On
Saturday, March 24
, the
Utah Royals FC
will kickoff their highly-anticipated inaugural NWSL season against the
Orlando Pride
. The team has endured a rigorous preseason of fitness tests, scrimmages, and travel — and now are looking to reap the fruits of their labor.
Here are five things to look forward to on Saturday.
1.)
The NWSL
Established in 2012, the National Women’s Soccer League is the longest running women’s professional league in the United States. It not only represents the highest level of women’s soccer in the country, but, is arguably the most elite in the world.
The NWSL season runs from March to September, totaling 24 games. At the end of the regular season, the team with the most points is awarded the season title, with three other clubs joining them for the NWSL playoffs.
In 2017, the NWSL announced a three-year deal with A+E Networks, and Lifetime, to broadcast 22 regular-season matches as the “NWSL Game of the Week”.
Utah Royals FC
is slated for a handful of these national broadcasts, including the home opener against the
Chicago Red Stars
on
Saturday, April 14
, at
Rio Tinto Stadium
.
2.)
Utah Royals FC
Established on December 1, 2017, it’s remarkable what URFC has achieved
in just over 100 days
.
URFC has built a full roster, unveiled a million dollar locker room, gone undefeated in preseason (2-0-0), and locked in the largest jersey front sponsor in American Women’s soccer history with
Conservice, The Utility Experts
.
The team will play in one of the most iconic stadiums in North America —
Rio Tinto Stadium
— which boasts a history of women’s national team success and championship teams.
3
.)
Laura Harvey
Leading the Utah Royals FC is two-time NWSL coach of the year,
Laura Harvey
. Originally from England, Harvey played professionally for Birmingham City, before making the transition to the coaching world. After success with the Birmingham City Ladies, the U-17/U-19/U-23 England WNT, and Arsenal LFC (winning multiple league titles, two continental cups, and an FA cup), Harvey moved to the United States to coach in the NWSL.
Harvey won the 2014 and 2015 NWSL Coach of the year while making to two-consecutive league championship appearances, and was later considered to be a finalist for the FIFA World Coach of the Year.
4
.)
International Flair
URFC is well represented with talent from around the globe. The Utah Royals FC roster boasts members from Canada
(Diana Matheson and Desiree Scott)
, Iceland
(Gunnhildur Jonsdottir)
, Norway
(Elise Thorsnes)
, Australia
(Katrina Gorry)
, and New Zealand
(Katie Bowen)
. The team is also home to heralded USWNT members
Kelley O’Hara,
Becky Sauerbrunn & Amy Rodriguez.
With the NWSL being an incredibly diverse league, you can expect to see stars from around the world on a regular basis at
Rio Tinto Stadium
.
5.)
Saturday’s Match
You can be a part of history
this
Saturday,
as URFC takes on perennial NWSL powerhouse, Orlando Pride.
Tune in on KMYU or stream the match for free on the KSL TV app.
