UTAH ROYALS FC ANNOUNCE ROSTER AHEAD OF 2020 NWSL CHALLENGE CUP PRESENTED BY P&G AND SECRET
Roster Features 28 Players to Compete in Condensed 2020 Tournament Schedule
SANDY, Utah
– (Tuesday, June 23, 2020) –
Utah Royals FC
today announced its roster that will feature in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret that will take place in Utah.
The Utah Royals FC roster for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Nicole Barnhart, Abby Smith, Melissa Lowder
Defenders:
Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie, Taylor Leach, Gaby Vincent, Katie Bowen, Kelley O’Hara (FED-USA), Mallory Weber, Marissa Sheva, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf
Midfielders:
Vero Boquete (INTL), Diana Matheson (FED-CAN), Desiree Scott (FED-CAN), Chestley Strother, Lo’eau Labonta, Aminata Diallo (INTL), Gunny Jonsdottir, Kate Del Fava (CDP)
Forwards:
Brittany Ratcliffe, Amy Rodriguez, Arielle Ship, Tziarra King (CDP), Taylor Lytle, Holly Daugirda, Raisa Strom-Okimoto
FED-USA: USWNT
FED-CAN: Canadian Women’s National Team
INTL: International
CDP: College Draft Pick
Forward Christen Press will not feature for Utah Royals FC during the tournament.
“It is deeply painful not to be able to play the game I love, and to watch the broader effects of the global pandemic on our league, sports, and our world,” Press said. “Regrettably, given the uncertainty created by COVID-19, I must elect not to participate in this tournament. I know how fortunate I am to be able to make this choice. I have enormous respect and gratitude for those who do not have the luxury to choose whether to report to work, including our selfless and heroic first responders. I look forward to supporting my teammates during the tournament in Utah.”
“We will miss Christen’s presence at the tournament both on and off the field,” URFC General Manager
Stephanie Lee
said. “Regardless, we respect her decision.”
URFC sees 20 players from its 2019 roster remain with the club ahead of the tournament commencement, led by veteran striker Amy Rodriguez. She is joined by goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart as well as the defensive core of Rachel Corsie, Katie Bowen and Kelley O’Hara along the backline. In the midfield, URFC will see Vero Boquete return for her second season in Utah alongside Gunny Jonsdottir and Desiree Scott. Joining Rodriguez to spearhead the attack is Brittany Ratcliffe who returns to action after missing the 2019 season due to injury alongside newcomer Arielle Shipp.
New faces join the squad for the condensed 2020 season as 2020 NWSL Draft picks Tziarra King and Kate Del Fava look set to make their professional debuts in Utah. A two-sport athlete at Penn State University, Marissa Sheva will feature on the roster for URFC after spending the early part of the 2020 season in the Spanish second division with Deportivo Alavés. Aminata Diallo is expected to join the team this week.
