2024 Utah Royals season explained

Club:Utah Royals
Season:2024
Stadium:America First Field
League:NWSL
League Result:11th of 14
Chrtitle:Sporting Director
Chairman:Kelly Cousins
Ownertitle:Owners
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Jimmy Coenraets (interim since June 30; permanent since October 24)
Amy Rodriguez (until June 30)
Highest Attendance:20,370
(Mar 16 vs CHI)
Lowest Attendance:7,491
(May 25 vs KC)
Average Attendance:10,304
League Topscorer:Cloé Lacasse (4)
Season Topscorer:Ally Sentnor (5)
Cup1:NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup
Cup1 Result:Group stage
Pattern La1:_navyborder
Pattern B1:_utahroyals24h
Pattern Ra1:_navyborder
Leftarm1:FDB71A
Body1:FDB71A
Rightarm1:FDB71A
Shorts1:0E1735
Socks1:FDB71A
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Leftarm2:6B80AA
Body2:0E1735
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American:true
Prevseason:2020
Nextseason:2025
Updated:January 12, 2025

The 2024 Utah Royals season marks the team's fourth season of existence in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top division of the American soccer pyramid. This season marks the team's first since 2020, after which the original club relocated to become the Kansas City Current.[1] The club plays its home games at America First Field in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy. The club's head coach is Jimmy Coenraets, who served as interim head coach following the firing of former Royal and national team player Amy Rodriguez[2] and was named the permanent head coach on october 24.[3]

Staffing changes

On April 19, 2023, the Royals hired former Royals player and USC Trojans women's soccer assistant coach Amy Rodriguez as the club's head coach. The role was Rodriguez's first as a head coach.[4] [5] Club president Michelle Hyncik was a high-school teammate of Rodriguez's and offered the role to Rodriguez.[6]

On July 18, 2023, the Royals hired former Reading F.C. Women manager Kelly Cousins as the club's first sporting director.[7] [8]

On March 13, 2024, the Royals announced the hiring of Reno MVLA Soccer Club coaching director Vanessa Mann and D.C. United assistant coach Frédéric Brillant as the club's assistant coaches, and UConn Huskies women's soccer assistant coach Maryse Bard-Martel as goalkeeping coach.[9]

On May 20, Brillant was announced as the head coach for DC Power FC of the newly formed USL Super League.[10] [11]

On June 7, the Royals hired Oud-Heverlee Leuven manager Jimmy Coenraets as an assistant coach and Sam Lismont as a performance analyst.[12]

After 11 league matches and a record putting the team in last place, the Royals organization fired Rodriguez and Bard-Martel on June 30. The Royals also reassigned team president Michelle Hyncik, who had hired Rodriguez, to a position with the Blitzer Family Office and appointed Coenraets as the team's interim head coach.[13]

On October 9, the Royals hired former Bristol City Women goalkeeping coach James White as the team's goalkeeping coach. White had previously worked for Cousins at Reading Women.[14]

On October 24, the Royals named Coenraets the club's permanent head coach and announced that he had signed a contract to remain with the club through the 2027 season.[3]

Club

Roster

[15] [16]

On loan

Competitions

NWSL regular season

See main article: 2024 National Women's Soccer League season.

The Royals were eliminated from playoff contention after Bay FC defeated the North Carolina Courage on October 19.[17]

Standings

NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup

See main article: 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The Utah Royals competed in the first edition of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. Group stage play began on July 19. The Royals finished at the top of Group A, but were the fifth-ranked group winner of the five groups and failed to advance to the tournament's knockout rounds.

Matches

Statistics

Squad appearances

No.Pos.Nat.PlayerTotalNWSL Regular SeasonSummer Cup
AppsStartsAppsStartsAppsStarts
Goalkeepers
1GKMandy Haught2525242411
27GKCarly Nelson111100
32GKCristina Roque331122
Defenders
3DFOlivia Griffitts1514131321
5DFLauren Flynn1210121000
8DFKate Del Fava2929262633
12DFZoe Burns2416211432
16DFMadison Pogarch2824252133
17DFAna Tejada1818151533
18DFKaleigh Riehl1717141433
23DFDarielle O'Brien100010
28DFImani Dorsey222200
Midfielders
6MFAgnes Nyberg12811810
14MFMacey Fraser424200
21MFMikayla Cluff11511500
22MFDana Foederer2621231733
26MFClaudia Zornoza1010101000
Forwards
4FWPaige Monaghan2523222033
7FWMichele Vasconcelos17215220
9FWAlly Sentnor2323212122
15FWBrecken Mozingo2113181033
20FWCameron Tucker19418311
24FWCloé Lacasse989800
29FWMina Tanaka777700
33FWHannah Betfort2721241833
Other players (Departed during season, short-term loan, etc.)
2MFEllie Boren200020
10MFAmandine Henry10910900
11FWIfeoma Onumonu303000
13DFAddisyn Merrick714130
19MFFrankie Tagliaferri646400
24MFEmily Gray020200
35FWShaelan Murison614120

