URFC Trade Rights to Heather O’Reilly, Clubs Also Exchange 2019 Draft Picks;
Sixth-Place Royals FC to Host Sky Blue FC at Home on Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
SANDY, UT (Thursday, June 28, 2018) – Utah Royals FC (4-3-6, 18 pts., NWSL 6th place) acquired MF Makenzy Doniak as well as a 2019 third-round draft pick from the North Carolina Courage in exchange for the rights to former FC Kansas City FW Heather O’Reilly and a 2019 NWSL Second-Rounder, Head Coach Laura Harvey and Managing Director Stephanie Lee announced today.
Doniak – who appeared in 23 games last season for the Courage – was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NWSL College Draft by the Western New York Flash, where she played in 22 games and scored four goals during her rookie season. The University of Virginia product also enjoyed a successful college career, playing for one of the top women’s programs in the nation, and registering 64 goals for the Cavaliers in just 86 games.
Like many of her URFC teammates, Doniak recently returned from playing overseas in the Australian W-League for Adelaide United, where she scored seven goals in 12 games. After a successful stint in the “land down under,” Doniak tore her ACL during Courage preseason camp in February, forcing her to miss the 2018 season.
In exchange for Doniak, Utah Royals FC sends the rights to former USWNT MF Heather O’Reilly - who recently played overseas with Arsenal FC Ladies in England – and a 2019 NWSL second-round pick. O’Reilly, whose rights were assigned to Utah by the League, has been playing professionally for nearly a decade, boasting three Olympic gold medals and one FIFA Women’s World Cup championship.
Utah Royals FC remain home at Rio a Tinto Stadium Saturday, hosting Sky Blue FC for an 8:00 p.m. MT kickoff, broadcast locally via KMYU, the KSL app, and on radio station ESPN 700 AM, with Greg Wrubell and Carla Haslam providing the call.
Born just eight months ago and already supported by nearly 5,000 season ticket holders, Utah Royals FC tickets are available by calling 844.Real.Tix or visiting www.UtahRoyalsFC.com.
Player: Makenzy Doniak
Position: Forward
Height: 5’ 8”
Date of Birth: February 25, 1994
Hometown: Chino Hills, CA
Previous Club: N.C. Courage
How acquired: N.C. Courage trade for rights to Heather O’Reilly and one future draft pick
