Ten Days Until the Home Opener. Ten New Faces.
In November of last year, the NWSL announced that Utah Royals FC would be acquiring the rights to all of the former FC Kansas City players – but don’t let that fool you -- the team looks very different than it did in 2017.
Since then, URFC has signed international stand-outs like the Norway Women’s National team striker, Elise Thorsnes, Australian midfielder, Katrina Gorry, and Icelandic star, MF Gunny Jonsdottir – as well as a plethora of new faces from the NWSL and 2018 Dispersal Draft. The addition of new members has completely changed the make-up and identity of this team. With ten days left before the inaugural home opener, let’s take a look at the ten new faces on URFC.
1.MF Gunny Jonsdottir – Jonsdottir was included in the first round of new signees, coming to the United States after a successful campaign in Norway with the Toppserien league. After scoring her first goal in the NWSL – and first goal in club history – Jonsdottir has already become a fan favorite and dependable stronghold in the midfield. In 2013, Jonsdottir helped Iceland advance to the FIFA Women's UEFA Cup Quarterfinals, and bagged crucial goals against Slovenia and Scotland in Women's UEFA 2016. As one of the top goal- scorers in Iceland WNT history, and with 48 caps under her belt, Jonsdottir arrives in Utah with more than 200 club games played and nearly 50 caps for the Iceland National Team. Jonsdottir holds a national championship, winning the 2012 Iceland Women's Cup while starting for Stjarnan FC. She also was a member of the Norway Toppserien league's 2017 runner-up, Valerenga FC, reaching nearly 2,000 minutes, 21 games and five career goals in a single season.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Gunny:“I came to learn about Gunny and learned that she is just my type of player...she is a nut-case, funny player... I think she is going to be a league favorite because she has a personality that is infectious...watch out for her...she is a talented woman...has had a lot of injuries, but now she is so athletic, so fit, and so strong, that she is in a really good place.”
2.DF Rachel Corsie – The Scotland WNT captain comes to Salt Lake City with over a decade of professional experience. Not only has Corsie played every minute of every match with URFC, she has played in over 96 games for the Scotland side, as well as scored 16 goals as a powerful center back. Corsie also boasts five Scottish Women’s League Cups (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015), a Supporter’s Player of the season (2014). Since making her NWSL debut in 2015 with the Seattle Reign, Corsie has played in over 44 games in the NWSL.
Head coach Laura Harvey on Corsie: “Corsie is our Scotland international player...She played for me in Seattle...and is very talented. We are lucky to have her.”
3.DF Brooke Elby – Elby was the Utah Royals FC’s 23rd pick of the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft, moving to Utah from the NWSL’s former Boston Breakers club. Elby made her first appearance for URFC last week in the road match against the Houston Dash, where she produced a dangerous shot on goal and steady support to the backline. Elby, who appeared in 13 matches during the NWSL 2017 season, logged over 800 minutes with the Boston Breakers. She made her professional career debut with Melbourne Victory on loan in Australia. Elby also had a successful career at the University of North Caroline Tar heels where she registered 73 games, with three career goals and seven assists.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Elby: “She can play multiple positions. I think her best position is as an outside back, but she can play in the midfield and higher up the field as well – very versatile.”
4.MF Katrina Gorry – The Matilda’s midfielder is expected to return to the NWSL on April 22 after completing her time with Australia for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Gorry currently has 59 caps and 14 goals for her national team side, and was both the 2014 Asia Football Confederation’s Player of the Year, and the 2014 Australia Player of the year. Gorry clinched the 2014 NWSL title with FC Kansas City. The Matilda star also spent some time playing in Japan for Vegalta Sendai, where she eared 14 caps in 2017.
Head coach Laura Harvey on Gorry:“Katrina played for FC Kansas City in 2014…and she has improved tremendously since 2014...she has just grown into who she is now...She is a star for the Australian national team and has played great for the Brisbane Roar in the off-season...so I am really excited for her to get here.”
5.FW Taylor Lytle – Lytle is another versatile player who knows how to sneak into the attack behind defenders and get shots on goal. She signed as a discovery player with Sky Blue FC in 2013, where she appeared in 21 of Sky Blue FC’s 22 season games. Lytle was also a member of the USWNT U-23 Four Nations Tournament in Spain, where she scored one goal. Lytle attended Texas Tech University where she scored 14 goals and registered 27 assists — setting a school assist record. She has since become an integral player for URFC.