Goals

RankPlayerTotalNWSL Regular SeasonSummer Cup
1 Ally Sentnor532
2 Hannah Betfort422
Cloé Lacasse440
4 Paige Monaghan321
5 Kate Del Fava220
Brecken Mozingo202
Ana Tejada220
Cameron Tucker211
Michele Vasconcelos211
Claudia Zornoza220
11 Dana Foederer110
Olivia Griffitts110
Mina Tanaka110

Assists

RankPlayerTotalNWSL Regular SeasonSummer Cup
1 Ally Sentnor541
2 Dana Foederer422
3 Paige Monaghan312
Claudia Zornoza330
5 Ana Tejada211
6Shaelan Murison101
Kaleigh Riehl110
Michele Vasconcelos110

Clean sheets

RankPlayerTotalNWSL Regular SeasonSummer Cup
1 Mandy Haught440
2 Cristina Roque110

Transactions

2024 NWSL Expansion Draft

See main article: 2024 NWSL expansion draft. The 2024 NWSL expansion draft was held on December 18, 2023.[18]

PlayerPrevious team
2 Elyse BennettSeattle Reign FC[19]
4 Paige MonaghanRacing Louisville FC
6PASS
8PASS
10PASS

2024 NWSL Draft

See main article: 2024 NWSL Draft. Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2024 NWSL Draft was held on January 12, 2024.

PlayerCollegeStatus
11 Ally SentnorUniversity of North CarolinaSigned to a three-year contract on February 19, 2024.[20] [21]
14 Brecken MozingoBrigham Young UniversitySigned to a two-year contract with an option on February 23, 2024.[22]
216 Lauren FlynnFlorida State UniversitySigned to a one-year contract with an option on March 12, 2024.[23]
220 Olivia GriffittsBrigham Young UniversitySigned to a one-year contract with an option on March 21, 2024.[24]
226 Emma JaskaniecUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonNot signed.
329 Zoe BurnsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSigned to a one-year contract on March 7, 2024.[25]
333 Cristina RoqueFlorida State UniversitySigned to a one-year contract with an option on March 13, 2024.[26]

Transfers in

DatePlayerPrevious clubFee/notes
November 15, 2023 Mikayla Cluff Orlando PrideTraded in exchange for $90,000 in Allocation Money and protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[29]
November 20, 2023 Kaleigh Riehl San Diego Wave FCTraded in exchange for $60,000 in Allocation Money and protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[30]
Emily Gray North Carolina CourageTraded in exchange for $30,000 in Allocation Money and protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[31]
Frankie Tagliaferri
November 21, 2023 Michele Vasconcelos Portland Thorns FCFree agent signed to a two-year contract.[32]
November 29, 2023 Imani Dorsey NJ/NY Gotham FCFree agent signed to a two-year contract.[33]
December 7, 2023 Madison Pogarch San Diego Wave FCFree agent signed to a two-year contract.[34]
December 12, 2023 Mandy Haught NJ/NY Gotham FCTraded in exchange for $150,000 in Allocation Money and protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[35]
Kate Del Fava Kansas City CurrentTraded, along with the 4th overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, in exchange for $75,000 in Allocation Money and protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[36]
Hannah Betfort Portland Thorns FCTraded, along with $10,000 if allocation money and the 33rd overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft, in exchange for protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[37]
Carly Nelson Orlando PrideTraded, along with $65,000 in allocation money, in exchange for a 2024 international roster spot.[38]
Cameron Tucker Houston DashTraded, along with $50,000 of allocation money, in exchange for protection in the 2024 NWSL expansion draft.[39]
December 18, 2023 Addisyn Merrick Kansas City CurrentFree agent signed to a two-year contract.[40]
December 30, 2023 Ifeoma Onumonu NJ/NY Gotham FCTraded in exchange for $40,000 in allocation money.[41]
January 2, 2024 Agnes Nyberg IK UppsalaFree agent signed to a two-year contract.[42]
January 5, 2024 Dana Foederer Fortuna SittardAcquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a two-year contract.[43]
April 16, 2024 Macey Fraser Wellington Phoenix FCAcquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract with an option.[44]
April 20, 2024 Amandine Henry Angel City FCTraded in exchange for $75,000 of allocation money.[45]
April 22, 2024 Ana Tejada Real SociedadAcquired in exchange for an undisclosed fee and signed to a three-year contract with an option.[46]
July 5, 2024 Mina Tanaka INAC Kobe LeonessaFree agent signed to a two-year contract through 2025.[47]
July 12, 2024 Claudia Zornoza Real MadridSigned to a two-year contract through 2025 with an option.[48]
July 17, 2024 Ellie Boren BYU CougarsSigned to a national team replacement contract.[49]
Shaelan Murison Oakland Soul SC
Darielle O'Brien United City FC Women
August 14, 2024 Cloé Lacasse ArsenalSigned to a four-year contract through 2027.[50]
September 1, 2024 Julia Grosso Melbourne CityFree agent signed to a one-year contract through the remainder of 2024.[51]
September 5, 2024 Shaelan Murison Utah RoyalsSigned to a national team replacement contract.[52]

