Utah Royals FC is thrilled to announce Michigan native and National Women’s Soccer League veteran Madison Pogarch as the Club’s latest signing. Pogarch joins the Royals after most recently playing for San Diego Wave FC, making 17 appearances last season and helping the Wave reach the NWSL Championship semifinals.
Here are three fast facts to get you up to speed on the URFC defender:
- Barrier Breaker
Born in Hartland, Michigan in 1997, Pogarch (affectionately referred to as Po) was a triple sport athlete at Hartland High School, lettering four times in soccer and being named all-state three times, twice in basketball and once in football, becoming HHS’s first ever female kicker. After playing three years at Central Michigan University in college, Pogarch transferred to Rutgers where she was named third team All Big 10. After going undrafted following her time in college, she played for two different semi-pro teams in her home state of Michigan before being picked up by the Portland Thorns in 2019.
- Need for Speed
Throughout her four years in Portland, Pogarch gradually gained more and more playing time as well as establishing herself as a great presence in the locker room. Pogarch was traded to the San Diego Wave in 2022, and enjoyed her best ever NWSL season this year in 2023, helping the Wave win the 2023 NWSL Shield. A speedy fullback, Pogarch was able to show off her ability to bolt upfield and get involved in the attack last season, finishing the year in the 83 percentile in shot-creating actions per game, 89 percentile for expected assists per game, and 92 percentile in goals + assist per game for fullbacks in the NWSL. She was also a great asset to the Wave in winning the ball back high up on the pitch, being in the 95 percentile in tackles won in the final third per game. Be sure to keep an eye out for Pogarch bombing up the wing at America First Field come next season.
- Community Impact
Pogarch made sure to make the most of her time while in Portland and San Diego, on and off the pitch. In Portland, Pogarch participated in the Club’s “Get Together Week” each year, dedicating her time to causes across her community.
“Stand Together Week really piqued my interest the first year and it has gotten better since,” Pogarch told Thorns.com. “Every year I get more excited and try to fit in as many fun projects as I can; I always take on another one if I’m able to.”
While in Portland, Pogarch also organized a fundraiser for The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth.
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.
