalkeeper Coach James White
Team Administrator Vanessa Ramos
Head Athletic Trainer Meghan Chambers
Assistant Athletic Trainer Carlaine Myers
Head of Performance Jess Mendez
Applied Sports Scientist Maxine Furtado
Video Analyst James Chandler
Equipment Manager Maddie Holmberg

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss

Friendlies

February 6 Preseason United City FC 0–3 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
12:00 pm MT Report
  • Cluff 45'
  • Feldman 71'
  • Colbert 78'
Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
February 10 Preseason San Diego Wave FC 3–2 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
2:00 pm MT
Report Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
February 13 Preseason San Diego State Aztecs 1–3 Utah Royals Chula Vista, California
8:00 pm MT Report
  • Colbert 24', 28'
  • Feldman 65'
Stadium: Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center

Regular season

March 15 1 Utah Royals 1–1 Bay FC Sandy, Utah
5:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 10,624
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
March 22 2 San Diego Wave 3–2 Utah Royals San Diego, California
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Attendance: 18,465
Referee: Shawn Tehini
March 29 3 Kansas City Current 3–0 Utah Royals Kansas City, Missouri
5:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: CPKC Stadium
Attendance: 11,500
Referee: Marie Durr
April 11 4 Utah Royals 0–1 Portland Thorns Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 5,051
Referee: Iryna Petrunok
April 18 5 Utah Royals 1–0 Chicago Stars Sandy, Utah
7:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 17,085
Referee: John Matto
April 25 6 Houston Dash 1–0 Utah Royals Houston, Texas
6:00 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 5,084
Referee: Adorae Monroy
May 3 7 Utah Royals 0–2 North Carolina Courage Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 7,371
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
May 9 8 Angel City FC 2–0 Utah Royals Los Angeles, California
8:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report Stadium: BMO Stadium
Attendance: 16,533
Referee: Alexandra Billeter
May 17 9 Washington Spirit 3–3 Utah Royals Washington, D.C.
5:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 15,016
Referee: Danielle Chesky
May 23 10 Utah Royals 1–3 Orlando Pride Sandy, Utah
7:30 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
  • Banda 6', 37', 38',  59'
Stadium: America First Field
Attendance: 11,668
Referee: John Griggs
June 6 11 Racing Louisville FC 3–2 Utah Royals Louisville, Kentucky
6:34 pm MDT (UTC-7)
Report
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 3,951
Referee: Adorae Monroy
June 13 12 Utah Royals v Gotham FC Sandy, Utah
7:30 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
June 21 13 Utah Royals v Seattle Reign FC Sandy, Utah
3:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
August 3 14 Orlando Pride v Utah Royals Orlando, Florida
4:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: Inter&Co Stadium
August 8 15 Utah Royals v Kansas City Current Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
August 15 16 Utah Royals v Angel City FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
August 23 17 Gotham FC v Utah Royals Harrison, New Jersey
5:30 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium
August 29 18 Portland Thorns FC v Utah Royals Portland, Oregon
8:30 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: Providence Park
September 6 19 North Carolina Courage v Utah Royals Cary, North Carolina
5:30 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
September 14 20 Utah Royals v Houston Dash Sandy, Utah
4:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
September 19 21 Utah Royals v Racing Louisville FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
September 27 22 Bay FC v Utah Royals San Jose, California
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: PayPal Park
October 5 23 Chicago Stars FC v Utah Royals Bridgeview, Illinois
2:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
October 11 24 Utah Royals v San Diego Wave FC Sandy, Utah
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: America First Field
October 17 25 Seattle Reign FC v Utah Royals Seattle, Washington
8:00 pm MDT (UTC-7) Report Stadium: Lumen Field
November 2 26 Utah Royals v Washington Spirit Sandy, Utah
Report Stadium: America First Field

Regular-season standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 Bay FC 13 4 3 6 14 17 −3 15
11 Angel City FC 13 4 3 6 20 24 −4 15
12 Houston Dash 13 3 2 8 13 22 −9 11
13 Chicago Stars FC 13 1 3 9 10 27 −17 6
14 Utah Royals 13 1 2 10 11 29 −18 5
Updated to match(es) played on June 22, 2025. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal differential; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head to head points; 6) head to head goal goals scored; 7) fewer disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (≥3 clubs tied)

Friendlies

June 12 San Diego Wave FC v Utah Royals San Diego, California
6:00 p.m. MDT (UTC-7) Stadium: Torero Stadium
July 20 Utah Royals v San Diego Wave FC Sandy, Utah
7:30 p.m. MDT (UTC-7) Stadium: America First Field

Squad statistics

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Clean sheets

Disciplinary record

Transactions

Contract operations

Contract options
Date Player Pos. Notes Ref.
September 19, 2024 Lauren Flynn
DF
Options exercised for 2025. [25]
Cristina Roque
GK
Re-signings
Date Player Pos. Notes Ref.
January 7, 2025 Paige Monaghan
FW
Re-signed to a three-year contract through 2027. [13]
January 9, 2025 Mandy McGlynn
GK
Re-signed to a five-year contract through 2029. [14]

