Utah Royals Potential 2020 Squad/Season; a thread

On January 6, 2020 the team mutually parted ways with head coach Laura Harvey. 1 month later on February 7, 2020 Craig Harrington was named the head coach of Utah Royals FC.

On March 3rd, 2020 Utah Royals get a tough pill to swallow. Captain Becky Sauerbrunn requests to leave and is traded to the Portland Thorns. Utah says goodbye to the first player they ever signed in their franchise history.

On March 10, 2020 new head coach Craig Harrington announces that USWNT veteran Amy Rodriguez will be Utah’s new captain going forward.

Utah Royal’s outgoing transfers:

Sauerbrunn https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Portland Thorns
Stengel https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Houston Dash
Doniak https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Chicago RS

Moros https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Waived
Farquharson https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Waived

Laddish https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Retirement
Tymrak https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Retirement
Miramontez https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> Retirement

Utah Royals incoming transfers:

Taylor Leach from Göteborg FC
Chestley Strother from Sundsvall
Elizabeth Ball from Portland Thorns
Arielle Ship from Washington Spirit
Aminata Diallo on loan from PSG

On January 16 the annual NWSL College Draft took place in Baltimore, Maryland.

With the 8th pick in the draft Utah picked Forward Tziarra King from NC State.

The 12th pick was Midfielder Kate Del Fava from Illinois State.

The final pick was Forward Cyera Hintzen from Texas.

Utah Royals have a total of 9 national team players in their squad:

Kelley O’Hara, USWNT
Christen Press, USWNT

Rachel Corsie, Scotland
Katie Bowen, New Zealand

Desiree Scott, Canada
Diana Marheson, Canada
Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir, Iceland

Players To Watch (if they participate):

Christen Press

Press is one of the best forwards in the womens game.She scored in all three group stage games of the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers. Press was awarded the Golden Ball and continued her great form at the She Believes Cup.

Players To Watch (if they participate):

Aminata Diallo

Coming on loan from PSG the 25 year will want to prove herself at this upcoming tournament. Diallo has 7 caps and 1 goal for the France NT. The french midfielder could bring that extra thing Utah’s midfield needs.

Players To Watch (if they participate):

Tziarra King

With her infectious attitude King might be exactly what the royals need up top. Coming from NC State she scored 48 goals and 19 assists in 88 games over the course of 4 years. Rookie of the tournament maybe?

Players To Watch (if they participate):

Taylor Leach

The 24 year old defender moves to Utah after a successful spell at Göteborg FC. Having played 86 games where she scored 6 goals and gave 3 assists. Leach has WCL experience. She is believed to be Sauerbrunn’s replacement.

Players To Watch (if they participate):

Amy Rodriguez

Newly announced captain and USWNT veteran Rodriguez still has everything a quality forward requires. Was Utah’s top scorer last NWSL season and has the right mentality to lead this team to succes.

Overall Utah’s biggest task will be to replace Becky Sauerbrunn’s absences.If URFC can start this tournament with a fully fit and present squad they might just do better than a lot of people think they will with a new coach, new players and maybe potentially some more transfers.