Utah Royals FC is thrilled to announce Imani Dorsey as the Club’s latest signing. The former NWSL Rookie of the Year joins the Royals from reigning champions Gotham FC and becomes the first player on the newest iteration of URFC to have a senior U.S. Women’s National Team cap.
- Blue Devil Baller
Dorsey was born in Elkridge, Maryland and enjoyed a successful high school career with Our Lady of Good Counsel High School where she was also called up to the USWNT U-18 team. For college, Dorsey traveled south to Durham where she would go on to have one of the greatest collegiate careers in Blue Devil history. By Dorsey’s senior year, her accolades became almost too numerous to count, but included 2017 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, 2017 United Coaches National Athlete Scholar of the Year, 2017 All-American, 2017 Mac Hermann Semi-finalist and more. Dorsey would then be drafted fifth overall in the 2018 NWSL draft to Sky Blue FC (now Gotham FC). Her rookie season, she’d become the first former Blue Devil to win the NWSL Rookie of the Year award which she won following the 2018 NWSL season.
- For Club, Country and Community.
After Dorsey’s incredible rookie season with Sky Blue FC which saw her record four goals and one assist, the Maryland native would earn her first Senior USWNT call-up. Dorsey would continue to be a consistent contributor to Sky Blue FC/Gotham through the 2022 NWSL season, racking up 72 regular season appearances across four seasons with the Club, 67 of them being starts. 2021 would prove to be a special year for Dorsey who earned her first USWNT cap on November 30, 2021 against Australia. Later that year, Dorsey would win U.S. Soccer’s first One Nation. Social Impact Award for her work with the . Per U.S. Soccer, the award honors a player from the U.S. Soccer’s National Team programs for their off-field contributions making a positive impact in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Mental Health Matters
In 2023, Dorsey decided to step away from soccer to focus on her mental health. The new Royal and 2023 NWSL Champion released a statement on instagram detailing her decision which fans can read here. URFC is fully committed to supporting and championing its players' mental health and look forward to helping Dorsey return to the pitch during the 2024 NWSL season.
Don’t forget to secure your seat at America First Field for next season and help celebrate the Return of Royalty. Season tickets are available here.
