HERRIMAN, Utah (Tues., Dec. 12, 2023) – Utah Royals FC have acquired GK Mandy Haught from reigning NWSL Champions Gotham FC in exchange for $150,000 in Allocation Money and expansion draft protection this Friday.
On the road to winning the 2023 title, Haught appeared in all three 2023 NWSL Playoff matches for Gotham FC. With shutouts in the quarterfinals and semifinals, the former Virginia Tech star became only the third goalkeeper in NWSL history to post clean sheets in her first two career playoff starts. Haught and Gotham FC went on to capture the championship with a 2-1 win over OL Reign last month.
Utah Royals FC are set to return to the NWSL as a 2024 expansion side, along with Northern California’s Bay FC. The 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft, presented by Ally, is set to be held THIS FRIDAY, Dec. 15, beginning at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Utah Royals FC currently slated to select No. 2 overall. Fans can watch LIVE on CBS Sports Network as the two expansion sides can select up to 12 players each, with additional coverage via CBS Sports Golazo and the “Attacking Third” show & social accounts.
Before joining Gotham FC, Haught spent the 2022 season in Sweden’s top league, where she was named Norbotten’s Female Player of the Year after starting every game, recording seven shutouts, and becoming one of only three players in the league to play every single minute. The Jacksonville, Fla. native began her professional career with Sky Blue FC after being the club’s 20th overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft.
Haught returned to Gotham FC for the 2023 season after playing the 2022 season with Piteå IF in the Damallsvenska, the top league in Sweden. She made her 2023 season debut on May 7 in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars. The goalkeeper went on to appear in seven regular-season games, recording 630 minutes, 13 saves, and two shutouts en route to Gotham FC winning the 2023 NWSL Championship.
Just prior to Thanksgiving, the National Women’s Soccer League announced that the 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, will take place Friday, January 12 at 6 p.m. MT during the United Soccer Coaches Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. For the full list of draft rules and procedures, please click here.
Live coverage of the 2024 NWSL Draft, presented by Ally, will be televised on ION from 6 to 8 p.m. MT. All rounds of the draft will be streamed on ION Plus. Viewers can find access to ION in their area by visiting https://iontelevision.com/find-us.