Head coach Laura Harvey on Lytle: “Taylor is a wide player that is super clever. She comes in off the line and tries to find pockets of space to play in…she tends to never give the ball away, which is exactly what I want.”
6.FW Diana Matheson – Matheson is another trade that comes to Utah via Laura Harvey’s former team, Seattle Reign. A key player for the Canadian Women’s side, Matheson totals 169 caps for the senior team, scoring 16 goals in international tournaments. Best known for scoring the bronze medal-winning goal for Canada in the 92nd minute against France at the 2012 Olympics, Matheson has scored 23 goals in the NWSL since 2013. Matheson also won gold in the 2011 Pan American Games, and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Matheson’s name is also included in the list of women who have played every single minute for URFC.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Matheson:“Another Canadian international that played for me in Seattle, but never actually played because she tore her ACL...knowing what she had been through and what she has done and where she was physically, I know that this is the year that she is going to prove to everyone that she’s back...she’s got numerous caps for the Canadian national team...and when she is fit, she scores goals in this league...so she is someone we felt that we needed to get in... when she is on the field, she can impact.”
7.DF Kelley O’Hara – A prominent name in women’s soccer, O’Hara returns to the stadium where she scored her first goal for team USA. O’Hara was traded in 2017 from Sky Blue FC, where she appeared in 75 games, scoring 15 goals. A versatile player, O’Hara has played as both an attacking and defensive player in the NWSL and for the USWNT. With over 100 caps for team USA, O’Hara boasts a 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup gold medal, and a 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up. O’Hara also won an Olympic gold medal in 2012, and was a Herman Trophy winner in 2009 with the Stanford Cardinals.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on O’Hara: “She is a fantastic trainer and winner...that is the best thing I can say about Kelley is that she wants to win everything from the stupidest game in training to the eleven aside at the end of training...I think her grit and determination is something that is needed in this group...she has impacted well.”
8.GK Abby Smith – Playing every minute of the team’s inaugural season games so far, Smith has proven to be a wall between the frame, not allowing a single goal during the run of play. Smith was picked fifth in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, by the Boston Breakers, where she made 21 appearances. Smith also wore the US crest for several years as a member of the U-17, U-20, and U-23 teams, and was rostered on the senior side in May 2017 for friendlies against Sweden and Norway. A Plano native, she earned over 72 caps for the Texas Longhorns, where she finished her college career ranked first in the Big 12 Conference for 96 total saves, with a 5.33 saves-per-match. Her 30th career shutout in 2015 set a new school career shut out record.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Smith:“I think that if she plays well this year that she will find herself in the national team and in the World Cup...We just have to give her the platform to do that.”
9.FW Katie Stengel – Stengel is another one of the names who comes to Utah from the former Boston Breakers group, and has played substantial minutes in the last two games for URFC. Stengel was selected as the 14th pick of the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft, with 16 goals, including 7 goals with the USWNT youth teams. A 2012 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup champion, Stengel began her professional career in 2014 with the former USL W-league’s Angeles Blues. She then joined the female Bundesliga side for Bayern Munich, where she appeared in 20 matches, scoring 9 goals, and winning the league title.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Stengel:“Stengel is a classic, target number nine, that has played for multiple teams in the league and Bayern Munich in Germany...She can score goals in this league......she just works so hard.”
10.FW Elise Thorsnes – The Norwegian star made her NWSL debut against Orlando in the league’s opening weekend, creating ample opportunities in front of the goal. Thorsnes also plays as a forward for the Norway WNT, totaling 110 caps, and 17 goals. She played in every single game of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2009 European Championships, and was the Toppserien Golden Boot Winner in 2011 and 2013. Thorsnes comes to Salt Lake with three Toppserien championships, four Norweigan cup victories, and three Toppserien golden boots.
Head Coach Laura Harvey on Thorsnes: “We call her Thor...scored one of the best goals I have ever seen in training...she is very good...I have seen her play multiple times...and she is so good and can play in so many positions...she can play outside back... she is an accomplished soccer player...I’ve got high hopes for her.”
See Them in Action!
You only have ten days to buy your opening game tickets! Catch these women and the rest of URFC on Saturday, April 14, at Rio Tinto Stadium, as they take on the Chicago Red Stars (kick is set for 1:30 pm MT). Also opening the game with the national anthem is award-winning singer and songwriter, Rachel Platten, who will be hosting a post-game concert. This will be an historic day you won’t want to miss -- buy your tickets today atwww.utahroyalsfc.com, or by calling 844.Real.Tix.