Loans in

Date Player Pos. Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
January 10, 2025 Ana María Guzmán
DF
Bayern Munich Loaned through the 2025 NWSL season. [15]

Loans out

Date Player Pos. Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
January 28, 2025 Emily Gray
MF
Piteå IF Loaned through December 31, 2025. [26]

Transfers in

Date Player Pos. Previous club Fee/notes Ref.
December 11, 2024 KK Ream
FW
Utah Avalanche Signed with NWSL Under-18 Entry Mechanism to a three-year contract. [10]
December 18, 2024 Alex Loera
MF
Bay FC Traded in exchange for $25,000 in intra-league transfer fees and a 15% sell-on fee. [11]
December 30, 2024 Mia Justus
GK
Texas Longhorns Free agent rookie signed to a three-year contract. [12]
January 13, 2025 Aisha Solórzano
FW
Club Tijuana Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract. [21]
Tatumn Milazzo
DF
Chicago Stars FC Free agent signed to a two-year contract. [22]
January 29, 2025 Nuria Rábano
DF
VfL Wolfsburg Acquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract with a mutual option. [27]
March 4, 2025 Kayla Colbert
DF
USC Trojans Signed to a short-term injury replacement contract. [28]
Sydney Jones
DF
Ohio State Buckeyes Signed to a short-term injury replacement contract.
Aria Nagai
MF
North Carolina Tar Heels Signed to a Salary Cap Exempt contract.
March 6, 2025 Bianca St-Georges
FW
North Carolina Courage Signed to a one-year contract. [29]
March 7, 2025 Janni Thomsen
DF
Vålerenga Signed to a two-year contract with a mutual option. [30]
April 18, 2025 Cece Kizer
FW
Gotham FC Free agent signed to a two-year contract. [31]

Transfers out

Date Player Pos. Destination club Fee/notes Ref.
December 10, 2024 Hannah Betfort
FW
North Carolina Courage Out of contract. [9][32]
Zoe Burns
DF
FC Fleury 91 [9]
Julia Grosso
DF
Fort Lauderdale United FC [9]
Shaelan Murison
FW
Oakland Soul SC [9]
Darielle O'Brien
DF
[9]
Carly Nelson
GK
[9]
Cameron Tucker
FW
Levante UD [9]
January 13, 2025 Agnes Nyberg
MF
Rosenborg Released. [20]
Michele Vasconcelos
FW
Levante Badalona
March 14, 2025 Kayla Colbert
DF
Released. [33]
May 2, 2025 Sydney Jones
DF
Released. [34]
June 4, 2025 Cristina Roque
GK
Racing Louisville FC Traded in exchange for $50,000 in allocation money. [35]

Injury listings

Date Player Pos. List Injury Ref.
April 24, 2024 Alex Loera
MF
Season-ending injury Torn ACL sustained in 2024 with Bay FC. [36]
June 3, 2025 Knee injury sustained in a match against Angel City FC. [37]

Preseason trialists

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

Player Pos. Previous club Status Ref.
Jennifer Blitchok
FW
Western Michigan Broncos Not signed. [38]
Cora Brendle
GK
Utah State Aggies Not signed. [38]
Kayla Colbert
FW
USC Trojans Signed. [38]
Maryn Granger
DF
Utah Utes Not signed. [38]
Sydney Jones
DF
Ohio State Buckeyes Signed. [38]
Aria Nagai
MF
North Carolina Tar Heels Signed. [38]
Chloe Sadler
MF
La Roca Premier U18 trialist. Not signed. [38]

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 (November 1, 2024). "Utah Royals end season with 4-1 loss to reigning champ Gotham". www.ksl.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h rsl. "Utah Royals FC Announces 2025 Roster Decisions | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  10. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs 15-Year-Old KK Ream To Professional Contract | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  11. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Trades For Midfielder Alex Loera | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  12. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Adds Rookie Goalkeeper Mia Justus | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  13. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Paige Monaghan to Contract Extension | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  14. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn To Contract Extension | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  15. ^ a b 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. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Announces Three Player Departures | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  21. ^ a b rsl. "Utah Royals FC Signs Aisha Solórzano From Club Tijuana | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  22. ^ a b 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. ^ "Utah Royals FC Signs Former Gotham FC Attacker Cece Kizer | Utah Royals". rsl. April 18, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  32. ^ "NC Courage sign free agent forward Hannah Betfort". NC Courage. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  33. ^ @UtahRoyalsFC (March 14, 2025). "Thank you Kayla for your time as an injury replacement player! Best of luck in your next adventure 👑" (Tweet). Retrieved June 12, 2025 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ @UtahRoyalsFC (May 2, 2025). "All the best to you on your next adventure, Sydney 👑 Thank you for your time with Royalty!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 12, 2025 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "URFC Goalkeeper Cristina Roque Traded to Racing Louisville FC | Utah Royals". rsl. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  36. ^ "Bay FC midfielder Alex Loera to miss remainder of 2024 season with knee injury". Bay FC. April 24, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  37. ^ "URFC Midfielder Alex Loera Added to Season-Ending Injury List | Utah Royals". rsl. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g rsl. "URFC Releases 2025 Preseason Roster | Utah Royals". rsl. Retrieved February 2, 2025.