Transfers out

DatePlayerDestination clubFee/notes
December 17, 2023 Elyse Bennett San Diego Wave FCTraded in exchange for $40,000 in allocation money.[53]
August 19, 2024 Shaelan Murison Utah RoyalsNational team replacement players released.[54]
Ellie Boren
September 5, 2024 Addisyn Merrick Carolina Ascent FCMutual contract termination.[55]
September 6, 2024 Ifeoma Onumonu MontpellierMutual contract termination.[56]
Amandine Henry Deportivo TolucaMutual contract termination.[57]
October 10, 2024 Frankie TagliaferriWaived.[58]

Injury listings

DatePlayerListInjury
April 11, 2024 Imani DorseySeason-ending injuryRuptured left Achilles sustained in match against the North Carolina Courage.[59]
August 28, 2024 Lauren FlynnSeason-ending injuryBilateral compartment syndrome in lower legs.[60]
October 30, 2024 Cloé LacasseSeason-ending injuryRuptured ACL and sprained MCL sustained in match against Angel City FC.[61]

Notes and References

  1. News: NWSL Awards Expansion Team Rights to Utah. RSL.com. 2024-02-04. en-US.
  2. News: U.S. Women’s National Team Legend Amy Rodriguez Named Utah Royals FC Head Coach. RSL.com. 2024-02-04. en-US.
  3. News: Utah Royals hire Jimmy Coenraets as head coach through 2027 . October 24, 2024 . October 24, 2024 . . . Meg . Linehan.
  4. News: Utah Royals hire former USWNT player Amy Rodriguez as manager . April 19, 2023 . October 21, 2024 . . . registration.
  5. News: Why Amy Rodriguez's career is coming 'full circle' with Utah Royals FC, and the high school teammate who brought her back . April 20, 2023 . October 21, 2024 . Salt City FC . Sean . Walker.
  6. News: How 2 high school teammates reunited as leaders of Utah Royals . April 20, 2023 . October 21, 2024 . . KSL.com . Caleb . Turner.
  7. Utah Royals FC Name Kelly Cousins (Chambers) As First-Ever Sporting Director . July 18, 2023 . October 21, 2024 . Utah Royals.
  8. News: Utah Royals name Kelly Cousins, former Reading Women’s manager, as first sporting director . July 18, 2023 . October 21, 2024 . . . registration.
  9. URFC Unveils 2024 Coaching Staff . March 13, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . Utah Royals.
  10. News: Washington's new women’s soccer team gets a name, logo and coach . May 20, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . subscription . Steven . Goff.
  11. News: DC's new women's pro-soccer team unveils name, identity ahead of USL Super League launch . WJLA.com . . May 20, 2024 . October 21, 2024.
  12. Jimmy Coenraets And Sam Lismont Join Utah Royals FC Coaching Staff . June 7, 2024 . . October 21, 2024.
  13. News: Last-place Utah Royals fire head coach Amy Rodriguez . June 30, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . . Jeff . Kassouf.
  14. Utah Royals Announce James White as Goalkeeper Coach . October 9, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . Utah Royals.
  15. Web site: Roster . Utah Royals . rsl.com . October 21, 2024.
  16. 2024 Utah Royals Media Guide . January 22, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . Utah Royals.
  17. News: Utah Royals lose Lacasse, settle for 1-1 draw in final road game . October 20, 2024 . October 21, 2024 . . ksl.com . Caleb . Turner.
  18. Web site: 2021-12-17 . NWSL Expansion Draft results, tracker: San Diego Wave trade Kristie Mewis, Angel City FC get Dani Weatherholt . 2025-01-06 . CBSSports.com . en.
  19. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Adds Two In NWSL Expansion Draft Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  20. Web site: rsl . URFC Select Seven Players in 2024 NWSL Draft Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  21. Web site: rsl . Former UNC Standout Signs With Utah Royals FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  22. Web site: rsl . Utah Native Signs Contract With Utah Royals FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  23. Web site: rsl . Former FSU Defender Signs With Utah Royals FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  24. Web site: rsl . Olivia Griffitts Puts Pen To Paper With Utah Royals FC Real Salt Lake . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  25. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Secures Canadian Defender Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  26. Web site: rsl . Two-Time NCAA Champion Signs With Utah Royals FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  27. Web site: rsl . URFC Signs Darielle O'Brien As Injury Replacement Player Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  28. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Loans Emily Gray To Odense Boldklub Q For Remainder Of 2024 Season Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  29. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Acquires Kaysville's Own Mikayla Cluff From Orlando Pride Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  30. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Acquires Kaleigh Riehl From San Diego Wave FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  31. Web site: TRADE: Courage receive expansion draft protection from Utah Royals FC . 2025-01-06 . NC Courage . en-US.
