HERRIMAN, Utah (Wed., Nov. 29, 2023) – Utah Royals FC today added forward Imani Dorsey to its expansion 2024 roster via free agency, as the former Gotham FC player inked a new deal for the 2024/25 NWSL seasons. Dorsey was selected fifth overall in the NWSL Draft by Sky Blue FC in 2018 – honored as that season’s NWSL Rookie of the Year – and has played 72 games in the NWSL over the last five years for New York-based Sky Blue, which rebranded as Gotham FC prior to the 2021 season. Dorsey scored six times for reigning NWSL champions Gotham, a total which includes four goals during that 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign.
“When I heard about URFC return, I was intrigued about the possibility of playing here,” said Dorsey, acknowledging the level of investment and thought and care across all aspects of the new era for Utah Royals FC. “I came into the league in 2018, so during those first few seasons, traveling to Salt Lake City, this was a place I was very excited to experience. From the outside looking in, the amenities this Club built up for women’s soccer was to be admired – setting the League standard even then.”
“The vision for this Club is so inspiring, the attention to detail shown by (Head Coach) Amy Rodriguez and (Sporting Director) Kelly Cousins makes me so excited for the second Royals iteration to create one of the premier destinations for soccer in the entire world, and I’m grateful to be asked to be a part of this expansion side. I am very excited to help grow Utah’s soccer culture. That’s one of the joys of being a professional, to being a part of the energy and the emotion of the crowd, the community, inspiring the next generation. I cannot wait to dive head-first into the Utah experience.”
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 on 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. Details regarding January’s NWSL draft will soon be unveiled at www.NWSL.com.
Prior to being drafted in 2018 by Sky Blue, Dorsey – a native of Olney, Maryland – enjoyed a stellar career at Duke University, scoring 29 goals in 87 games with the Blue Devils, earning Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year amongst several honors collected during her senior season (2017).
In late 2021, Dorsey made her United States Women’s National Team debut, playing 14 minutes off the bench in a friendly against Australia.
“We are so excited to give Imani the opportunity to extend her career and establish the foundation here in Utah,” said URFC Sporting Director Kelly Cousins. “Imani has accomplished so much as a young professional; she has seen and felt numerous highs and lows during her professional and college careers, as well as during her time with the youth and senior national teams. We expect her to share those experiences and provide leadership and guidance in our locker room, as we look ahead to building this roster further in the coming days and weeks.”