  32. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Signs Sandy Native Michele Vasconcelos Via NWSL Free Agency Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  33. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Signs NWSL Free Agent Imani Dorsey Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  34. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals Signs NWSL Free Agent Madison Pogarch Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  35. Web site: rsl . Royals Acquire Mandy Haught via Trade with Gotham Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  36. Web site: rsl . URFC Acquires Kate Del Fava & 2024 Draft Pick From KC Current Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  37. Web site: rsl . URFC Acquires Hannah Betfort From Thorns Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  38. Web site: rsl . Utah Native Carly Nelson Joins URFC Via Trade With Orlando Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  39. Web site: rsl . URFC Acquires Cameron Tucker from Houston Dash Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  40. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Sign FW Addisyn Merrick Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  41. Web site: rsl . URFC Acquires Forward Ify Onumonu From Gotham FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  42. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Signs 23-Year-Old Free Agent MF Agnes Nyberg Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  43. Web site: rsl . URFC Sign Dutch Youth International Dana Foederer Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  44. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Adds New Zealander To Roster Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  45. Web site: rsl . French Midfielder Bolsters Utah Royals FC Squad Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  46. Web site: rsl . Spanish Defender Joins Utah Royals FC Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  47. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Signs Japanese Olympian Through 2025 Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  48. Web site: rsl . Claudia Zornoza Signs With Utah Royals FC Through 2025 Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  49. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Signs Three Players As National Team Replacement Players Real Salt Lake . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  50. Web site: rsl . Cloé Lacasse Joins Utah Royals FC From Arsenal W.F.C. Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  51. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Adds Defender Julia Grosso Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  52. Web site: rsl . Shaelan Murison Re-Signs With URFC As National Team Replacement Player Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  53. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Sends Elyse Bennett To San Diego Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  54. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals FC Announces National Team Replacement Roster Updates Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  55. Web site: rsl . URFC Parts Ways With Defender Addisyn Merrick Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  56. Web site: rsl . URFC Mutually Parts Ways With Ifeoma Onumonu Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  57. Web site: rsl . URFC And Midfielder Amandine Henry Mutually Agree To Part Ways Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  58. Web site: rsl . Utah Royals Part Ways With Midfielder Frankie Tagliaferri Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  59. Web site: rsl . URFC Defender Imani Dorsey Placed On Season-Ending Injury List Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  60. Web site: rsl . URFC Defender Lauren Flynn Placed On Season-Ending Injury List Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.
  61. Web site: rsl . URFC Forward Cloé Lacasse Added To Season-Ending Injury List Utah Royals . 2025-01-06 . rsl . en.